FINAL PRESENATATION AND DISCUSSION

For our final presentation, we used a number of various methods to cover our theme. Our last project focused on the shift from collodion cameras to artificial intelligence. We began with a performance art piece that represented how the Collodian camera functioned. Franciso had disguised himself as someone from that age who worked as a photographer. Next, we discussed the progress of the film and digital cameras. We first discussed the Canon AE-1 Program, a breakthrough camera with automated shutter speed and aperture settings. Following that, Ava talked about her camera and how sophisticated it is compared to the film camera I brought in. Her objective was to be able to record videos on her camera and see the images instantly. Next, I showed a film that I created utilizing photogrammetry and artificial intelligence. I was able to record my facial expressions and transfer them to a metahuman (the most lifelike avatar known to exist). Our final act was an in-class participation exercise in which everyone was given the option of coming up with six words for Krea, an AI picture generator.

Here is the link to the video that I created for this final presentation:

https://vimeo.com/939766130?share=copy

Quiz 3

 Quiz 3

1. Futurism

2. Giacomo Balla

3. Constructivism

4. Supremacist

5. Supremacism

6. Bauhaus

7. Hugo Ball

8. retinal art

9. Cabaret Voltaire

10. readymades

11. Postmodernists

12. combine

13. Joseph Beuys

14. Etienne Jules Marey

15. Muybridge

16. Louis Le Prince

17-18. kinetograph, Kinetoscope

19. Cinematograph

20-21. mechanical TV, electronic TV

22. sensors

23. experimental 

24. Surrealist

POST #19 READING AND GRQ – ANNE COLLINS GOODYEAR LAUNCHING "HYBRID PRACTICES"IN THE 1960s On the Perils and Promise of Art and Technology

 Discussion

Get into your groups Computers do not create art, people using computers create art. Despite decades of procedural and computer-generated art, there has never been a computer widely accepted as the author of an artwork. How do you all feel about this statement – especially with the new AI art that is being generated.

The claim that "computers do not create art; people using computers create art" is at the center of current discussions concerning the nature of creativity and the role of technology in the arts. This remark stresses computers' tool-like role in the artistic process, implying that, despite their involvement in art creation, human artists provide the creative impetus and intellectual direction.

 

In the context of AI and computer-generated art, this viewpoint becomes more complicated. AI systems, such as DALL-E and OpenAI's GPT series, may generate graphics, music, and written prose based on user-defined criteria. These technologies employ complex algorithms to generate results that can resemble the stylistic qualities of human-made art. However, while these results might be startling and visually appealing, the issue of authorship remains disputed.

 

The basic argument for believing that computers do not create art is based on an understanding of creativity and intentionality. Art has always involved not only aesthetic execution but also intention and context—qualities that are inherent in humans and now beyond the capabilities of AI. Computers and artificial intelligence (AI) function within the parameters of their programming and the data on which they are educated, with human designers providing guidance.

 

However, as AI technology advances and gets more sophisticated, the boundaries may blur. For the time being, computers are crucial instruments that augment human artists' creative capacities; nonetheless, they do not replace the essential human touch in conceptualizing and valuing art. The role of AI in art forces us to rethink creativity and authorship in the digital age while embracing both the benefits and drawbacks of these technological advances.

GRQ

1. 9 Evenings: Theatre & Engineering

2. E.A.T.

3. Sputnik

4. The Two Cultures and the Scientific Revolution

5. Allan Kaprow's

6. Billy Kluver

7. Rauchenberg

8. John Cage

9. 'intermedia'

10. Fluxus

11. happenings

12. performances

13. Pepsi-Cola

14. Singer

15. the war in Vietnam and an economic recession

16. the Artists' Cooperation Program

POST #18 – LECTURE - ELECTRONIC MEDIA and PERFORMANCE

Experimental film defies straightforward categorization. This genre rejects the rules of classic narrative and documentary cinema, resulting in a vast and diversified universe that is nearly indefinable. Experimental films are not limited to narrating narratives or portraying characters; they frequently ignore a clear message. These films range from extremely emotive to mundanely uninteresting, intensely personal to blatantly political. They represent a synthesis of artistic elements such as photography, music, painting, and dance, extending these techniques beyond the narrative confines of conventional cinema to investigate pure aesthetic art.

The field of experimental filmmaking provides significant creative freedom, with directors such as Maya Deren and Peter Tscherkassky defying traditional rules to push the boundaries of cinematic expression. Deren's unfinished piece The Witch's Cradle exhibits this, employing repeated, surreal visuals to create an unpleasant, dream-like mood that delves into deeper questions of perception and reality without following a traditional narrative structure.

Marcel Duchamp and László Moholy-Nagy had a profound impact on experimental cinema. Duchamp's involvement in Deren's film demonstrates his desire to push and redefine creative boundaries, similar to his earlier works that shattered traditional art forms. Moholy-Nagy's explorations with light and movement provided the groundwork for engaging audiences beyond passive observation, predicting interactions common in digital art and cinema.

These filmmakers and artists use unconventional forms, such as 16mm film, and incorporate digital media and multimedia installations to enhance the genre's dynamic and immersive aspects. Experimental cinema is more than just violating boundaries; it is also about redefining them and fostering the ongoing study of new ideas and techniques.

Similarly, Tscherkassky's Outer Space recontextualizes horror film footage to examine themes of identity and alienation, using a frantic and disorienting editing style that defies the viewer's expectations of continuity and coherency. These filmmakers use non-traditional forms like 16mm film and incorporate digital media and multimedia installations to enhance the genre's dynamic and immersive elements. Experimental cinema aims to redefine rather than simply disrupt the rules. It promotes the ongoing study of new ideas and approaches, similar to Allan Kaprow's Happenings, which blurred the barriers between art and life by requiring active engagement and questioning passive consumption of art.

For someone who is only familiar with regular films, think of experimental films as the art of cinema freed from conventional storytelling. Unlike mainstream films, which attempt to entertain or inform through organized plots, experimental films are similar to abstract expressionism in painting or free verse in poetry. They value emotion, randomness, and personal interpretation over linear growth.

Experimental films should be considered works of art, challenging audiences to participate in new ways by pulling meaning from sensory and thematic depth rather than following a narrative. This type of film pushes the frontiers of what cinema can be and how it can touch us, making it an essential component of cinematic art and constantly pushing the envelope of visual and audio expression.

POST #17 READING AND GRQ – THOMPSON AND BORDWELL - FILM AND VIDEO HISTORY KATE HORSFIELD - BUSTING THE TUBE

Discussion

How much do you think mass media influences you and the world? Name some of your views that have been created by the media. How do you avoid being controlled by the media? Give examples and analogies to back up your answer.

The media has significant influence on both personal viewpoints and global society. It impacts how we perceive crucial societal issues such as race, gender, and class, frequently resulting in a shared cultural understanding that crosses boundaries. Television and film, for example, can perpetuate stereotypes, influencing public perception and behavior toward various groups or beliefs.

The concept of the "American Dream," which is frequently depicted in films and television shows as a global ideal obtainable through hard work and determination, has influenced one's personal views. This image can mask the systemic injustices that prevent many people from pursuing such chances, a subtlety that can go missing if these media messages are not critically examined.

To prevent being unduly influenced by the media, it is critical to engage with a wide range of sources and opinions. This approach is analogous to a diet: just as a balanced diet contains several food groups, a healthy media diet includes a variety of perspectives and sources. Furthermore, adopting media literacy skills—such as questioning the source of information, assessing underlying messages, and recognizing bias—can assist in navigating the complex environment of media influence without succumbing to manipulation. This critical involvement promotes a more complex knowledge of the world, reducing the media's ability to impact our perceptions and beliefs in isolation.

GRQ

1. Hans Richter, Richter

2. Ruttmann

3. Rene Clair's

4. Germaine Dulac

5. cinema pur

6. city symphony

7. "vertical" cinema

8. film lyric

9. Maya Deren 

10. Norman McLaren, McLaren

11. Brakhage

12. Bruce Conner

13. visualizing effects

14. Non-linear editing software

15. portable camera

16. Feedback

POST #16 LECTURE FILM TV VIDEO

Electronic media, which runs on electricity, comprises a wide range of platforms and technologies, including television, radio, the Internet, and many types of digital content like CDs, DVDs, and online streaming. The history of electronic media begins with the creation of the telegraph in 1795, which marked the start of a fast expanding communication landscape. This was followed by the telephone in 1849 and the radio in 1897, culminating in the launch of the Internet in 1963. These advances have had a dramatic impact on a variety of industries, including journalism, education, entertainment, and military applications, demonstrating a significant shift in how information is carried and received.

Samuel Morse, a pioneer in this discipline, invented the telegraph, which transformed communication while simultaneously advancing the understanding of art. Similarly, Guglielmo Marconi's discoveries in radio communication laid the groundwork for current wireless connections, garnering him the Nobel Prize. The trajectory of telegraphic and radio communication paved the way for subsequent inventions, most notably television. John Logie Baird, renowned as the "Father of Television," created the first mechanical television in 1925, which paved the way for Philo Farnsworth's creation of electronic television systems in the late 1920s.

Television has had a significant impact on society attitudes toward crucial topics such as race, gender, and class, impacting public opinion and cultural standards. However, the transition from film to digital media represents a fundamental shift in visual media. Film, with its distinct style and depth, captures images in ways that many claim digital forms cannot match. Despite its aesthetic appeal, film is less adaptable in low-light situations and more expensive and time-consuming to produce.

In contrast, digital media provides immediacy and versatility, with higher sensitivity settings, improved low-light performance, and the convenience of immediate editing and sharing. However, the rapid advancement of digital technology can result in the obsolescence of older equipment and formats, emphasizing the fleeting character of digital media.

Walter Benjamin, a critical thinker, investigated the impact of mass media on modern society, warning that cinema and photography could corrupt reality and substitute personal contemplation with predefined views, potentially diluting the authenticity and distinctiveness of lived experiences. He cautioned that the apathy caused by media consumption could make viewers more vulnerable to manipulation, particularly in political settings.

As we traverse the digital age, it is vital that we maintain a balance of involvement with film and digital media while remaining aware of how media impacts our perception of the world. Reflecting on Benjamin's views, the need of conscious media use becomes evident, ensuring that we keep our ability to think independently despite the pervasive effect of electronic media.

PERFORMANCE ART PIECE

Our performance art production addressed the University of Tampa's housing dilemma. During the autumn semester of 2021, the institution admitted an unusually large number of students, exceeding its housing capacity. This issue was important to our work, which depicted President Vaughn as unduly concerned with financial gain and expansion, a viewpoint held by many students affected by the situation. As a result, students were required to find off-campus accommodation, pay for utilities, and handle transportation, which added major stress and expense to their college experience.

The performance was intended to initially confuse the audience, generating a sense of uncertainty that reflected the pupils' situation. This uncertainty was progressively cleared up when we introduced interactive features, allowing the audience to interact directly with the narrative and completely comprehend the message.

Niyah, Francisco, Ava, and I played students in desperate need of shelter, while Alex portrayed President Vaughn. I lead the group, coming up with the initial idea and monitoring its execution. We obtained the essential props and collaborated to refine and implement our plan. This combined effort resulted in a spectacular presentation that eloquently illustrated the housing crisis for our audience.