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.

POST #14 – LECTURE – DADA - SCULPTURE AND RELATED MOVEMENTS

Art functions as both a reflection of cultural changes and a forum for intellectual debate. Throughout the twentieth century, various movements formed that drastically altered the cultural and creative landscape, each driven by distinct reasons and historical settings. This blog article walks readers through these significant movements, discussing their origins, ideologies, and impacts, as well as spotlighting key artworks that define each era.

Futurism initially appeared on the cultural scene in 1909, with Filippo Tommaso Marinetti's manifesto published in Le Figaro. This movement praised modernism, speed, and industry while asking for a cultural revolution to liberate Italy from its classical heritage. Umberto Boccioni's "Unique Forms of Continuity in Space" (1913) is a striking example of the movement, since it rejects traditional human forms in favor of dynamic, flowing lines that appear to carry the figure forward through space. This celebration of dynamism was also captured by Giacomo Balla in "Dynamism of a Dog on a Leash" (1912), in which motion is divided into a rhythmic pattern, transforming a simple instant into a complex visual experience of velocity and energy.

 

Russian constructivism, which sprang from the ashes of World War I, aimed to apply art to real-world situations. Constructivism, led by figures such as Vladimir Tatlin, whose "Monument to the Third International" (1919–20) envisioned a towering symbol of modernity combining art and architecture, was founded on the idea that art should serve a purpose other than aesthetic enjoyment, directly contributing to societal and revolutionary goals. The movement prioritized building over composition, emphasizing real-world applications and the use of industrial materials.

 

Suprematism, first presented by Kazimir Malevich in 1915, reduced art to its most basic geometric forms and colors in order to investigate the concept of pure artistic feeling. Malevich's "Black Square" exemplifies this reduction, featuring a single black square on a white background to emphasize the emotion imparted by the lack of representational information. This movement tried to assert the supremacy' of pure artistic emotion over the pictorial, attempting to touch on the spiritual through the most basic of forms.

 

Dada emerged almost simultaneously in Zurich as a reactionary whirlwind in response to the atrocities of World War One. It rejected conventional aesthetics and instead embraced folly, irrationality, and anti-bourgeois protest. Marcel Duchamp's "Fountain" (1917), a urinal signed "R. Mutt," questioned traditional concepts of art and authorship, serving as a foundation for conceptual art. Dada's impact is rooted in its complete rejection of established art values, which paved the way for the following avant-garde movements. Surrealism expanded on Dada's ideas, delving deeper into the subconscious and irrational. Salvador Dalí's "The Persistence of Memory" (1931) depicts melting clocks in a dream-like scene, highlighting the unconscious as a wellspring of creativity beyond the rational world. Surrealism attempted to uncover deeper truths hidden within the human brain by employing odd, dream-like images to challenge reality's traditional limitations.

 

Postmodernism, which emerged in the mid-twentieth century, sought to address the perceived rigidity of modernist ideas. It stressed eclecticism, style blending, and the clash of high and low art forms. Robert Rauschenberg's "Canyon" (1959) exemplifies postmodernism's approach by incorporating nontraditional materials and challenging the art/object hierarchy. This movement aimed to blur the distinctions between artistic disciplines and democratize the art experience, making it more accessible and relevant to everyday life.

 

Fluxus, which originated in Dada and spread to conceptual and performance art, emphasized simplicity, interactivity, and comedy. Figures such as Yoko Ono participated directly in the creative process, as in "Cut Piece" (1964), in which she allowed onlookers to cut away her garments. Fluxus artists aspired to break down the barriers between life and art, arguing that art could be created by everyone and be as basic as ordinary life itself. Kinetic art translated Futurism's vitality into palpable motion. Artists such as Naum Gabo brought movement components into sculpture with his "Kinetic Construction" (Standing Wave, 1919–20), exploring not just spatial dimensions but also time as an intrinsic part of the viewer's experience. This movement created new ways for viewers to connect with art, allowing them to actively participate in the kinetic drama unfolding within the sculptural form.

 

As we look back on these movements, from Futurism's passionate embrace of the machine age to Postmodernism's eclectic pastiche and Fluxus' interactive simplicity, we find a clear pattern of art challenging and expanding its own definitions. These movements not only influenced the aesthetic and conceptual evolution of art, but they also addressed current political and social issues, reflecting and often forecasting societal changes. Today, as modern artists build on these legacies, they continue to explore new forms of expression and involvement, ensuring that art remains an important part of the global conversation. The evolution of art demonstrates its never-ending effort to redefine itself and its relationship with the audiences it aims to reach, inviting us all to question, ponder, and experience the tremendous depths of human creativity.

 

POST #15 – READING, GRQ AND DISCUSSION – ARSON AND MANSFIELD MODERN ART EXCERPTS

Discussion 1

Do you think Chance and Ready-mades help validate computer art? AI art? Why? How? Use examples and analogies to back up your answers.

Chance and ready-mades, which were important in Dada and Surrealism, provide useful insights on the legitimacy of computer and AI-generated art. Artists such as Marcel Duchamp, with works like "3 Standard Stoppages" (1913-1914), used chance to reduce the artist's customary role, focusing on concept over talent. This is similar to how computer art uses algorithms to incorporate chance, emphasizing on process rather than outcome, much like Duchamp's emphasis on idea over form.

Duchamp's "Fountain" (1917), a urinal portrayed as art, called into question what defines art and who qualifies as an artist by emphasizing the work's conceptual basis. This is similar to AI art, in which the artist programs or selects algorithms, curates outputs, and contextualizes the results, therefore affecting the artistic process.

Contemporary artists such as Refik Anadol employ AI to combine data and aesthetics, resulting in artworks that would not be possible without technology, emphasizing AI's importance as a medium. These advancements in AI and computer art are consistent with the transformative ideas established by Duchamp and the Surrealists, challenging authorship and the nature of creation while establishing AI art as a legitimate, progressive form of modern artistic expression.

Discussion 2

(AFTER VIEWING NEXT VIDEO) Get into your groups differentiate between Modern Art, Postmodern Art and Contemporary Art.

Over the last two centuries, three major periods have significantly influenced the artistic landscape: Modern Art, Postmodern Art, and Contemporary Art, each with its own set of techniques, topics, and reactions to societal changes. Modern art, which existed from the late nineteenth century until about the 1970s, was distinguished by a drastic departure from traditional art forms, emphasizing invention and abstraction. Artists such as Vincent van Gogh, with his classic "Starry Night," pushed the bounds of artistic expression with vibrant hues and emotional depth, shifting away from realistic depictions and toward more subjective realities. This time was characterized by the investigation of new views and methodologies, with a focus on individual perception and internal experience.

In contrast, Postmodern Art, which began in the 1960s and continued until the late twentieth century, sought to address the perceived limitations of Modern Art's principles. It welcomed complexity and contradiction, focusing on irony and cultural critique. Andy Warhol's "Marilyn Diptych" exhibits Postmodernism's approach, which employs mass media imagery to remark on consumerism and identity, questioning the Modernist emphasis on originality and serious, high-art issues.

Contemporary art, which emerged in the late twentieth century and continues today, combines a global perspective with a varied range of m1edia and technologies. It is distinguished by its focus on social, political, and environmental topics, which reflect the urgency of present concerns. Banksy's "Girl With Balloon" is a powerful illustration of how street art can be used to make bold messages in public settings, democratizing the reach and relevance of art.

These periods represent a transition from Modern Art's introspective and innovative techniques, via Postmodern Art's critical and deconstructive lens, to Contemporary Art's socially involved and digitally integrated practices. Each phase not only responds to its predecessor, but also reinterprets and reshapes art's function in society.

Discussion 3

Get into your groups Create an idea for a work of art using appropriation Explain, Interpret, and post on Blog POST #15.

"Echoes of the Masters" is a suggested digital collage that explores appropriation by combining iconic paintings with current individuals and circumstances. This painting combines elements from classics such as Leonardo da Vinci's "Mona Lisa," Johannes Vermeer's "Girl with a Pearl Earring," and Vincent van Gogh's "Starry Night" with photographs of contemporary activists, celebrities, and everyday people. The surroundings are changed to represent modern socioeconomic challenges, providing a dramatic contrast to the original backgrounds.

This play is a cultural critique, challenging the narratives produced by previous artworks and emphasizing the lack of diverse representations. It fosters a discourse between the past and the present by investigating alterations in cultural ideals and the evolution of social problems. "Echoes of the Masters" honors these legendary works while also recontextualizing them, providing new interpretations and relevance in today's environment.

Technically, the collage would be created by combining high-resolution scans of the original paintings with modern images, then blending them together using advanced photo-editing techniques to preserve the originals' artistic integrity while incorporating sharp, contemporary material. This artwork, ideal for exhibitions on art history and social commentary, enables visitors to think on the ongoing interplay between art and society ideals, honoring the enduring significance of the old masters via a modern viewpoint.

GRQ

1. Constructivism

2. Faktura

3. Dada

4. Futurist 

5. Tatlin

6. Aleksandr Rodchenko

7. Gabo

8. Sterpanova

9. chance

10. ("noise-music," from le bruit - "noise" - as in le concert bruitiste)

11. kinetic

12. "Art intoLife"

13. readymade

14. light, space, and motion

15. industry

16. machinery