Sunday, December 9, 2012

Video Art

 Here in Tampa we're spoiled with some pretty beautiful skies and scenery. I decided to take a few videos one day while driving with the top down in Jenny's car, and after some editing and distortion this was the result:


I merged the videos together using iMovie and added visual and audio effects. The glowing lights scene is our bathroom that I filmed for a few seconds. The little melody incorporated was created through this website I found on StumbleUpon. 

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Hatsune Miku

Talk about electronic music... Hatsune Miku is the ultimate form. Millions of people pay to see her in concert, she has tons of pop songs, and... she's completely synthesized.


Hatsune Miku is simply a hologram performer. She's an anime character created originally as a mascot for Crypton Future Media, a company that produces virtual instrument software. Her fame escalated quickly as she became one of the most popular stars in many regions of Asia. She has fans of all ages, who come to her concerts in which she dances and sings, and humans play instruments. Since Miku has no past or history, fans like to create her story for her. It doesn't really shock me that there are people out there who pay to see her. They're going to see their favorite artist, live, right there in front of them, who happens to be... an anime cartoon.

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

the Scopitone

Scopitone was a type of juke box that played not only songs, but music videos too. The machine, made out of leftover WWII airplane parts, could be found in its prime in France during the 1960s. Many artists' debut music videos appeared on and became popularized by the Scopitone.



Here is one of the many catchy French songs featured on the website:


Mummy at Bayshore Blvd

Ever sit on Facebook for hours on end and think, "What am I even doing?"
Do you find yourself going from website to website reading meaningless statuses and tweets such as:


Times goes by, your work is still unfinished, and there you are... STILL on the computer, keeping up with people you happen to know (or maybe not) that are not the least bit significant in your life.

If this applies to you, then there is a good chance distraction and procrastination have gotten the best of you... like they have me. Recently, I've found myself glued to the computer, unable to leave. Occasionally I glance out the window, catch a glimpse of the beautiful view and think, "Wow... just get up!!!!" I am someone who is constantly enamored by the sky, ocean, greenery, and other beautiful things we all take for granted. So, it kills me to waste time online. My piece shows how technology, though so wonderful and convenient, can be so restricting. I chose to mummify myself on Bayshore Boulevard, with my phone and computer in hand, while an abundance of runners, bicyclists, walkers, and rollerbladers cruised by. Hopefully those people were thinking, "I don't know what that girl is doing but I'm glad I'm out here getting some exercise, limbs mobile and free, no bondage or internet tying me down," ....or something along those lines...


Sunday, November 25, 2012

Advertising and Propaganda

It isn't uncommon for people to use the terms "advertisement" and "propaganda" synonymously. However, there is most definitely a difference between the two. Advertisement is a paid message targeted toward a specific group of people, in attempt to persuade the group into liking and purchasing a certain product or service. Today, commercials are probably the best example of ads. Propaganda on the other hand, is form of communication that informs and promotes a particular idea, concept, or even belief. In both cases, persuasion is used for a similar goal, but the methods used to achieve that goal are different.

Advertisement:


It is clear that both companies are persuading the viewer of the ad to buy their product.

Propaganda:


Here, it is clear that a message is trying to be pushed onto others, aiming to change their opinion. 



Sunday, November 18, 2012

Eva and Adele


Eva and Adele are a pandrogynous couple from Germany who are truly a work of art. Although their sexes determine that they are a heterosexual married couple, they waited 22 years to get married as a homosexual couple (they are now both legally women). They attempt to dress and look exactly alike. Their ages and identities are a secret, and they claim to have landed in their time machine after the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Mobbed!

I watched a few flash mobs, but this one really stood out. Apparently there is a show on Fox called Mobbed, in which flash mobs are used to reveal big news. This guy shattered his girlfriend's heart by making it seem like he was cheating on her... little does she know that they were about to be married. I'm usually not into sappy things like this, but this actually made me cry a little! It's just so overwhelming, I can't imagine being in the girl's shoes. Not sure if I would ever want something like this, but they're going to have a great story to tell their kids and grandkids someday!