Elena Nikolova Digital Media Concepts

ID: 1600388, Module: ART102, Computer Arts, Abertay University

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Feedback

The feedback I received in regards to my assessments and projects for my modules in first semester was very positive overall.

For my Visual Literacies module, the comments were on the body of work and that I had done a lot of work in terms of sketching, iterations and developing my ideas. Also, since the focus on my Project was on depicting positive emotions, it was commented that I did not go for the obvious choice – e.g. creating a happy face which would be predictable and not particularly original. Instead, it was noted that I had gone in a different direction and depicted more subtle emotions such as calmness and serenity.

For my Digital Media Concepts module, I received positive feedback on my developmental work I had produced, the sketches and ideas for my Creative Response. Moreover, I received feedback regarding the fact that I incorporated some aspects of the artists’ works and themes discussed in class. It was noted that I need to keep pushing and try to produce images that have a finished look to them. I was advised of trying and working on my pieces until they feel finished. This way I would be able to develop my skills and produce better results in my projects.

For my Elementary Animation module, I received positive comments in regards to the sketches and developmental pieces I had produced for my Final Animation. The feedback was positive and it was directed towards the way I tried to capture emotion on my character’s face. Also, it was noted that I had done a lot of research work, including attending life drawing classes, and refining my initial ideas to produce my Final Animation.

Overall, the feedback for the Projects I created was positive and encouraging. I was advised to keep on producing work and look for different approaches so that my pieces have a finished look to them. I believe the feedback I received is going to be very helpful and I was encouraged to produce quality works which do not feel sketchy and unfinished but rather aesthetically pleasing and refined.

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Here are the 3 final illustrations for my Creative Response, titled ‘Captured Sounds’. 

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Finished illustrations for my Creative Project. I will upload the final illustrations for the Creative Response with the designed logo.

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Work in progress. 

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development work/sketches for my Creative Project

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CREATIVE RESPONSE - Final Idea

Even though I had a lot of different ideas regarding my Creative Response at the beginning, I have decided to do concept art for album covers in the end. 

I have been doing research on different artists that inspire me and I have also been drawing sketches and concept pieces for the project.

The final product will be three illustrations that I will polish and refine as much as I can. In order to link my project to the artists and topics we have discussed in class, I decided to incorporate some aspects from these topics. 

So, I have decided that the theme of my Project will be ‘Captured Sounds’ and it is primarily based on two things. One of these things is the art created by Laurie Anderson, a composer, songwriter and producer. Her artwork in all its different forms really inspired me to work on my project. Also, the art of Barbara Kruger made an impact with me and I decided to incorporate a specific logo to my illustrations, similar to the way she captions her artwork. She usually uses bold captions- white words on red background.

The second theme that I would like to base my project on is the topic of emotion. In class, we have discussed the theme of persuasion, cliches, emotions and also what art is, among others. This is why, I will draw illustrations in the attempt to showcase how music influences the human mind.  That is why I decided to represent the positive spectre of emotions people can feel while listening to music.

Below are some of the sketches done for the project.

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CREATIVE PROJECT - Reflection and Discussion

During our lectures and tutorials, we have discussed a variety of important topics such as persuasion, the value of art, what it means to be creative as well as the topic of clichés, to name a few. 

Some of these discussions have bean of great importance to me because I think that as artists and creators we need to be aware of our surroundings and always need to seek improvement in our work. For instance, when we considered the topic of what art is/ what art represents in class, this discussion has helped me define more clearly what my Creative Project is going to represent. 

As I was reading the chapter from the book Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud, it got me thinking about my own way of approaching art. One of the focal points in this chapter was about whether a particular artist may choose to focus on form or purpose in regards to art.

If an artist decides to pursue form, then they would probably focus on things they can be revolutionary with (e.g. different movements, new ways of creating no one has ever considered before).

However, I personally would probably identify better with the second category of artists- those who choose purpose as their driving force. Purpose relates to the message an artist is trying to convey through their work.

So, I will try to approach my Creative Project by attempting to communicate what I believe is important. In other words, the focus of my illustrations is going to be on the message they are communicating to the viewer.

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CREATIVE PROJECT - Idea and Influences

For my Creative Project, I drew inspiration from a variety of different sources and artists. The graphic designer Richard Davies, the digital artist Justin Maller and the illustrator & photographer Alberto Seveso are some of the artists whose artwork I really appreciate. 

Over the course of the semester, we have looked at many artists specialising in different fields of art. Barbara Kruger, Nam June Paik and Hannah Höch are some of the artists whose artwork I found very inspiring. That is because each of these artists has their own vision of art and their own way of approaching and creating artwork.

For my project I am planning to create two concept art pieces/ illustrations for album covers. In order to create compelling pieces to the best of my ability, I will research different techniques to get me out of my comfort zone and try new approaches.

Below I have selected some artworks that I particularly appreciate.

above: We Won't Play Nature to your Culture - 1983  by Barbara Kruger

above: artwork by Hannah Höch

above: artwork by Alberto Seveso

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CREATIVE RESPONSE - Choice of Topic

I have been thinking how exactly to approach the creation of my Project. At first, when we were given this task, I had a lot of initial ideas but then I had to really narrow them down into something that can incorporate aspects of the Digital Media Concepts module.

I found some of the topics we discussed in class to be very interesting and thought-provoking, for example the topic of persuasion we discussed as well as what art is and what it represents. Apart from that, I found inspiration by looking at the art created by the artists Barbara Kruger, Nam June Paik, Noah Bradley, Toni Infante, to name a few.

So, for the Creative Project I am going to go with my idea of creating concept art for albums and album covers. I am going to incorporate some aspects into my work such as how color and light affect the way the illustration is perceived by the viewer. Also, I will try to create illustrations that are persuasive in some way and evoke a particular emotion from the viewer. Since we have talked about some of these artists and aspects over the course of the 1st semester, I decided to incorporate some of these ideas into my final project.

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CREATIVE RESPONSE - Idea Generation & Initial Notes

As I started thinking in more depth about my Creative Response, I wrote down my ideas and did some preliminary sketches. These are some notes that can get me started so that I can narrow down my Creative Response to one or two solid ideas.

Below are some notes I did while I was trying to make a decision on how to start my Creative Project.

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Reflection on the choice of Critique 2

Before making my final decision to write my second Critical Review on the film Kubo and the Two Strings, I was considering different pieces of art, movies and artists. 

I was very inclined to review one of the works of Noah Bradley who is a concept artist and illustrator. Ever since I discovered his art, I have been really inspired by him and his artistic choices. One of the pieces that he has created, namely Our Grasp of Heaven, has been of a great interest to me. I really like the use of color and the composition as well as the overall feeling of this artwork. Below is the artwork  Our Grasp of Heaven.

Also, over the course of the semester, we have considered a lot of artists that I found to be really inspiring. Some of the artists that have made a great impact on me are Nam June Paik, Barbara Kruger and Hannah Hoch.

However, as a final decision, I decided to write my second critique on Kubo and the Two Strings. One of the reasons for my choice stems from the fact that it is produced by Studio Laika, a company that has a different and interesting apporach in regards to making animated movies. I was curious as to whether this particular movie could present some interesting points for me to discuss and consider. 

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Critical Review 2- KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

Kubo and the Two Strings is a fantasy action movie produced by the American stop-motion animation studio Laika. The company is well known for other stop-motion films like Coraline, ParaNorman as well as The Boxtrolls. The production on Kubo and the Two Strings began in 2014 and the movie is set to become part of the company’s legacy. This 3D stop-motion adventure movie was directed by Travis Knight and it was theatrically released in cinemas in 2016. The screenplay of the movie was written by Marc Haimes and Chris Butler, the latter also worked on the story alongside Shannon Tindle.

The movie features the voices of Charlize Theron, Art Parkinson, Matthew McConaughey, Ralph Fines, Rooney Mara and others while the music was created by Dario Marianelli. The soundtrack for the movie features sixteen tracks.

The story takes place in Ancient Japan and follows the adventures of Kubo, a boy who possesses magical powers inherited by his mother. Kubo lives with his mother on a cliff by the sea and he supports her by going to the nearby village to tell stories. The supernatural gifts of Kubo include the creation of animated origami figures which he controls by means of his three-stringed shamisen (a Japanese lute). One day, the peaceful life of Kubo is shattered as he ignores his mother’s request to not stay out at night and he accidentally summons a spirit from the past. Then, Kubo leaves on a quest accompanied by a serious monkey and a samurai-beetle to find the answers of his past.

In order to analyse the movie in a meaningful way, a number of key concepts need to be taken into consideration. These concepts include the style of animation used for the movie, the characters and the story. Other essential points that need to be discussed involve similarities throughout the work, for instance the exploration of recurring themes as well as the points of emphasis that are present in the movie. In the following paragraphs, each of these specific features will be explored and analysed.

Laika Studio blends handcrafted puppets, CGI and 3D printing to create the movie. The story follows a linear narrative technique with a number of flashbacks embedded within the storyline. The intensity of the story is shown through the use of quick turns of the camera, flashes, as well as the soundtrack. The use of colour and tone in the movie further enhances the intensity of the story in key moments throughout the film. Also, the colours used for the characters and the environment demonstrate the subtlety of some scenes (e.g. pastel, muted colours for calm scenes) while action scenes are enhanced through the use of rich and vibrant colours. Since the concept for the movie is based on Japanese culture and traditions, there is a balance between bright colours and calm natural tones throughout the movie.

In terms of character design, each character has their own personality which is portrayed by their way of talking, their actions and their background. The main character Kubo is an example of a curious and energetic character who is open to adventures. When characters interact, the contrast between them is visible via their actions and their appearance. However, as the film progresses, there is a strong indication that characters (especially the leading ones like Kubo, the Monkey and the Beetle) are influencing and complimenting each other.

These points lead us to the discussion of recurring themes and patterns in the movie such as family, friendship, love, determination to achieve one’s goals and bringing balance in the world. These ideas and concepts are explored by means of letting the characters grow and learn by fighting evil spirits and overcoming difficult obstacles while on their journey.

In order to interpret this animation movie, I will take into account such aspects as the creation and development of the story in the movie as well as the characters and the soundtrack. Since this is an adventure movie involving cutting-edge technology and also hand-crafted puppets, the end result is a distinctive animation style inherent to Laika Studio.

Moreover, the Asian storytelling traditions and the exotic influences that can be found in the movie are complemented and intensified by the soundtrack. A strong accent is placed on the personalities that each character has in the movie. For instance, the main protagonist Kubo is designed in such a way so that people (children in particular) can easily relate to him. The Monkey is deliberately chosen to be wise and serious, whereas the enchanted Samurai’s personality is similar to Kubo’s as they are both quite adventurous.These characters are relatable in the sense that we often find ourselves in difficult situations where it is up to our actions and abilities to show the best that we can do.

In the last paragraph I will present my evaluation and thoughts of the movie. This animation feature follows quite an unusual approach as it starts with the main character- a child- using the imperative ‘’If you must blink, do it now’’. This advice is a means to show the audience from the beginning that there will be twists and interesting revelations in the story. I believe that in the story and characters are captivating and can enable the audience to feel a whole spectre of emotions. In terms of storyline and the goals of the main character, I find a lot of similarities with other animation features. For instance, animation movies like Mulan (1998) and Tarzan (1999) produced by Disney Studios as well as Princess Mononoke (1997) and Castle in the Sky (2004) by Studio Ghibli also have similar themes like overcoming obstacles and learning the values of friendship and love.

However, I believe that the ending of the film is a little rushed and the audience is not given enough time to reflect on the events happening in the movie towards the end. It has to be noted that in some of Laika’s previous feature films, endings have also been a somewhat weak point.

Nevertheless, the concepts embedded in the film set it as a truly remarkable animation. The fact that Kubo does not kill the main antagonist in the story who is given a second chance to reflect on his deeds. This comes to show that not everything in life should be regarded as black or white. Rather, the movie tries to show us in a subtle way that every person has unique qualities that can be truly realised by means of love, friendship and forgiveness.

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Critical Review 1 - The Blank Arcade, ORCHIDS TO DUSK

The Blank Arcade 2016 is an exhibition of games that explores innovation, experimentation and new forms of expression in the design and creation of games. A variety of video games, interactive sculptures and table games are on display in the Hannah Maclure Centre at Abertay University. The showcase features the works of Scottish artists as well as international artists and creators. An important aspect of these games is the way in which they are pushing the boundaries of the modern game industry. These diverse creations are challenging the potential of technology and their aim is to show that interaction is a key factor in video games.  

In this critical review I will discuss in more depth one of the games that is part of the Blank Arcade showcase. The video game to be reviewed is called Orchids to Dusk and it is created by Pol Clarissou. Orchids to Dusk is a short digital game in which the player is an astronaut stranded on an alien planet. The background music for the game is composed by Marskye. The astronaut has a limited time to live on the new planet. This game is designed in such a way that the player can walk around and explore their surroundings but they do not have any means by which to escape the alien planet. The player-astronaut can wander around the planet until their oxygen level (shown on the left side of the screen) drops to a minimum and then they die.

In order to analyse this video game, let us look at the way it is constructed. It is a single-player game in which the player’s goal is to explore their surroundings and find a comfortable place to rest. In terms of composition and design, the game is can be described as abstract. There is no timer or bar showing the player how much time they have left or whether they are going in the right direction. Since the purpose of the game is quite different from other games, such additional indicators are simply not needed. The accent is placed on the player and how they choose to spend their time on the planet.

Some of the emphasis points in the game are the small oasis-type forests and the rest of the environment which the astronaut can admire and appreciate. In this digital game, a cell-shaded method is used for colouring the environment and the character. An emphasis is placed on the simple background created with the purpose to be enjoyed by the person playing the game. It has to be noted that the player can encounter different clusters of forests; however, they are similar in terms of design and colour palette. There is no stark contrast in the choice of colours and tones used for the astronaut and the environment.  

There is an important aspect in the game that needs to be considered- if the player does not move the mouse for a certain period of time, the astronaut can then take his helmet off. In that case, the player has no means to prevent the astronaut from removing the helmet and consequently dying.

In order to interpret Orchids to Dusk, we need to look past the element of sadness and tragedy that the game evokes. This is due to the fact that the emphasis in the game is placed on the calming scenery surrounding the astronaut and the sense of freedom the player can experience. The trees and plants which the astronaut passes by have unusual and interesting forms and colours. The player is free to choose in which direction to go without worrying about end results or accumulating a certain amount of points for example.

This video game can be described as refreshing in the sense that the player can simply enjoy their surroundings, choose where to go and what to do during their stay on the alien planet without feeling pressured by time or other constraints. Being able to take a step back and reflect on our decisions and choices is important in our daily lives. This is one of the main concepts explored in the game. However, this ability is often missing from a number of games which tend to focus on always going forward, collecting points or completing quests. The intensity of such games does not allow the player to think about their feelings or emotions. This could be due to the lack of balance regarding taking action and taking the time to reflect on your decisions in certain games.

I believe Orchids to Dusk successfully accomplishes its purpose since the player can really get immersed in themselves and they are given the possibility to calmly appreciate what is going on around them. In this respect the video game differs from other single-player games such as Fallout (1997), Minecraft (2011), and Dark Souls (2011) all of which tend to focus on action, completing quests and levelling up. It is evident that being in harmony with oneself and with your surroundings is one of the key ideas behind the game Orchids to Dusk. I believe this game can be described as original despite the fact that it features an astronaut type of character which can be found in other video games. The idea behind Orchids to Dusk and its realization are what really set this game as an original piece of art.

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CRITIQUES

We were given the task to write two Critical Reviews for this module. After some research and consideration, I decided which artworks I would be writing my critiques on.

My first Critique is going to be on the Blank Arcade exhibition that I visited at the Hannah Maclure Centre. The exhibition was very interesting and insightful as it showed a range of digital, table and interactive games exploring innovation and expression in regards to the world of games.

At first, I was not entirely sure which game to base my review on, since there were a lot of challenging and creative games to choose from, for example Fugl (by Johan Gjestland and Team Fugl), Bee (by Isabella Carlson et al.) and Orchids to Dusk (by Pol Clarissou) among others. Finally, I decided to write my review on the video game Orchids to Dusk which I found to be unusual and intriguing.

My second Critique is going to be on the movie Kubo and the Two Strings by Studio Laika. This movie was released in August 2016 in the United States and shortly after in The United Kingdom. I wrote my critique on the movie after I went to see it in the cinema in October. 

I came to the decision to review this particular movie after doing some research on Studio Laika which specialises in 3D stop-motion animation movies. I found out a lot of information about this Studio’s approach to creating animations and the process of making fantasy-adventure films.

I have also selected words and terms from the glossary that we were given which I used in the Critiques. Below is the list with some of these words.

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Presentation Week 9 - LAURIE ANDERSON

Laurie Anderson was born June 5, 1947 in Wayne, Illinois. She is an American experimental performance artist. She is also a musician who plays the violin and keyboards and sings in a variety of experimental music and art rock styles. The scope of her work includes performance art, pop music and multimedia projects. 

Anderson moved to New York in 1966 and attended Bernard College studying Art History. Anderson specialised in sculpture in Columbia University where she obtained an M.F.A. (Master of Fine Arts) in 1972. After finishing her degree, Anderson taught Art History for two years at the City University of New York.

Laurie Anderson performed her first art piece in 1969 which was a symphony played on automobile horns. In the early 1970s Anderson worked as an art instructor and also as an art critic for magazines such as ARTnews and ARTforum. Apart from that, she illustrated children’s books, the first of which was titled The Package- which was a mystery story told in pictures.

In the 1970s Anderson performed extensively in New York, and one of her most-cited performances is very interesting and unusual. The performance was called Duets on Ice and she conducted in in New York and other cities around the world. The performance Duets on Ice involved her playing the violin while wearing ice skates with the blades frozen in a block of ice. The performance ended only when the ice had melted away completely.

During the 1970s, Anderson received a number of grants that enabled her to pursue her artistic explorations and gave her more freedom to create art.         Anderson became widely known with the eight-minute single ‘O Superman’. It was initially released in 1981 in a limited quantity; the single reached the number two spot in the British charts. The single ‘O Superman’ subsequently appeared in the album Big Science. That was the first of Anderson’s seven albums released by Warner Brothers. Some other tracks from the album include ’From the Air’, ’Walking and Falling’ and ’Born Never Asked’.

As a director, Laurie Anderson worked on and starred in the concert film Home of The Brave. Moreover, Anderson created and composed the soundtrack for the Spalding Gray films Swimming to Cambodia and Monster in a Box. She has also created music pieces for National Public Radio, the BBC and theatre productions such as Far Side of The Moon by Robert LePage.

During the 1990s and in later years, Anderson continued being very active, taking part in festivals, performing and creating new albums, for example Life on a string (2001). Anderson’s visual work has been presented in major museums throughout the United States and Europe.

Anderson has been recognised worldwide as a leader in the use of technology in the world of art. Her inventions consist of the tape-bow violin, the talking stick and voice filters.

The tape-bow violin is an instrument created by Laurie Anderson in 1977. It uses recorded magnetic tape in place of the traditional horsehair in the bow, and a magnetic tape head in the bridge. Anderson has updated and modified this device a number of times over the years.

The Talking Stick is a new instrument that she designed in collaboration with a team from Interval Research Corporation. The talking stick is a wireless instrument that can access and replicate any sound. This is the technique of breaking sound into tiny segments, called grains. The grains are like film frames- if they are slowed down enough, you begin to hear them separately.

Voice filters- A recurring motif in Anderson's work is the use of a voice filter which deepens her voice into a masculine register. Anderson referred to this technique as ‘audio drag.

In 2015 Laurie Anderson was featured in an article in Big Think, where she talked about critics and how she approached critics and criticism. Her vision for art in the future is that we should just appreciate the world instead of looking for answers. Anderson lives in New York where she is currently working on new art projects.

Laurie Anderson’s vision of art in the future- “I think we’ll just be trying to appreciate things more.”

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Digital Media Concepts

This is my Blog for Digital Media Concepts and here I will post the two Critiques, my Creative Project and the Presentation I had to do for this module.

I have already written my two Critiques and I will post them as soon as possible. Also, I have already started working on my Creative Project and will be posting my ideas, concepts and thoughts on it over the course of the following days and weeks.

As for the Presentation, I have already done it as well, so I will start my Blog by posting the written version of the presentation. My presentation was on Laurie Anderson, I was very happy that I was able to talk about her, since she has contributed so much for the art world.