Crawling with the Tortoise

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"This isn't goodbye."

I'll be taking some time off from this blog as hard as it is to suspect. I've had an adventure embracing myself with art and technology and being able to share my thoughts. I might drop by again soon, but as of right now, i'm sorting things out with life. Till then, thanks for sticking with me all this time. Art is a valuable spirit we need to keep alive, and hopefully you too will find a way!

-Todd

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Let's Talk About Fonts!!!

One of the best things I like to do in Microsoft Word is play with the title fonts. Not just the standard Arial and Times New Roman, but probably an entire list of fonts so big, you could make an encyclopedia for them all. Some fonts can be atmospheric, basic, alarming, and can be pretty much anything else to grab your attention. Similar fonts can be categorized and grouped into a thing called a typeface, which is an interface for similar fonts. (I will cite the following fonts from dafont.com, which I recommend you to go check out!!!)

Say I wanted to create a sense of anxiety in a viewer using one word. The typeface and font I would use would be "Ms. Monster" from the Fancy > Horror section. To me it looks menacing on a horror movie poster, and I want to imply that fear into the viewers if they were to see a pice of work with the Ms. Monster font, especially with a larger font size. I admire the tight space in between each character because it helps create that tension, if you were to tilt a title to the side, that font would be extremely edgy to glance at, in my opinion at least.

If I aimed to make a viewer feel content and at peace, I would go with "Night Still Comes" from the Basic > Serif category. Again, I wouldn't make such drastic spacing in between each letter, but enough to show the serenity of the title. I'd also keep it at a medium size since it doesn't call for alarm as much as "Ms. Monster" would. "Night Still Comes" is simple, but it's not incredibly fancy nor does it create anxiety, and it eases the eyes of the viewer.

With all this said, I'm creating a portfolio using InDesign, and I'm gonna need to experiment a ton if I want to grab the attention of my reader, while also staying true to my material. Two of my works are deemed to make the viewer feel out of place, so I would use a tensed font, but nothing to monstrous as, well, "Ms. Monster". While keeping to the theme of being a bit out of place, there is some sanity in my work, so I'll want to use a comprehendible and easy-viewing font for the reader. It doesn't have to be as peaceful as "Night Still Comes", but it can still carry an edge, like "XXII Don't mess with Vikings", created by Doubletwo Studios.

I'll be sure to upload my portfolio in the next few weeks or so. Stick around.

[tortoisan]

An editorial/questionnaire: Michael Sanchez

Michael Sanchez is a contributor to ArtFourm. You can check his work out here. I bring this up because I was asked to read one of his articles Michael Sanchez on Art and Transmission. From what I understood from Sanchez’s article is that cellular and portable devices have grown rapidly to the point where they are tools of creating and viewing art.

According to the author, how have smart phones and tablets effected the way art is viewed? And conversely, how have these devices effected the way art is made and displayed in physical gallery spaces?  Smart phones and tablets stimulated the perception of art thanks to the incredible access in networking and the advanced development of electronic devices that allow art to be displayed in high resolution. In 2011, he notes Apple’s contribution with the iPhone. It had a dramatic incline in the market as it “provided consumers with the ability to view high-resolution images online nearly anytime and anywhere.” The invention of the tablet has brought down the amount of space in an art gallery from a room of sculptures and paintings to a white side scrolling screen that digitally shows art in its highest definition. Sanchez cites the website Contemporary Art Daily, which in 2011 replaced it’s pages of contemporary art with a running scroll “optimized for the interfaces of smartphones and tablets”. The extra space has been filled with proper lighting for the art displays, giving the viewer a cleaner experience at CAD. How do certain paintings and sculptures effect viewers eyes when they view them as high-resolution images on their smart phones? Name two different ways that art works have aesthetically adapted to the prevalent use of smartphones for viewing.

Certain paintings and sculptures strain the viewers eyes because of the brightness and contrast of the screen. I can honestly relate because I could stare at a portrait on my laptop and my eyes would hurt, partially the reason I wear glasses now. The whiteness of an artwork is as painful as looking at a neon color. However, one of the adjustments the smartphone has is a low-contrast gray-brown tone that dims the diodes on the screen, creating “a zone of relief” for the eyes after watching the screen. The second adjustment is that the paintings have markings that extract a form of unfocus in the eyes known as “mirage”, and if any paintings are encountered with a certain vertical flow, then this lack of focus takes on a particular function.

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For Better Or Worse

So I'm the process of making a website. For what, I can't say at the moment, but I'll promise to explain my goal and ambition for this site. However I will say it's for a band. Music bands and artists in today's day and age have websites for their fans to follow. Much like a band/artist in the market, music-based sites for news and reviews have a demographic to reach to read their articles and increase their popularity. But what defines a good music page from a not-so-good one? So I compiled a list of my 5 least favorite music sites, and 5 sites that I think will aid me in the making of my webpage.

THE WORST

Pupfresh – While I do admit I like going on this site to get music information, I feel this site is too basic. I’m not a fan of the shade of purple for the background, and I think this site has the potential to expand into something greater. Then again, maybe the team is satisfied with their layout, which I’m in no way going to judge them for that.

Rolling Stone – My one problem with this site is as much of a music-based news company Rolling Stone is, it can often throw in topics that don’t pertain with music. I admire the site’s organization of links and stories, but some of the stories should be in The New York Times. Sure, you’ll find the latest music reviews and top 10 best album countdowns RIGHT NEXT TO AN ARTICLE OF TOM BRADY OF THE NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS! I’m sure RS is being universal with its news coverage, but if I was interested in what’s new in music, and if I looked up a music site with an unrelated headline, I’d close the browser, or at the very least scroll down the page.

Pitchfork – Contrary to what most forums say, I honestly think Pitchfork is not really the worst I’ve seen. The layout is well organized and each section is labeled properly. So why is it a least appealing website? To me, there’s just so much information being thrown at you. I understand it’s better to say something informational than saying nothing at all, but the information of which you are presenting on your site should have some space. The sections are hunched up so it makes the browsing process confusing to the reader when he/she switches from one subject to the next.

DatPiff – This is a music site that gives full exposure and recognition to underground hip hop artists. If I did hip hop for a career, I wouldn’t want to be featured on a website like this one. The background is shady, the artists featured on this site aren’t really given appreciation with a review (which I find it as lacking respect), and even a name like DatPiff sounds lazy to be a website. There is a music site like this, that also covers mostly hip hop, but I feel it’s more presentable than DatPiff.

lazerandthebeams.com – My god, this is bad! Sure this band would get their website a more presentable makeover, but even then, it’s atrocious. You have to find unnecessary links in the middle of the page. The text inconsistent, ranging from a bold font to a narrower font. There are gifs that are more distracting than they are inviting. For example, what is with that cat at the bottom of the page? Is it a music cat? It doesn’t seem to be playing music. Is it the mascot for “Lazer and the Beams”? NO! Overall, the background the band chose for the page is far from pleasant to look at as you navigate through the site. This is similar to a b-list “mockbuster”, a movie that puts little to no effort and time in their craft. I would only check back at this site if I were under substance abuse, which doesn’t seem like it will happen any time soon.

THE BEST

Hypetrak – Hypetrak fairly decent so to speak, and I have no problem looking at the page without feeling distracted or discomfort unlike DatPiff. The newsfeed for example is straight to the point. It’s organized with a sentence or two describing the article whether it’s in the popular category or the up-to-date category. It has an accessible music feature that lets you listen to artists’ works. Even though it leans towards just the hip hop genre, it is presentable and appropriate for the genre’s modern day content.

WeAREINFANTTERRIBLE – I feel it’s funny that when I google the words “terrible band site”, this one turns out to be the opposite. It’s a basic band site, but I like how the home page is mostly about updates while the extra links on the site are out of the way and placed above the site. The background isn’t distracting, although I personally wish they went with a different one, or a variation of the current background.

linkinpark.com - Here's an example of a music page from a professional/famous band. Linkin Park has come a long way in pleasing the fans with its webpage. I remember one year they had the whole page based on their animated music video. Each member got a bio page with an animation on the side. While this isn't as flashy as before, the page is subtle with being interactive. You get to see incredible artwork as you scroll down. Every time you go to click a link, that link or button flashes, which really is something that grabs your attention.

fouryearstrongmusic.tumblr.com - While this band isn't as huge as Linkin Park, Four Year Strong has kept their webpage up to date (even though it's simply a Tumblr blog). One factor of this site I do like is the rotating gallery on top of the site. It gives the viewer the insight of the band on the road, and it's something I hope to acquire on my site.

thirtysecondstomars.com - This band page has a similar interactive feature Linkin Park had in which you scroll down the page to reveal art or photos. This is really noticeable as you scroll down the TSTM's tour schedule. Another thing I thought was interesting was the band's Time Capsule feature, which includes historic moments in the band's career such as album releases, music videos, special concerts, and even awards earned.

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IN-DEPTH BLOG POST!

I watched a documentary from 1972 a couple of days ago called Computer Networks – ARPANET. It archived the development of computer networks, which led the introduction of the Internet in 1983. It was interesting to see how far both the computer and networking have gone, knowing how they developed to present day. The video is in two parts, so you can check Part 2 right here. Of course, it got me thinking about some things.

At one point in the documentary (1:22), one of the programmers compares a computer network to that of a cluster of cities in communication with one another, while a computer by itself is much like a city developing by itself. Early cities needed a mechanism based on what they learned from other groups in order to become fully functioned and habitable. Similar to the case of these cities, network programers needed a backbone from the early stages of computers in order to develop their computer networks. The programer's comparison is highly true, and in continuation of this idea, the advantage of cities/computers communicating with one another is that both feed each other information and grow off each other. City officials will come together to discuss in a state conference and find ways to substantiate their state. In comparison, people communicate with each other over the computer through networking in order to build connections and benefit themselves successfully and socially.

Sometimes, we model objects after the human body or things that we find in nature. You'll notice in both parts 1 and 2 the programmers are seen drawing out the structure of simple networks to depict the way in which information circulates. I'm sure people have already made this connection (as cliché as it sounds), but I could visually see the internet and computer networks as a spider-web.

Don't think that, since the internet spawned, you've never compared it to a legit web (if you got different comparisons, I'm totally interested!). In my words, I see these two relate because each line on a web represents a link between multiple computers. As the spider spins and rotates its web, it links up two opposite ends, usually lays eggs, and continues to build this huge web, which is similar to people on the internet connecting, passing information though text and pictures, and build mutual connections from there. If you really think about it, we would be representing the small knots in the web, and the threads are our connection with everyone on the Internet that increases the more people we connect with.

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Here's one of my two pieces of art that I've been conjuring this past month. Time Square Crazy is my honest first work using Photoshop. I admit I had a blast cutting and pasting these images together, as well as erasing out the backgrounds of the images. It's interesting that the image of Time Square alone looks photoshoped enough, so I made this into a challenge to pick which images were mine and with are the original (make it a game and play it with your friends!). I give credit to all the owners of the original works, and the people that constantly upload them on Google.

[tortoisan]

Sorry for the absence.

I figured I've been lacking on posts and what-not, but I've been up to something pretty awesome in my opinion. Two things, actually. I'll be posting these two "incredible" works I've been making within the next couple of days. Right now it's flu season where I am, as I'm sure it is for everyone out there. Stay clean!

[tortoisan]

In-Depth Blog Post #2: The New Aesthetic

The New Aesthetic is a blog based around the collaboration of digital technology and physical artworks. The frontrunner of this group, James Bridle, brought his blog to public eyes at the 2012 South by Southwest (SXSW) conference in Austin, Texas. Bridle had mentioned the blog is, "a metaphor for understanding and communicating the experience of a world in which the New Aesthetic is increasingly pervasive." Works include pixilated and warped imagery that draws the aesthetic question what's real and what's digital.

I browsed through the archive and there were some artworks that really caught my eye. I understand they're mostly re-posts so I give credit to the original artists that lent their voices to the blog. With that said,

Depixelizing Pixel Art - In this 2011 article, two researchers (one from Microsoft) developed an algorithm that de-pixelizes 8-bit graphic video games and shape them into high quality images. Even though many video games get rebooted for the next high-graphic gaming console, they mostly lose their original touch and what made them so timeless. Although this process looks complex, it's nice to smooth out classic video characters, like the Super Mario Bros., without stretching them to a resolution such as that of the Nintendo Wii U.

Genetic Programing - In 2012, web designer Roger Alsing replicated the Mona Lisa painting using 50 semi-transparent polygons with a sting of DNA used for digital polygon rendering. It's interesting to see art being replicated with an abstract computer module. For split second, I was convinced that I was looking at the original painting when all the polygons melded together.

Chris Hadfield's Twitter Photo - Chris Hadfield is a retired Canadian astronaut who during his time with Expedition 34 shared photos of his trip through his social networks. Some time in 2013, he uploaded a vague picture on his Twitter account. Is it a dust cloud? A blurry shot of another planet? Another form of life emerging from the great unknown? That is honestly all up for interpretation. Just because you're uncertain of what something is or looks like doesn't mean you aren't entitled to figure it out. That's what makes the mystery fun and worthwhile, or in the words of Hadfield, "a nice desktop background."

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Two Things!

First off, for being an advanced educational "super site", the online homework page for my French class isn't so "super". Oh well.

Second, I'm amazed that my editorial on Walter Benjamin got reblogged! I didn't even expect this to happen, but thanks for tuning in to the audience out there in Tumblr-land!

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An editorial/questionnaire: Walter Benjamin

I was instructed to answer some questions in regards to Walter Benjamin’s The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction. For those who don't know him, Walter Benjamin was a German literary critic and socialist during both World Wars. His essay, published in 1936, covers how a reproductive system alters an original work of art and its natural purpose. Keep in mind my responses may not be entirely correct so don’t be afraid to correct me if I missed some vital information or if I worded it wrong.

1) According to Benjamin, what is the historical trajectory of advancements in the mechanical reproduction of visual media?

The historical curve was the development of lithography in the early nineteenth century. This is the art tracing images on stone rather than a block of wood or a copperplate. It became a popular form of art next to printing until it was surpassed by photography later on, but many artists still practice lithography even to this day.

2) Describe the way in which photography transforms notions of originality and authenticity in works of art according to Benjamin.

Benjamin breaks this down into two forms of reproduction. There is process reproduction, which according to Benjamin is “more independent of the original than manual reproduction.” What this means is that the camera can recreate and produce a still image faster and efficient than the average painter can in hours. The second form is technical reproduction. This is when the copy of the original can be manipulated or altered in ways the original cannot. This is quite the predecessor to Photoshop. 

3) When Benjamin uses the term 'aura,' what does he mean? Furthermore, what happens to the 'aura' of an art object, as these objects are increasingly mass-reproduced?

The word ‘aura’, according to Benjamin, has been defined as “the unique phenomenon of a distance, however close it may be”. This referred to natural objects and what hold their originality from a recreation. As many objects are mechanically recreated continuously, then ‘aura’ starts to weaken as the copies have a diminished quality than the original. This can be applied to all forms of art, including music. In today’s world of downloading, when audio is stripped from a website, the listener’s copy loses a fraction of the original quality.

4) According to Benjamin, what is the difference between 'cult value' and 'exhibition value?'

The cult value is a selection of ceremonial art that is rather kept in secret to selected group of people or, for lack of a better word, a “cult”. Such examples could be private statues of gods that are exclusive to priests, or the elk drawings in the caves of the Stone Age. In contrast, exhibition is when art is displayed to the public for an appreciative value. Since this form is more open and broadening than cult value, exhibition value popularizes over the cult value in response to people’s artistic function and interest.

5) Finally, find a specific passage from the text that resonates with you and explain why.

A passage that really struck a chord with me was in section/chapter VIII (8), which differentiates a film actor from a stage actor. I have equal respect and passion for film and theater, but I still understand which is lively, and which is imaginary. In film, in addition to the actor removing the stress of a live audience watching him, it is the editor’s job to alter camera angles and close-ups to enhance the actor’s performance, which is like digitally manipulating a portrait. Now I was involved with my school’s theatre club, and I could relate to the tension and pressure a stage actor has when performing in the spotlight. The live actor isn’t blessed with multiple camera angles, so he rehearses until opening night to deliver his lines, like a painter painting a portrait for an exhibit. However, he is blessed to have an audience to interact with, and his stage presence is more natural than an actor on the big screen.

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In-Depth Blog Post #1: Benefitting Through Technology

I’ve never been in the position to lay down my opinion on the advancement of technology, but I will admit growing up that I let several of these advancements take over my life. I was lucky enough to be born in 1992, when digital technology had yet to rule the earth, so the switch from analog to digital devices, and the introduction to modern mediums, left a great impact on me. Over time, such creations were all over markets in the 2000’s and everyone was up to date. By the time I was in high school, technology has become both an effective and defective height of my life.

As soon as I got my first cell phone for my fourteenth birthday, I felt a sudden release of independence because I could call anyone I wanted whenever I wanted, which was a step up from waiting for someone to get off the house phone. Of course, I had my phone whenever there was an emergency, like when I was stuck at school without a ride home. Although I’m amazed on the time it takes to send a text message, I honestly feel that calling someone is faster than spending a brief moment texting someone and hoping they respond back. I find texting appropriate to alert family and friends. When my school was in lockdown, I sent my mother a text letting her know of my predicament. Although it’s great to contact people through texting, we are less likely to converse with others. I mentioned in a brief post the other day on how I saw a group of girls sitting on a bench looking down at their cell phones. Not once did they let out a breath of air or asked how their days went. I feel it’s important to text when necessary, that way we don’t socially distract ourselves from what’s in front of us.

Besides the cellphone, I find great use of the computer. Whether it was the house computer or my laptop, I use this device to print out assignments for my classes and resumes for when I apply to jobs or internships. The computer has also enriched me into social media such as Facebook and Tumblr. On both sites, I write down what’s on my mind, repost something I like, and even look to join organizations to benefit my career. I do this while being careful not to attract too much attention from strangers and anyone wishing to give me a hard time. Much like the cellphone, the computer can be recreational. I play games, chat with friends and watch videos on YouTube. Just like other devices, there’s a time and place to enjoy browsing these sites, but in the presence of friends and family is not one of them. Too much of the computer will even hurt my eyes after a while, so I know when to turn it off.

So as it seems, these technologic advances, for both important and recreational reasons, have affected me. Although there are characteristics within these devices that affect my behavior, I choose to look at them not on how they make me dependent, but rather aid me with tasks I can’t perform manually. I can marvel at how fast and capable these devices can do and use them to my every will, but as long as I limit myself, I can still function a social life. 

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To the freshmen girls waiting for the shuttle this morning

Get off your phones and converse with each other! That's right, all four of you sitting in a row inches from each other. You're not only making the upperclassmen look bad but you're making yourselves look bad!

[tortoisan]

En Proceso

This has yet to be a complete blog, but since I'm at it, it would be best to provide some form of introduction.

My name is Timothy Green, but I much rather go by the name of Todd (because of that lame movie everyone associates me with!). I'm not positively sure of what I want to do as a capable, independent being when I get out of this educational institution, my home of course. Truth is I function very well just living in the present and not worry about anything else. I'm slow, but I'm sure of everything I plan. Maybe not much of the real world, but nevertheless I'm adaptable, even when it looks like I don't want to be. I'm also one that listens to music. My favorite genre varies depending if I can relate to it.

I won't dare to give away the name of where I reside unless I wish to attract any attention to oncoming psychopaths wanting sell me products I don't need. What I can say is that where I live is double-sided, in the sense that I'm sick of being here, but I love it to the edge of the earth. This "school" made me who I am today. In retrospect, I would've been a whole lot different if I wasn't here. On the downside, I had my luck racketeered by my own self-negligence, by not seeking opportunity when it was right there. In other words, I fell behind, but I suddenly sense this urge to bring my luck back. I want to be that racketeer.

Anyways, what's the purpose of this blog? I'm somewhat decent in art, and I'm completely marveled at how far it's transformed into multimedia. Imagine going from cavemen drawings, to Renaissance paintings, to Polaroid's, webpages, and 3D sculptures. Imagine what sparked such an evolution. Once in a while I will blog about interesting things such as music or other personal interests. If you were looking for something NSFW, turn around and go outside for once in your life.

So stick around for what's yet to come.

Todd