though technology-based installations were never really my cup of tea, i enjoyed this one quite a bit. and yes, half of them left me confused and unsure if the pieces were actually working. i was fortunate enough to walk thru the exhibit next to families and their children, and learned more from the little kids reactions to the interactive projects than from my own (which in turn inspired my focus for my paper, woohoo!).
there were some works that really stuck out. "Portrait One" (Luc Courchesne), was an interactive 'portrait' of a woman on a screen, caught my attention as a couple giggled, 'conversing' with the installation. At one point, as we looked upon her, noticing her attractive features, she asked what i was looking at and points to her neck, suggests her eyes, and then her mouth. and she was totally right. hehehe. virtual flirt. made me blush. i tried the online version, but it didnt work for me, but check it out here: Luc Courchesne:Portrait One.
another cool installation was called "Semiotic Investigation into Cybernetic Behaviour" (Jessica Fields). sounds complex, and the system looks it and pretty sure it was complex to program and construct, but it is essentially humourous. The installation is composed of 4 distinct machines connected to each other, named Clara, Alan, Brad, and Daphne. Clara detects objects and range, Alan detects motion, Brad and Daphne im not too sure what they do, but i assumed they were the brains behind Clara and Alan's thoughts and messages. Clara and Alan would detect people and comment on their curiosity. The dialogue between the two was fun to read, as they expressed concern and fear of people investigating them. more of it here: Jessica Field: SICB
"Subtitled Public" (Rafael Lozano-Hemmer) was the work that i favored the most and would be a major focus in my paper. Using surveillance equipment in a dark open space, a person's movement is tracked with a projection of a random word. Everything from the use of space, lighting, text, the use of the technology, the ambiguous presentation, the curiousity and experimentation that it inspired, the multiple themes found within, all related more to art than the other exhibited work. rather than concentrate on pushing the technological aspect, this one used it to its advantage, provoking more insight and thought on the message rather than the means. follow the link to find out more, and a video is available of the installation as well. people combining words by standing next to each other is genius! check it out: Rafael Lozano-Hemmer:Subtitle Public.
that was all for the e-art exhibition. i also checked out both the Modern Art and Contemporary collections while i was there. it was my first time to see the works of Matisse, Picasso, and Monet in person. While i did appreciate the work of Matisse and Monet's, i wasnt very impressed. honestly, i've seen more attractive work from classmates. but in their defense, the work shown were not their most accomplished. these were the type of paintings they would store in the back of their studios. i was impressed by Picasso's work. it really was eye candy with his dark lines and fun shapes. and large scale is always a big plus. super. oh and there was one sculpture of Giacometti, of whom i've done a presentation on, which i cant recall very much now. nonetheless, it was a nostalgic surprise.
the Contemporary collection was fine, with an interesting series of work by an artist that i just forgot, only because im excited about finding work by Jean-Michel Basquiat. awesome! just recently, this past summer, i came across him and his work. i've known of him before, but only briefly with his 'samo' identity. he was like the tragic rockstar of the painting scene in the 80s. a real rags to riches story, everything from drugs (he overdosed), girls (dated madonna), and drama (hung out with warhol). his life would overshadow his work, but thankfully his art work was unconventional and unique. his process was downright strange, and his thinking was completely random. or so it seemed. but in the end, his paintings accomplished, what i believe is the most important thing, to hold the viewers gaze. so much to see and read into. there were only two paintings, and i spent a good half hour... on each one. to picture him scribble these words, and step back and take a drag, then scribble something else. its fascinating how a mess of a painting, so very close to being considered (and many argue is) complete garbage, sit on a wall in a museum to be viewed for anyone to see. that argument is an accomplisment in itself, provoking interest. a real trip.
*just an example of his work: "Catharsis"
inspiring.
1 comment:
*artist mode on*
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