Project 4

Class Zine Pages: 

Homework 9

Homework 8

Anatomy of a Zine: When Magazines go Indie (via Time)

In this article, Meredith Melnick gives a brief lesson on the principles behind the movement of self-published zines. It's interesting to see how seriously these groups take these publications when it comes to its creation process and content. Something I wouldn't have guessed is how there are professionals in the publication business who are so evidently active in the zine-scene. It's cool seeing how even though someone can reach a very high level of prestige or recognition in their field, and still find that desire to make their own work by hand, just because it's fun and they feel like it. Even though it isn't going to gain a lot of recognition or fame, it's cool to see collaboration of different artist and writers who wanna work on a project in hopes of something beyond fame or money. I feel like there's a lot more value placed in a work of art if it's about something the artist cares deeply about and advocates for. I also like how they addressed the culture behind zines and the reason they tend to steer away from the now popular blogging platforms. Although most don't look down on the keeping of a personal blog online, but simply want the joy own having something physical in their possession.

Yes, Zines Still Exist, and, They're Not Antiques (via The New York Times)

Although this article explains things that were also in the previous article. This interpretation in the explanation of zines and their network of publication is a little more personal. I like how Chris Berube talks about different events that are currently taking place in order to expose independent artists and writer's work to the public. However, there doesn't seem to be lot of pressure on these zine creators to get their work out there. Since publication costs are so low, they're not really risking anything. It's often said throughout these articles that this type of freedom is what attracts the creators of zines in the first place. The article goes through a variety of different artists and their preferred topics. I think the best thing is how these topics (everything ranging from feminism, nerd/fan culture, political and social activism, or just pure randomness) that would almost never be seen being represented by any kind of formal publication company.

How to Make a Zine (via Rookie)
Very informative article, it really shows how much the community wants to aid the creation of the things they love. I like how its not this big secret on how to make zines. The article itself looks like it could be a little pamphlet that would be handed out to people who were interesting in making zine. It's almost like this little invitation to join this movement.

Homework 7

Original page by Hoon

Project 3

Homework 6

PART ONE:


Ryoji Ikeda, "Test Pattern 100m Version" 
In this video piece, Marclay initially requests that it be viewed in a certain fashion in order to be enjoyed in a certain way. This automatically suggests that the artist put a lot of thought into how they wanted their art to be presented and how time affects the piece as a whole. Christian Marclay I said to have coined the technique of piecing together fragments of film, this video is a mere three minute excerpt of a video the span of twenty-four hours of fragments of 70 years worth of film history. In this excerpt, Marclay uses a variety of films that take place in a variety of time periods, settings, and genres. Just when you start to feel comfortable in a clip's world, the clip changes and suddenly you're transported into another world. Not fully understanding the context on a single clip fragment, I personally felt automatically engrossed in the world each clip put me in, even though I didn't fully understand what was actually happening. I'm not entirely sure if this was Marclay's intention when he was assembling this piece, but that's definitely how it made me feel.   

Christian Marclay, The Clock
In regards to the formal part of this piece, someone would initially take into account the medium through which this piece is done. It's an audiovisual installation piece, that heavily relies on the participation of an audience that interacts directly with the piece itself. The piece itself consists of two long walkways made up of video-screen panels that are constantly flashing various black and white barcodes. With music playing in the background (also composed by the artist), large groups of people were able to walk along the walkway as they pleased and interacted in the piece in their own unique way. Since the images displayed on the walkways flash repeatedly, it almost creates a strobe-light effect in the space and allows the audience to play around with the environment that Ikeda creates. Some of the patrons simply sit down or stroll along the walkway, just enjoying it. Others dance around or take photos of themselves, trying to become a part of the piece in their own way. I think the reason Ikeda's piece is so successful in getting the audience involved, is because of the scale and composition of his installation. It's consumption of the whole space results in the people participating feeling small in comparison, it's seems more like a playing-ground than art.  
After doing some research on the piece itself, Ryoji Ikeda's intention was to translate the "digital data that surrounds us in everyday life" through the barcodes on the screens. I think he was successful in his intentions, but also resulted in creating this sort of other-worldly place that people can step into and feel completely removed from the real world. 

PART TWO: I commented on Ashley's and Nicole's projects. 

Project 2

"Busy Bodies"

I wanted to focus on the concept of 'busy bodies' personified through bodily function--most importantly the brain.