The Final Class

The final class of art and technology was filled with a variety of creation and ideas that were demonstrated through the final project, the video art. I found that at the end of the class I was inspired by my fellow students and what they had created. There were no similar videos and all were completely different in the way they were created. I think that for this last project, there was definitely a step up in the finished product. There were other projects before that you could tell who worked harder and who did their project last minute, however I really believe that everyone put a great deal of effort into the final. I don't think I can even pick a favorite (besides mine of course) because there was such a range of ideas. From passion, to political message to personal stories, everyone was different. Taking this class, I have definitely discovered that art can be anything. Its all about decontextualization and how you can recreate something that has already been done. Some of the ideas that my classmates have come up with have inspired me to think outside the box even more and create more. Before taking this class, I had no idea how to make a video, how to make music or even where or how half the technology that I own was created. I found a greater appreciation in technology by watching the documentaries and videos in class. It opened my eyes to what is out there and the possibilities of technology. There isn't anything that I didn't like about the class. It was a great opportunity to learn new things and open my eyes even more. The challenge to push myself beyond my expectations and own limits is what inspired me the most, especially with the projects. Thanks to Santiago and his art and technology class, I feel that I can take any project that is thrown at me and make something amazing. Its not a matter of it you know how to create something, but the resources and determination to figure it out. As a student, I would recommend this class to anyone, where they like art or not. I feel that this is unlike any class that I've ever taken and would take the class again if I had the chance. You really learn your capabilities and more about yourself through this course. Overall I feel that nothing is impossible and art only makes it better.

Operating Systems, Body Worlds and Video Art Project

Here is my video art project! After many trials of trying to figure out how to convert from one program to another, it is finally complete. At first, I had no idea of what to do for this project, so I decided why not rely on what I know best and completely decontexturalize it again as I did in my performance art piece. So I used chemistry as an influence and subject of my video art piece. This time I used a chemical reaction and filmed how the colors changed when added to the solvent (water in this case) and how the colors moved, spread and became this new product during the reaction. I used two different cameras, which gave a cool effect with the reflection of the water, where you can see the two cameras filming one another, while the reaction is also taking place. I loved the special effects that Windows Movie Maker offered, and totally experimented with them. I loved the threshold and watercolor effect that I used because it gave a great effect to the changing of the color and the different wavelengths of colors surrounding the entire process. My music was then made in Garage band, thanks to my friend who always lets me borrow her MAC! I've never used this program and found it really fun to experiment and teach myself how to use the program. After today's class where we talked about how operating systems are not compatible with certain programs and how hopefully/eventually any computer will be able to run the same software, I totally understand with this project. There's always a trick to everything, and I definitely found every trick to getting a Window Movie Maker film to convert onto a mac. In the end I really love how my project turned out, and it has prepared me for future projects in the software sense.
Meanwhile in today's class, I totally discovered new programs that I've never heard of but that intrigue me to learn. For instance the Flash program would have been totally cool to use for my project. I think that those who are also developing operating systems and allowing others to download them for free is awesome. Why not allow an operating system that can be useful for all computers be free and allow it to be open for interpretation. Imagine how many people could help perfect one particular operating system and add to it and how amazing it could be, because who's to say that those in charge of operating systems now are creating the best there is. This opportunity could be completely open to learn from others and teach others. Another topic discussed was the new and current art. Body World's for instance, which I got to visit in Boston, is absolutely amazing. Having a passion for science and art for me is totally combined all in one. The figures and creations that you see at these exhibits is completely mind-blowing. I have never seen anything like Body World's before and it has definitely left a lasting memory. For others such as Christina Nguyen Hung, who make art out of laboratory experiments such as her bacteria, its not that scientists think of these things, but it that's one day you accidentally see it in another angle. It's all about decontexturalization, and like my video art, its not that we see something that can be made into art, we see it as art. From bacteria, to the fluorescence bunny, to the body worlds exhibit, the whole part is to use science to create art and decontexturalize the ordinary.