Paper cut with a laser. Lots of paper. No idea how many lasers.
Showing posts with label art. Show all posts
Showing posts with label art. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
The Throne
Comcast hosted their "Watchathon" last week where viewers could stream almost their entire catalog of TV shows for free. The general idea is that customers would get hooked on those shows and pay to continue their viewing experience.
Not a bad idea unless you run into a cheapskate like me. Their price per episode ($3 to $6 per) is way too high. Particularly when I can use my Netflix account to get the DVDs.
However, it was a great opportunity to start watching the HBO series "A Game Of Thrones". I made it through season 1 and had a couple of thoughts to offer.
One of the current trends in fiction is for authors to create some sort of mega-world where they can create a series of books. While this is not exactly a new phenomenon, it does seem to be a bit more in favor these days.
Unfortunately, many of those series do not produce the level of narrative and character development to justify a multi-part story. It appears from this consumer's perspective that many of these series exist only because the first one or two books were sufficiently promoted to create a sort of reader inertia that carries sales down the line.
Thankfully, George R.R. Martin's "The Game of Thrones" series does not fall into this category. I have read the first four books. I will read the fifth after I place an order for the physical paperback or the Kindle version price comes back to earth.
If find it particularly galling to pay more for an e-book than I would pay for a physical paperback.
In watching the HBO series, I was reminded of how much I have missed these characters. In particular, I am curious about Arya as well as about John Snow dealing with the coming winter. Well written characters and plots create an almost effortless invitation to return to the next installment of a series.
As I have previously observed, Hollywood has undergone a significant change over the last 40 years. This change was immediately apparent in the HBO series. Each episode included at least one or two images of full frontal nudity. Sometimes it was to depict sexual liaisons. At other times it was associated with some sort of punishment. Almost every time, I was struck by the fact that recent films shown in a real theater almost never contain that level of nudity.
Blood? Sure.
Gore? Of course.
Explosions, bullets, rockets? By the traincar load.
Deaths? They stack up the bodies like firewood!
Cursing? Hell yeah.
Nudity? By comparison, it is a sidelight at best.
Far more eloquent observers have pointed out the apparent hypocrisy of Hollywood showing people killing one another with reckless abandon while simultaneously being unwilling to show people loving one another.
Not a bad idea unless you run into a cheapskate like me. Their price per episode ($3 to $6 per) is way too high. Particularly when I can use my Netflix account to get the DVDs.
However, it was a great opportunity to start watching the HBO series "A Game Of Thrones". I made it through season 1 and had a couple of thoughts to offer.
One of the current trends in fiction is for authors to create some sort of mega-world where they can create a series of books. While this is not exactly a new phenomenon, it does seem to be a bit more in favor these days.
Unfortunately, many of those series do not produce the level of narrative and character development to justify a multi-part story. It appears from this consumer's perspective that many of these series exist only because the first one or two books were sufficiently promoted to create a sort of reader inertia that carries sales down the line.
Thankfully, George R.R. Martin's "The Game of Thrones" series does not fall into this category. I have read the first four books. I will read the fifth after I place an order for the physical paperback or the Kindle version price comes back to earth.
If find it particularly galling to pay more for an e-book than I would pay for a physical paperback.
In watching the HBO series, I was reminded of how much I have missed these characters. In particular, I am curious about Arya as well as about John Snow dealing with the coming winter. Well written characters and plots create an almost effortless invitation to return to the next installment of a series.
As I have previously observed, Hollywood has undergone a significant change over the last 40 years. This change was immediately apparent in the HBO series. Each episode included at least one or two images of full frontal nudity. Sometimes it was to depict sexual liaisons. At other times it was associated with some sort of punishment. Almost every time, I was struck by the fact that recent films shown in a real theater almost never contain that level of nudity.
Blood? Sure.
Gore? Of course.
Explosions, bullets, rockets? By the traincar load.
Deaths? They stack up the bodies like firewood!
Cursing? Hell yeah.
Nudity? By comparison, it is a sidelight at best.
Far more eloquent observers have pointed out the apparent hypocrisy of Hollywood showing people killing one another with reckless abandon while simultaneously being unwilling to show people loving one another.
Friday, March 29, 2013
Sublime
Being oriented more towards the science end the world, I am more familiar with the use of the term "sublimation" than with the term "sublime".
Sublimation is the process of a material transitioning from being a solid to being a gas. Gasses are considered to be a higher state relative to solids. Liquids fall in between.
The descriptive use of sublime later became associated with a peak condition or experience. The pretentious will routinely use the term "sublime" thus rendering it less than sublime. The redundant will use the term "most sublime".
As with many superlatives, we may be better served by reserving the descriptive use of "sublime" for those occasions that more accurately reflect its meaning. From a non-scientific perspective, such occasions might be those where an event transends from the base process or elements to become something truly unique.
Consider for a moment the lowly comic strip. In particular, consider strip number 1190 from Randall Munroe of XKCD fame.
The strip began in the wee hours of March 26th using the alternate (mouse over) text "Wait for it". The image changed ever so slightly every half hour or so. Over the course of the day (now 12 hours in as of this writing), the image has changed so that it appears as a sort of stop action film when viewed sequentially. I have no idea how the images will unfold or when they will cease. Randall's history suggests that this could be a massive undertaking that may last for days. It might also be a huge April Fool's Day joke for all we know.
Only time will tell.
The art of XKCD is almost uniformly simplistic. Yet it is through these simple images that Randall communicates thoughts ranging from base puns and geeky legerdermain to observations that come dazzlingly close to sublime.
As the successive images have unfolded thus far, a couple has been seen sitting on a beach. They give the impression of being together, talking, walking a short distance, and building a sand castle. One of the couple left the scene at one point and seemingly returned later on. The other person continued to work on the castle throughout the elapsed time.
The reaction to this strip suggests that it is transcending the initial impression of simple stick figures in motion into being a larger commentary on human perceptions. Within twelve brief hours, XKCD forum posts on this cartoon had jumped up to near 800. Those comments ranged from very technical discussions regarding the computer code required to pull off this digital feat to broader discussions about perceptions of time and the relevance of this piece of art.
One comment that I enjoyed a great deal was by Clavuluza:
Whether or not these images are intended to have Deep Philosophic Significance, they have inspired a great deal of introspection. Obviously, these images invite recursive analysis regarding the comments they inspire.
There are times in life when one should exist within the moment rather than being focused on deconstructing and analyzing the world around them. In such times, it is as important to see and experience as it is to process and comment. These are rare occasions. And in this case, it is sublime.
Enjoy.
Sublimation is the process of a material transitioning from being a solid to being a gas. Gasses are considered to be a higher state relative to solids. Liquids fall in between.
The descriptive use of sublime later became associated with a peak condition or experience. The pretentious will routinely use the term "sublime" thus rendering it less than sublime. The redundant will use the term "most sublime".
As with many superlatives, we may be better served by reserving the descriptive use of "sublime" for those occasions that more accurately reflect its meaning. From a non-scientific perspective, such occasions might be those where an event transends from the base process or elements to become something truly unique.
Consider for a moment the lowly comic strip. In particular, consider strip number 1190 from Randall Munroe of XKCD fame.
The strip began in the wee hours of March 26th using the alternate (mouse over) text "Wait for it". The image changed ever so slightly every half hour or so. Over the course of the day (now 12 hours in as of this writing), the image has changed so that it appears as a sort of stop action film when viewed sequentially. I have no idea how the images will unfold or when they will cease. Randall's history suggests that this could be a massive undertaking that may last for days. It might also be a huge April Fool's Day joke for all we know.
Only time will tell.
The art of XKCD is almost uniformly simplistic. Yet it is through these simple images that Randall communicates thoughts ranging from base puns and geeky legerdermain to observations that come dazzlingly close to sublime.
As the successive images have unfolded thus far, a couple has been seen sitting on a beach. They give the impression of being together, talking, walking a short distance, and building a sand castle. One of the couple left the scene at one point and seemingly returned later on. The other person continued to work on the castle throughout the elapsed time.
The reaction to this strip suggests that it is transcending the initial impression of simple stick figures in motion into being a larger commentary on human perceptions. Within twelve brief hours, XKCD forum posts on this cartoon had jumped up to near 800. Those comments ranged from very technical discussions regarding the computer code required to pull off this digital feat to broader discussions about perceptions of time and the relevance of this piece of art.
One comment that I enjoyed a great deal was by Clavuluza:
Is anyone else concerned at the fact that half-hours go by so quickly? I mean, I can measure my life in half-hours and they seem so ephimeral; reminds me of the Fight Club quote, "this is your life and it's ending one minute at a time". Also, this comic is making us wait to see developments, which is awfully close to real life interactions with stuff (which is kinda cool and very very meta). Furthermore, I am quite amazed at how everyone is trying to figure out some meaning behind it all when maybe, and quite possibly, it's just a pretty comic (much like real life, again), (though by being art it carries meaning just for existing).
Am I making any sense? Whatever, I'm really enjoying this experience.
(And to the people making unhappy predictions, if/when the comic ends and if/when it does it terribly, you can rightly say "I told you so" all you want; but for now, shut up! you're depressing everyone).
Whether or not these images are intended to have Deep Philosophic Significance, they have inspired a great deal of introspection. Obviously, these images invite recursive analysis regarding the comments they inspire.
There are times in life when one should exist within the moment rather than being focused on deconstructing and analyzing the world around them. In such times, it is as important to see and experience as it is to process and comment. These are rare occasions. And in this case, it is sublime.
Enjoy.
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Oh Mighty Passion
From John Cox....
I suspect engineering a few other fields of endeavor would suffer as well.
Plenty of other great art to see while you are visiting his site.
Plenty of other great art to see while you are visiting his site.
Friday, February 15, 2013
Right Around Your Neck
I have been kayaking for a couple years now. I enjoy it a lot.
A while back, I discovered a nifty necklace. In theory, the guy selling them (at the time) was just out of college and looking for ways to make money without getting a real job. 'Cause real jobs cut into your kayaking time. I have no idea if he is still dodging a responsible life, but I sure hope he is.
He was selling Hei Matau pendants. In theory, they are Maori tribal symbols that represent good luck for those that travel over water.
I just thought the kid told a good story. I am certainly grateful for any good luck that might come my way as well.
Wanderer Imports, the young man's company, is offering free shipping to former customers and our friends. Just put the phrase "friendofwandererimports" in the discount box.
The one I wear is the last one on this page. But I'm thinking about buying a couple more. Perhaps you will find one that catches your eye as well.
A while back, I discovered a nifty necklace. In theory, the guy selling them (at the time) was just out of college and looking for ways to make money without getting a real job. 'Cause real jobs cut into your kayaking time. I have no idea if he is still dodging a responsible life, but I sure hope he is.
He was selling Hei Matau pendants. In theory, they are Maori tribal symbols that represent good luck for those that travel over water.
I just thought the kid told a good story. I am certainly grateful for any good luck that might come my way as well.
Wanderer Imports, the young man's company, is offering free shipping to former customers and our friends. Just put the phrase "friendofwandererimports" in the discount box.
The one I wear is the last one on this page. But I'm thinking about buying a couple more. Perhaps you will find one that catches your eye as well.
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Just Piss On That!
You may have heard about Glenn Beck's recent kerfuffle. It seems that he took a figuring depicting Barack Obama as Jesus Christ and put in in a jar. He then filled the jar with urine. It turns out that the fluid was actually beer, which is pretty humourous for what should be obvious reasons.
Now I don't watch or listen to Glenn Beck or Rush Limbaugh. Primarily because I find some of their attempts at sarcastic criticism to cross lines that I am unwilling to cross.
But this particular stunt is perfect.
A few years back, an artist by the name of Andres Serrano created a bit of a kerfuffle with his "art" image of a plastic figurine of Jesus on the cross submerged in a yellow fluid that Mr. Serrano claimed to be his own urine. The piece won an award that was funded in part by the National Endowment of the Arts and became yet another in a series of incidents that suggest that the NEA is wasting our tax dollars.
Fast foward to today, and we have folks that are supportive of Mr. Obama's agenda making favorable comparisons between Jesus and the President.
Mr. Beck then takes that near-religious fervor and criticizes it a way that mimics that of Mr. Serrano's artistic criticism of Christianity.
We end up with the folks that thought that Mr. Serrano and the NEA had done nothing wrong now being outraged when similar contempt is expressed towards one of their icons. Apparently, do as they say, but not as they do?
It most certainly is not a step in the right direction with respect to comity and tolerance between different points of view. But it a timely reminder that if one expects a certain amount of deference toward one's icons, then perhaps one should demonstrate a certain amount of deference towards the icons that are important to others.
Now I don't watch or listen to Glenn Beck or Rush Limbaugh. Primarily because I find some of their attempts at sarcastic criticism to cross lines that I am unwilling to cross.
But this particular stunt is perfect.
A few years back, an artist by the name of Andres Serrano created a bit of a kerfuffle with his "art" image of a plastic figurine of Jesus on the cross submerged in a yellow fluid that Mr. Serrano claimed to be his own urine. The piece won an award that was funded in part by the National Endowment of the Arts and became yet another in a series of incidents that suggest that the NEA is wasting our tax dollars.
Fast foward to today, and we have folks that are supportive of Mr. Obama's agenda making favorable comparisons between Jesus and the President.
Mr. Beck then takes that near-religious fervor and criticizes it a way that mimics that of Mr. Serrano's artistic criticism of Christianity.
We end up with the folks that thought that Mr. Serrano and the NEA had done nothing wrong now being outraged when similar contempt is expressed towards one of their icons. Apparently, do as they say, but not as they do?
It most certainly is not a step in the right direction with respect to comity and tolerance between different points of view. But it a timely reminder that if one expects a certain amount of deference toward one's icons, then perhaps one should demonstrate a certain amount of deference towards the icons that are important to others.
Monday, September 24, 2012
Book Recomendation - Pyongyang
One of the positive aspects of shopping a local store is the ability to see all the things you do not plan on buying. And then sometimes you do anyways.
We have a great comic book shop in town; Nostalgia, Ink. They sell comic books, graphic novels, and all sorts of gaming essentials.
On one visit, I happened across "Pyongyang - A Journey in North Korea" by Guy Delisle. This book tells the story of Mr. Delisle's time in North Korea working as an animator. I think it is more correct to suggest that he was an animation supervisor as he made sure that the grunts that were doing all the real animation work produced art that was marketable in the west.
Just about every page contains a political or cultural anachronism. One random example would be when his North Korean minder told him he would have to turn down his jazz as it could have a bad influence on "the others". Mr. Delisle was working alone in a room with the door shut.
Another passage talks about the curious lack of any handicapped people walking on the city streets. His minder and his driver cheerfully accept this as appropriate without questioning why how that condition could come to exist.
Mr. Delisle spent a fair portion of his non-working time trying to purposefully be non-subversive.
He also passed a copy of George Orwell's infamous "1984" to his minder. Apparently, he didn't like science fiction.
As regular readers know, I have a mild interest in politics. I've read a fair number criticisms of American Presidents that suggest that each in turn is some sort of "Dear Leader"; someone to be followed unquestioningly. I believe I will find those assertions to be politically tone deaf...if not totally stone deaf...in the future.
Read the book to find out why.
We have a great comic book shop in town; Nostalgia, Ink. They sell comic books, graphic novels, and all sorts of gaming essentials.
On one visit, I happened across "Pyongyang - A Journey in North Korea" by Guy Delisle. This book tells the story of Mr. Delisle's time in North Korea working as an animator. I think it is more correct to suggest that he was an animation supervisor as he made sure that the grunts that were doing all the real animation work produced art that was marketable in the west.
Just about every page contains a political or cultural anachronism. One random example would be when his North Korean minder told him he would have to turn down his jazz as it could have a bad influence on "the others". Mr. Delisle was working alone in a room with the door shut.
Another passage talks about the curious lack of any handicapped people walking on the city streets. His minder and his driver cheerfully accept this as appropriate without questioning why how that condition could come to exist.
Mr. Delisle spent a fair portion of his non-working time trying to purposefully be non-subversive.
He also passed a copy of George Orwell's infamous "1984" to his minder. Apparently, he didn't like science fiction.
As regular readers know, I have a mild interest in politics. I've read a fair number criticisms of American Presidents that suggest that each in turn is some sort of "Dear Leader"; someone to be followed unquestioningly. I believe I will find those assertions to be politically tone deaf...if not totally stone deaf...in the future.
Read the book to find out why.
Saturday, September 22, 2012
An Endless World?
XKCD had a great comic a couple days ago. I'm not sure that it will link up well here, so just go there and check it out.
Friday, September 21, 2012
In Flight
I traveled to Greenville, SC last week on business. Air travel being what it is these days, I did not take one of my more capable cameras along. However I did have one on my cell phone.
The airport in Greenville is home to a couple interesting scultures.
The airport in Greenville is home to a couple interesting scultures.
"Boy Aviator" by Dennis Smith, Photo by Dann Todd
"Snow Geese" by Jim Dolan, photo by Dann Todd
"Snow Geese" by Jim Dolan, photo by Dann Todd
The camera on my cell phone obviously did a poor job with the back lighting, but you can still get an impression of the total installation.
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
A New View
Please take a moment to check out the awesome art here.
Numbers 2, 3, 4, 7, and 9 really caught my eye. Number 8 made me think of the wanderings of Bilbo Baggins in "The Hobbit". Number 11 must have been a huge challenge!
Numbers 2, 3, 4, 7, and 9 really caught my eye. Number 8 made me think of the wanderings of Bilbo Baggins in "The Hobbit". Number 11 must have been a huge challenge!
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Moving Madness X
Ok. This isn't really a marble run. But it is cool and has a great jazz tune. You too can count to twelve!
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Art History - Post Script
While researching the work of Guido Cagnacci for by post of a couple days ago, I came across this image.
Fool that I am, I wondered why a baroque era artist would create such a wonderful work of art. Sadly, he didn't.
Fool that I am, I wondered why a baroque era artist would create such a wonderful work of art. Sadly, he didn't.
 |
| Marta rebuking Mary for her vanity - Courtesy of WikiCommons |
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Art History - Dangerous Conclusions
Suicidal women are frequently exhibitionists? Guido Cagnacci had a thing for Cleopatra? Or dead women in general?
Potentially NSFW in some universes.
Potentially NSFW in some universes.
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Moving Madness IX
Another creation from Eddie Boes. Wave Rider. Located at Temecula Pediatric Dentistry in Temecula, Ca. I used to live within an easy drive from there!
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Hearing Motion
The Singing, Ringing Tree is a very cool piece of art that uses the wind as well as its appearance to make an impression. This sculpture is located near Burnley, in Lancashire, England.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)