Blog #1

In perusing through the Rollins College Lens-Based Media Forum website, I came across a few photographs that I particularly liked by Amy Elkins,

I particularly like this one by Amy because at first glance it just seems like an ordinary letter, but upon closer inspection the word "deceased" is nonchalantly written in the middle of the envelope, giving the previously cheery photograph an unexpectedly ominous feel.  

Again, by Amy, this family portrait is very tense despite the subject matter of a mother with her two daughters.  The cool colors used and the less-than-impressed expressions on each of their faces gives this piece an off-putting feeling that makes the viewer (well me at least) uncomfortable.  

Ok, this is the last thing by Amy Elkins, but I couldn't resist.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyzkzDjbOIY&feature=player_embedded&noredirect=1 

This URL is a youtube video of her montage of sky videos which she has taken from multiple, stationary positions and then sped up time so that the view gets to see the vast changes in light that take place throughout the day.  I find her work here fascinating. I already have an inclination to be drawn to nature and I really appreciate the different colors she was able to obtain from just filming the sky.  However, I personally would have chosen less disruptive music to go along with that piece.  

Ok this one by Melanie Flood I had to include just because it looks like a 1970s cocaine party gone wrong.  Clearly a sculpture of sorts with probably photo manipulation, Melanie has done an excellent job of making this otherwise cheery scene with bright colors and confetti, seem like a disturbed plane wreck...quite literally.  Although it is my least favorite part of the pice due to its lack of texture, I am interested to know how she included the rainbow into her final work of art.  

Last one for today, this photograph is also by Melanie Flood.  According to an interview with her by Blake Andrews, it is a self portrait of her behind a metallic screen.  This is quite possibly my favorite image discussed so far.  Even after she tells us what this is a picture of, it remains completely abstract.  I love the compilation of colors created by the metallic screen as well.  It gives off an essence of nature with its floral colors despite the fact that it is made completely from non-natural material.  

Response to "Video Art" Pages 1-38

         Michael Rush describes television as the breakthrough invention on the road to video art.  The ability to spread news around the technologically modern world was a chance revolutionists, politicians, and artist alike couldn’t resist.  Rush goes so far as to say that the invention of the television paired with the big anti-war riots and feminist revolution in the 1960s is the entire reason video art became a success as a modern art form in today’s society.  However, I would like to know if the political scene of the 1960s had not been so media-filled, would video art still have made it into the hearts of so many artists to date? 

            Rush also points out that one of the main reasons video became so popular with the common person so quickly was that it provided immediate gratification to be able to see one’s self on the tape instantly after shooting.  However, not all artists viewed this attention to the self in videos as a good thing.  American critic Rosalind Krauss thought that this type of video was merely an exploitation of an artist ‘s ego rather than an actual new art form.  She proposed a question, which I would like to now propose to all of you: “Does photographing the self constitute pathological narcissism?”  And even if it does constitute narcissism, does this prevent video art from actually being art? Where should the line be drawn between home videos and self-obsessed video “art”?  

Testing, 1, 2, 3, testing...

Testing, 1, 2, 3, testing...  Dawn can you hear me now?  As a first-time blogger, I just wanted to make sure that I did this correctly.  Let me know if you can read it.