Ascott

It's kind of crazy to think after reading the article that he pretty accurately predicted how computers would affect out lives, culture, society, and of course the art world. It's hard to get a solid notion to whether or not Ascott saw the evolution of art and technology and its merging together to create this kind of viewer-based art we're now almost completely accustomed too, but I get the feeling that he knew something like that was coming. Exemplified in a quote from the article that was further discussed in class, Ascott says, "the piece's physical structure is such that its individual  constituent parts change their relationships, either by the direct manipulation of the spectator, or by his shifting viewpoint, or by the agency of electrical or other natural power". I enjoyed the article and how amped Ascott was about the computer and what it can do, and more importantly what we can do with it. It was an upbeat article that made me want to keep jumping on into new softwares and programs, without hesitation, because there is really no point in me sitting around and waiting for someone else to create something that will in turn make my work and art better. The only solution and way I'm going to become in control of my own technology is to do it myself. 

Hacker Manifesto

Wark's Hacker Manifesto definitely changed my own and I think a lot of peoples in the class's definition of a hacker. Until reading the article the only thing I could really relate hacking or  a "hacker" to was identity theft and fraud. In the early days of the internet becoming mainstream    (I might even be to young to reference that), but what I remember to be the start of it all, my mother constantly warned me about all the horror that could come from putting all your private information out there, online, for all to see. At that time, all my other friends got to order their sold out Abercrombie threads online, but I was banned from even asking my mother to let me put all her credit card and personal information online. Although I've always fought her on this and her stubborn ways, I am aware of how easy it is to "get hacked". After reading the article and as I journey more and more into the art would especially the digital side of things I'm confronted with hacking again. But this time, it's seen as this marvelous thing. People are rewarded for using programs in ways in which they weren't intended; and I'm intrigued. I'm intrigued with the technology and programs that are being hacked and the great things that are coming from it. If I were a programer I guess I'd be pissed to see all my hard work get hacked, but as an artist all that comes to mind as a defense is re-appropriation. There can be no validation of a hack or theft if what is being used is used in a way that no way resembles the original.

Rise of the VJ

The article was really inspiring for me. I found it interesting to read about what is sparking the passion for artists to create this kind of visual performance art. I think the reason I am so interested in being a VJ is because like stated in the article, it's the diversity of the concepts, techniques and aesthetic qualities that make it so exciting and impressive. I found the work as far as using VDMX and quartz in class to be really enjoyable. It seems to be the next step, a new way to use video and audio combined to heighten the viewers senses. There is a thrill factor involved whether you are the performer or just a viewer, and it has a lot to do with that sense of immediacy; the right now, and the knowing that there's a large chance that you will never perform or see that same performance exactly how you have the first time. The art form, its content and the media in which it's created in is always changing with the advances in technology. I never saw myself as a VJ or as having the ability to express myself and the feelings of others through my art using this type of medium. I'm no longer threatened by the technology and instead I embrace it and all the possibilities for work that it brings. Hopefully I will continue to be able to create video/audio works that aren't just beautiful but that have meaning as well. 

User Interface: A Personal View (Alan kay)

Alan Kay created the most crucial advancement of human-computer interactivity, the GUI (graphical user interface). He created the GUI after being introduced to the mouse for computing, which was the first possibility to "navigate" information space. Kay created computing functions such as folders, menus,  and overlapping windows on desktops. The GUI was a new approach to interactive computing; it let people formulate ideas in real time by manipulating icons on the computer screen. The time came when the computer was accessible to non specialists, it was brought to the everyday man/woman.  The computer was then seen as something to be used as a form or expression an way to get out ones creativity. Kay believes that one day the computer might replace books. I think now in 2009 we're almost at that point, everything that you can find in a book is almost completely accessible via the internet. It makes me question what that means for us now, is the computer has taken over the book then what else can is take over or what will take over the computer. The computer vs. book idea also makes you think about how the computer has over time changed our culture and lifestyles. Modern user interface design came around in the 50s and 60s and included pointing devices, windows, menus, icons, gesture recognition, hypermedia, and the first personal computer. In 1968 the flat screen display was first seen. Kay in 1968 wondered when it would become large enough and cheap enough that it would be considered a useful display an object for the masses. Just like with the book situation mentioned earlier I also believe we're at the point where it may not be during these economic woes the most cost friendly but the flat screen is certainly readily available, and offered in a variety of sizes. I think Kay's discussion on the man vs. computer was interesting, when he said " even though humans are the animals that shape tools, it is in the nature of tools and man that learning to use tools reshapes us"(pg.4). He said that the printing press didn't change us because it made books more available, it did it by changing the thought pattern of those who learned how to read. This can be related to the computer now as we might be stepping away from books, that the time has come that the personal computer is readily available, but having a computer isn't as important as knowing how to use one. Once you know how to use a computer the possibilities are in a way endless, the opportunities for expression and creativity mixed with the whole interactive aspect. I enjoyed the section where Kay discusses how Mcluhan's writings about the computer as a medium. I think originally the computer was seen as a tool, and in the last 30 years or so has it been considered a medium. Going back to the book vs. computer topic kay adds in how the computer "also promised to surpass the book to bring about a new kind of renaissance by going beyond the static representations to dynamic simulation". I began to get confused when Kay began to discuss user interface design and how it should include the three mentalities (doing, image, and symbolic). I understand that one single mentality can not answer to an entire range of thinking and problem solving. The Hadamard study results helped put things together for me, and helped me get an idea of how the mentalities are seen/or related to one another.

Photosynth

#1: bhnc

This was my first attempt at photosynth. I tried to play with the idea of texture. I created my own sort of still life with three people adorned with a multitude of different fabrics and textures. My synthy was pretty low for this, but I kind of expected that. I had shot in the dark and the models were getting upset posing for so long, so photosynth had a hard time recognizing and stringing along some of the images. As we've discussed in class I think that if the program allowed us to be  little more interactive i.e. able to choose which images go where, etc. I think the idea behind this would have been a little more successful.

#2: Asdfasdasdfs

This was my second attempt. I kind of used it as a backup incase my first project didn't work out as I'd planned. For this attempt i took a large amount of tea boxes and kind of formed a "tower of tea". My shots for this attempt were more planned and arranged I think in an easier way for photosynth to understand. I got 93% synthy, which i was pretty happy about. You can move all the way around the object and see the towers from above. The only problem I had with photosynth during this attempt was movability while observing the finished 3d image.

Behaviorist Art and the Cybernetic Vision