ARTC 2010 Section 3 Intro to Digital Arts

Name an Early artist mentioned in the article for CONCEPTUAL WORK performing in front of the camera. Describe a work. (2 points)

Vito Acconci did a few conceptual works that were mentioned in the article. All of them revolved around confronting the viewer. Barraging the viewer with sexual invitations, word games, statements and questions he makes it apparent that video is only a medium not reality.

Name an artist mentioned who deals with PERSONAL NARRATIVE. Describe a work. (2 points)

Seoung Cho did a personal narrative doing activities that showcased his loneliness and longing in spirit. The regularity of life shows his emptiness and longing.

Describe the piece you were most interested in viewing after reading this article. Look the work up on the links, and expand on Rush’s comments. (2 points)

Many of the works intrigued me, but the upbeat charm of William Wegman’s dogs work its way over me. This video was much better than it worked its way out in my mind. Imagining dogs following something with such concentration comes nowhere close to actually seeing it. Each point he was addressing with this illustration was easily accepted, because of the humor that was evident in it.

What do you better understand now about Video Art? (2 points)

Originally I could correlate to it, because I had done a few similar things that involved video art (without knowing it). Yet I felt that the medium was somewhat limited, because the videos were not necessarily entertaining. They may have been fascinating or interesting videos, but they were at times longwinded and tiresome. Now I see the art and the purpose of such videos in our culture, as well as the ability to make them entertaining while retaining their message.

Based on Rush and this article, what makes Video Art vs. an “artful video”? (2 points)

Video Art is more distinctly alternative and against mainstream video like TV. It takes video and uses it as an end in itself rather than a medium to translate a story, image or sound. Because Video Art is seen as an end in itself the artists who use it generally know the electronics of the system, and exploit them to create experiences that are in themselves distinctly video (they do not mimic real life).

Artful Video is professional video as it has always been done. Things like sitcoms or television would fit under this category. Documentaries, the news or anything that is done for television is artful video, in that it showcases talent in using the video camera. However, the camera itself is merely a tool for them to express a story, event, etc.

Everything in quotations starting with the “Not quite sure” and ending in the “am editing it” I posted a few days ago as a replied comment to Heather (I’m quite sure she saw it), yet I’m still not sure I want to do what I have planned in quotations.

To be completely honest over the past week much thought has gone into this movie, yet movie as a self-portrait still baffles me. If weened down to one thing that describes me I would pick Jesus (God). There is no debating that, but explanation of God is considerably difficult. Time and time again, as a Christian artist, forcing Him into my projects ends in failure. His word has taught me to rely on Him for such things, and allow Him to show Himself.

This leaves me in a bit of a predicament, as the project edges forward. Instead of planning this movie to be about anything, simply letting it be would be much more natural. Letting me be my unrestrained self in front of the camera would work better at articulating myself. Ideas may come to me and a few have, and not utilizing them would be stupid (and not to mention against my own character). Ultimately, I’m not against planning the video, yet not much has come to me except this unfettered idea of “natural me”.

Expansion on this idea involves hours of film, talking/reacting to cameras and acting plainly as if no one was watching.  Filming myself in the most mundane activities, like practicing an instrument, drawing, ect. would be one tactic used int eh film. Another tactic would be sudden outburst of things that happened to pop into my head (puns and such). Also explanations of myself that would be detailed and well thought out. Through this video I hope to lay all my cards on the table, and hopefully make some sort of point by the end of it.

Because of the manner of the video there won’t be many, if any, transitions (those are my thoughts at this point in the process). Many of the shots will be close-ups, because many of the surroundings of BG I don’t find particularly aesthetically pleasing. Yet many of the shots will be mid-ranged to show scenes with multiple people or an activity that I am participating in.  Ground shots I predict to be fairly common as well. Thinking ahead to process overwhelms my mind, because I’m still struggling with subject like I stated earlier. All that I can truly say is that the footage I take will be raw, and I wish to crop and show highlights to illustrate who I am.

“Not quite sure I want to do any of that. Thank you for your reply though. Truly I was just trying to get something moving in my head. My mind wasn’t working at all in the way of movies.

Now I know what I need to do.

If I’m going to do a self portrait movie it would have to revolve around God. There’s no getting around that fact. Art does nothing for me. Away from Jesus there is no purpose, joy or Love in my life. Don’t get me wrong, there are wonderful friends, family, etc in my life, but none of that can compare to the Lord Jesus Christ. There is only one who can pick my true self out brush me off and set me rolling again and that is my Savior. Art is only a part of my life to express how great he is and what he has done for me.
This movie needs to be candid. As far as monologue or dialogue I’m not sure what it will be, but it needs to be guttural and true. I’m positive I’ll do a voice over. There will probably be many frontal close up shots and profile ones. I want to interview people’s thoughts on God. I want to ask people questions and give testimonies.
My audience is college kids, so anywhere I go they’ll be able to I.D. it off the bat, since they live in the same environment. I want to use this fact to my advantage by cropping things out or putting a new spin on familiar things. God is the real subject of the film, so ultimately I’m trying to show him not a bunch of pretty backgrounds (so location doesn’t matter).
As far as the music goes I want to use some of my own if possible, but it doesn’t matter much to me. I may use some of my friends’ music or maybe write something for this project.
There will be a fast paced part of this movie, but there will also be an incredibly personal part of this movie. What people believe and my own conviction will be juxtaposed, but I’m still not 100% sure how this is going to come out until I have a ton of footage and am editing it.”