As the name implies Hassan Pitts "Interstitial" is about interweaving spacing of time. The subject matter of that time is the artist himself removing his body piercings and then shaving his entire head and face. The effect of the piece is taking a single time line of the video and then overlaying it on top of the same video with a certain amount of transparency but playing at a different point in the time line. This causes the viewer to initially become intrigued by the effect in the video that is most apparent but upon watching it the viewer can drift off into different layers of the video. I thought the effect was very interesting and could be used for many different subject matters. The time difference between the layers changes during the viewing experiences making the video have more possible interpretations. This project seems to be an idea in its infancy and I hope to see it expanded on many different levels. On a side note, the sound added a nice vibe to create a mood for the viewer.
I would like the artist to look into using Flash to possibly program the video to be more interactive or maybe add more of a random element to the viewing experience that could be unique to each person watching. Adding interaction to the piece may allow the viewer to relate their own experiences to what the artist is trying to convey with removing his external identity.
The biggest problem with the video was the artist's tattoos. I found them to be a great prop in the beginning but once all of the jewelry was removed I felt like they became a distraction. If the artist could have somehow removed the tattoos I feel like the them of the film would have been more complete. Maybe some steak knives and cutting off flesh is in order.... Ok so maybe just some special effects? One last thing, why not shave off the eyebrows???
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Sunday, April 26, 2009
DOUG MENUEZ
Doug spoke at a local ASMP event recently here in Richmond and really indulged his audience with secrets. Doug started with his teenage history and how he came into photography and led us using the photos he took. He went on to tell us about his first few jobs in photography and how he eventually found himself in advertising. Doug is very involved with his community and really gives back to other photographers through seminars and the like. Along with giving back to photographers he really tries to give back to the world by actively working with groups such as Empower African Children.
Ok, so this sounds like most seminars but here is where Doug is different. He admits he still doesn't know what he wants to do with his life but has a general idea. This is great to hear because everyone has that fear at some point in their life, and to hear this from an established pro helps make sense of things. Doug is different because he also lets us in on some secrets to success. Some key points on this he made were to let go of fear, unless you do so you can't move forward. Also, he told us how he became happy with what he was doing. He looked back at the work from when he was starting out and figured out why he liked that body of work. He then really pushed for only working with people who hired him for his artistic eye, rather than telling him what to shoot. The latter is a risk that had to be taken in order for it to ever come to fruition.
Doug has worked in Silicon Valley and photographed the mid 1980's computer business explosion. Having worked in many of the same buildings he took pictures in years ago it made for a really interesting connection between his work. While I was in Palo Alto I thought about the technology that had been created their and the workforce environment. Doug captured the essence of that by his style of capturing "the moment". Doug offered inspiration to me on a simple basis of shoot what you love and take the risk to do so.
Ok, so this sounds like most seminars but here is where Doug is different. He admits he still doesn't know what he wants to do with his life but has a general idea. This is great to hear because everyone has that fear at some point in their life, and to hear this from an established pro helps make sense of things. Doug is different because he also lets us in on some secrets to success. Some key points on this he made were to let go of fear, unless you do so you can't move forward. Also, he told us how he became happy with what he was doing. He looked back at the work from when he was starting out and figured out why he liked that body of work. He then really pushed for only working with people who hired him for his artistic eye, rather than telling him what to shoot. The latter is a risk that had to be taken in order for it to ever come to fruition.
Doug has worked in Silicon Valley and photographed the mid 1980's computer business explosion. Having worked in many of the same buildings he took pictures in years ago it made for a really interesting connection between his work. While I was in Palo Alto I thought about the technology that had been created their and the workforce environment. Doug captured the essence of that by his style of capturing "the moment". Doug offered inspiration to me on a simple basis of shoot what you love and take the risk to do so.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
What did make it into the Student Exhibition
I can see why VCU is known for having one of the best sculpture departments in the country. The sculpture work was well presented and raised questions to its audience. The crafts, paintings and photography were pretty good as well. Its a worth while show to visit. I posted a few pics of whats in the gallery.
What didn't make it into the Student Exhibition?
I was walking around the Broad St. School of the Arts Building and took a look at the sculpture submissions for the VCU Student Exhibition. The pictures of the work that I posted I personally found very interesting. Some of them probably didn't make it into the show because of their physical size. Others maybe didn't make the cut because of the works fit and finish. Something more VCU students should consider when entering their work in any show.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Artist Statement
Inspired by the ability of main stream media motion pictures to alter the emotional state of viewers, David Thompson strives to bring this effect into his body of work. His goal is to make his work provocative enough that his viewers will question the content within the work and apply those questions to their physical environment. Playing off of the realities of main stream news stories and societies reactions, he creates imaginary works that tell the possibilities of what is to come with hope to inspire action within communities.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
VCU Student Exhibition @ Anderson Gallery
Not sure how I missed the info for this one but it popped up on my radar screen the day before the show. I managed to submit three pieces of work.
I feel like this one could have made it in if the picture didnt pop in the frame right after I submitted it.
The back of all the work looks like this:
(the little check box says NOT ACCEPTED, otherwise known as REJECTED)
So nothing made it into the show.
Next year I will mark my calendar better and make sure I have enough time to properly prepare my work for a gallery showing and I hopefully I'll have a better chance of getting in the show.
I feel like this one could have made it in if the picture didnt pop in the frame right after I submitted it.
The back of all the work looks like this:
(the little check box says NOT ACCEPTED, otherwise known as REJECTED)
So nothing made it into the show.
Next year I will mark my calendar better and make sure I have enough time to properly prepare my work for a gallery showing and I hopefully I'll have a better chance of getting in the show.
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