The Fluxus Artists.

The first thing that comes to mind when I think of the Fluxus movement is Yoko Ono. The second thing that comes to mind, however, is the phrase "change". I'll be honest in saying that I wasn't particularly fond of the collective group of works produced by the Fluxus artists, but I'll admit they certainly had a lot of influence over future generations of artists, including myself. Their ground-breaking ideas were bold and inventive, their methods were strange and ambiguous, but their general purpose was the main attraction for the change that occurred in the art world following their creation. The idea that art can continually shock and redefine society is a powerful message to conceive and enforce. The Fluxus movement, while not particularly as active today, set the stage for modern art to evolve into many different mediums and collaborate in many different ways. This evolution was and still is crutial to the art world and society as a whole, to reinvent and make better the odd world we live in.

Sound Art

I'll be the first to admit I was half-asleep listening and watching the video on sound art and John Cage, but the content, on reflection, is both fascinating and mystical. The odd noises and compositions created by Cage involved not only the musician, but the audience, and it truly reflects in the infamous contemporary piece 4'33". I loved Cage's use of the prepared piano, that while he did not invent the technique, he definitely popularized it. The produced sounds of the performances were haunting, and left me intrigued to hear more. What I found most interesting, I think, was Cage's collaborative work between himself and many different types of artists: from painters and dancers, to video-makers. Between the artists he would collaborate with, they came to the conclusion that the two different types of art could co-exist without having to do with one another. I loved the concept behind that idea, as I also feel not all art has to relate to one another. The randomness of one thing will not always correspond to the randomness of a completely different art form.

I'm definitely interested on learning more about the sound art and Fluxus movements, as it serves as the roots for much of the modern music I listen to today. I should look up more on that kinda stuff yeah?

yeah.

Bjork.

I mean Matthew Barney. So Creamaster 3. A very conceptual piece of video and visual art, and in it's own world. The Order, while poorly shot, makes up in concept and visual cues. The abstract ideas presented in the video are both oddly grotesque and mystifying, and while a lot of the concepts were hard to follow, the unifying idea of rediscovery and backtracking provided for an interesting storyline. I will admit, I first found the video dull and pretentious, but later realized and understood some of the concepts that were conveyed throughout the work, and found myself drawn to the overall film. As mentioned in the class, the short film has a video-game-esque essence presented, with a timer running down, different levels to the storyline, and the use of backtracking to gain more knowledge / tools. Being a moderate gamer myself, this idea really stuck to me (and has set me in a state of reminiscing) and gave an interesting perspective to the action in all.

I wish Matthew Barney would have decided to shoot and edit the short film a little more professionally, but it definitely gives it a more lasting and real impression...

Hackers, in MY art?

I'm not exactly sure about the reason for this article, but admittedly, it gives an interesting insight into what inspired and evolved Net Art. It mostly felt like an introduction and exhibition of who the seeming "founders" of the movement were. I will say that at first, I didn't even realize Net Art was started in the manner it was, but seeing the progression from Paik to JODI was telling in the sense that this modern style of work was started in a physical manifestation, through the use of television and video. While I found the article a little dull, the content matter itself is something to be pondered on... evolution in art starts in such strange ways, I suppose.

Man Ray, man...

I never really understood how intense and broad Man Ray's work was. He was really crazy, but not really in a bad way, just kind of in a bipolar way. His interviews and works were really proving towards his good side, but hearing about how he claimed the photo Lee Miller developed as his own, and then throwing her out of his studio just really irked me. I will admit, the biography did make him seem very stereotypical artist of his time, because of his obsession with women and complicated life story (etc etc). Most of all I found it interesting that he's mostly only known for his photography/rayograph work, but he did SO much more in his life. I guess it kind of sucks that he's known for so little, but it really is true what was said in the movie that artists never really gain recognition until they die.

Kind of depressing.

Eh, it was still a very nice insight into his life, a bit brief in some areas, but interesting nonetheless.

This is a title.

And these are some words.

Awesome.