Looking Outwards : assigment 4
Looking outwards:
For this assigment, I stumbled across a huge variety in things I like and things I didn’t. Here is the first thing I didn’t like:
This particular artist took common everyday objects and distorted them using 3D software. Unfortunately his finished products are exceptionally useless: For example, if he scanned a watering can or a vase in, the end result will not be functional as either a vase or as a watering can, or for anything else for that matter. The reason this irritates me (as his forms are indeed beautiful) is that 3D printing is an exceptionally precise, controllable art! There is nothing preventing the artist from taking his design one step further. Perhaps he felt that by creating a functional object his art would no longer be considered art?
Next, here’s a project which has a lot of potential but I don’t consider a veritable success:
http://www.the-product.org/soundmachines
Soundmachines from The Product on Vimeo.
The idea is to sproduce a much more visual connection between sound and physical records, in this case. The reason I found this project somewhat uninteresting is very similar to the first: The sounds simply aren’t that interesting! As a prototype this device works fabulously, and I condone The Project for showing how devices like records work. At the end of the day, however, I would have like to have a slightly better result.
Finally: Something (or somethings I liked):
The Creative Applications Network: What is there NOT to like? Every project I’ve found by them is incredible. My favorite has unfortunately already been taken by Miles, but I liked it so much I’m going to mention it anyway. The project where the memory taken from your computer is used to weave a tapestry — which I think is a great demonstration of (1) just how reliable we have become on computers (a generic statement, I know) and just how interchangeable our memories and those of our computers are, and (2) how it is important to have a constant reminder of your memories around you. Tapestries are made for display, and textiles are undoubtedly one of the more “useful” art forms. You are but the product of your memories and experiences.
Fragmented Memory Process (Edited for Wired 2013) from Phillip Stearns on Vimeo.