Week 11: Imagine - You are the Camera.

"I always made stuff but I never once though, I'm going to be an artist."

- Mark Bradford, New York Magazine. 2007

Hey there! Back again for the semi-final blog. You know, I'm actually going to miss doing this. I've always wanted to record what goes on in my life and maybe have an impact on someone or something but I never thought my life was.. really that interesting. This could be a new leaf for me. Maybe start an art blog for my works in progress. Could help me with my coursework too. Awesome!

Now then, down to business. This blog has a focus on the importance of Video Art. We look at how it can enhance our chances of getting oruselves into the real world. Just because you're doing dance or design doesn't mean you shouldn't learn the art of editing and producing a video.

Week 11: The World of Video Art.

I'll make this clear first, so far I've only mentioned Video Art but throughout this blog I will compare Video Art and Short Film (Moving Image). Some of you are wondering what the real difference is. Well Short Film has a proper narrative,  a structure that it will follow. Where as Video Art is created purely to show off one's ability with shooting and editing footage. One makes sense and the other doesn't really have to. Make more sense now? We were shown two examples by Paul to express the differences.

Lights, Camera.. Action!

Example one was a short film about a 'Useless Dog'. The farmer complained about how useless his sheep dog was but he loved her all the same. This film is effective because we grew fond of the animal as the owner verbally bullied her. Why is is so effective? The entire film is made of close-ups so we get all the detail, and everything is shot from the perspective of the dog. We see the dog going through her everyday life, enjoying herself and doing what dogs usually do! With a voice overlay of the farmer saying how useless the dog is. Doesn't seem really fair!

Being able to get the emotion into such a short 5 minute film is very impressive, as the concept is so difficult. Think of any show, Eastenders or Family Guy. As an audience we grow to love and hate certain characters based on their actions, it's all planned. They have more time to develop the characters personality so we can connect more with them. You can't connect with the character? Your audience won't enjoy the result!

Short films must be planned and perfected in every possible way. There's so much to think about. I did a short film for my Media course, it was a 5 minute song Single Camera Drama. I got a high mark in the end, just my audio was a bit off. That kicked me a little but I'm proud of what I produced. The amount of work involved behind the scenes isn't something to laugh at. Piles of storyboards and various different concepts. It took us months to get it all together, all the way from start to finish. But it did what I set out to do. Capture my audience to love and feel grief for my character.

So, a short film is made to display one's ability to produce a proper film-like video. It expresses their skills in editing, capturing footage, narrative structure and alike. In an interview, that's what people are looking for in a short film production. But a short film is usually only produced for more film and tv based courses, however nobody's stopping you! It takes a lot to make a short film, well worth the challenge if you ask me.

Now then what's the alternative option..?

For those who don't think that the route of short film production will get them anywhere, that doesn't always mean that creating a video would be a waste of time. No, not a chance. That's where video art comes into play. The purpose of video art is to show off your abilities. There doesn't have to be a story, but some do include a strong message. I haven't made anything that I would consider to be 'showing off my skills' but I have made a few music videos using images as a hobby over the past few years. Fault of my best friend Clare, she decided it would be a good idea because I have 'weird and creative ideas' apparently.
But I digress.

Paul showed us a video that expressed the nature of video art. Visually it wasn't very much. The student had taken footage of his beloved drum set, blurred the video and put a blue tint on it. As I said, not much to look at. However that was not the idea behind the video. Video art focuses on getting an emotional response, there's rarely any narrative. The idea of the 'art' in a story-form is basically none existent. In this video with the drum set, the student put a jazz-like soundtrack into the video with a master instrument of drums. The way the video is edited together makes it feel like the student is embracing and caressing his drums. He's expressing the love he has for such an item, to him it's a sacred object. True beauty. And that pretty much sums up Video Art.

All the art should make the ordinary, extraordinary.

As I've continued to mention, anything can be art if that's what you desire it to be. All art big or small will have an emotional impact. Any human being should not feel empty at the sight of art. Be it a dance, a piece of music, a painted picture. They are all creative and all expressive to each unique person. Just like blogs! They can be acts of creative mind, they're unique to each person that writes them. This is our way of expressing ourselves. Showing the world how unique we are as human beings. And that is what makes us so special in this world.

Just some food for thought! That concludes this weeks post. Next week is the final week and words tells me that Paul is in London so who knows what will be in store for us in our final week! Watch this space to find out!

For those interested, below is a few links of my work:

My Single Camera Drama

My Music Video

My DeviantART Page

Until next time. :)

Week 10: Reach for the Stars!

"The time has come to show them what you're made of." - Born to lead by Falling in Reverse.

Nearly Christmas! Isn't that exciting? I can't wait to be back at home with my family during the cold nights! Right then, there was no post last week because we had no class to blog about. But I'm back this week as Paul gave us the options to 'get known' in the outside world. Build our career and look to the future now! Let's get started!

Week 10: Reach for the Stars!

We're doing this course for the next few years, but how exactly do we get out there? Into the real world with our work and talents. It's not like we have the bosses from major graphic design, or gaming companies tracking every step we take then they pick numbers from a hat. I wish it was that simple. In order to get out there we have to make the effort ourselves. So how exactly do we get our message out there?

Well, what exactly does an audience want?

Good question. In the past Art was considered a subject of 'snobbery' only the finest people could view the finest paintings and others barely knew they existed. Over the years, art became more of an open topic and it doesn't matter who you are you can love and enjoy art. I love the fact that I can talk about music and drama as being an art form. The creativity behind any type of art, including any music or drama production, should be appreciated by all who find it a fascinating subject.

The most popular areas for showing off art of any kind is a  Museum, a Gallery or a Pop-up Exhibition. Along side these there is also Self Publishing, Public Art and Site Specific Exhibitions. Don't give me that confused look just yet, they're all pretty self-explanitory. I will talk about a few of them below. Let's start with the Museum:

Fine Art Museum in Brussels.

Museum's were the prime place to see examples of famous art. The richest of people went to top notch museums to see the most incredible pieces of art ever produced. Museum's are all about history, which means that in the modern day they're dying out. With the internet, we can see what we want, and learn what we want when we want to. So why would we go to a museum? Exactly, we wouldn't. I have never been to a museum in my life, that I can remember. I never saw any interest in them. Then again I have a love for gothic artists (professional and none professional) found in fancy art books, not quite Van Goth. Ha. Sorry.

Paul explained that museum's don't give people what they want in the modern day. We want to be interacting with the art itself, we need it to be accessable. Museum's are very restricting and silent, there's rules you have to follow like you have to remain quiet and stand behind barriers. They're stuck in the past, so to speak (Where are these horrible puns coming from..) and that's why they're starting to fall apart as society moves on. We can archive our own lives, we're recording history ourselves! However, not all is lost! A few museum's have allowed more interaction with their exhibits. My prime example is Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.

Modernisation: The Face-Lift.

The fantastic Rijkmuseum in Amsterdam, The Netherlands!

It was recently re-opened  after having a complete remodel to enhance the popularity. Needless to say it worked. The visitors have increased by 3000% since the opening, isn't that just incredible! They removed the boundaries from their art and allowed the public to get close to the exhibits, share the experience and make their own changes. They also took the information OUTSIDE the museum, there is an area of Schipol airport where the passengers waiting for flights can relax and use the computers, or read the books and maybe see some displays of art. It's had a serious effect on the community.

Ask anybody in The Netherlands about Rijksmuseum and they'll tell you it's a unique experience. I'm still trying to convince my boyfriend to take me there for my birthday. He lives near Amsterdam so two birds with one stone! There are a few museums in the world that have adapted to this 'modern' aspect of history I've only mentioned Rijksmuseum as a personal interest of mine.

Within the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.

In order for somebody to care about a piece of art it needs to get an emotional reaction from the viewer because of this, a few artists in the world choose to create their pieces using the Earth itself. Usually to express a strong opinion. I love the idea of using nature to create art because nature itself is just absolutely beautiful. Just imagine the art you could create! Growing plants and trees in a particular pattern or even designing your own landmass. It's truely mind boggling!

Though, one particular artists gives out a pretty damn strong opinion about our Earth. When Paul showed us this piece I couldn't help but feel horrified!

The Destruction of Our Mother Nature.

Robert Smithson produced this piece of art to get a loud message out to the world. A message that shocked anybody who looked at it. I understood the message and the art but that doesn't make it right. I mean, how do you feel by looking at this piece? A truck load of oil being spilt over a beautiful landscape and completely ruining it. It made me feel slightly nautious and that.. Is exactly the feeling Mr Smithson wanted to get across with this event. Something so simple has such a powerful message. A message that says 'Hey, we have this beautiful world to ourselves and all we do is destroy it. Good going!' One other thing this also expresses is that our own personal gallery is all around us. The Earth is our Gallery.

Alright, but do we have to be that fancy to get out there?

Honestly, no. Not really. But the idea of showing off your art in a grand fashion like that makes the hair on the back of my neck stand on end. It's been a dream for me to be known by millions and make people smile or even shed a tear upon gazing my art. The future seems to be based around the idea of 'pop-up' exhibits, something that doesn't stand forever but it's placed in such a way that you will notice it. For example, there was a group of drama students in the university and they hung string with heaps of underwear on it in the library. The reactions were mixed but very vibrant in opinion. Needless to say they wanted to make a stand and be remembered. They certainly did that.

Exhibition of several young artists work
in South Asia.

The usage of the internet also allows a young artists of any kind to get themselves out their into the world. There are many sites that you can go to and obtain an audience. Sometimes 'internet fame' could follow but nowadays that's hard to achieve. But think about it, the internet connects people all over the world so why can't you get involved? Spread your passion with other people. Take a chance and see where it gets you. Publish a small book, throw out some doodles. You could be surprised at the result.

So, think for a moment. Why confine yourself to a small room or space with limited amount of art on show? Get out there and let people notice you. Use a website, start an exhibition, anything is something, and something is a start. Start of something quite incredible if that's what you desire the most. :)

Next week is the semi-last week of my first semester! Paul will be looking at moving image and video art, and how we can use them to our advantage. Because face it.. Doesn't matter what you're interested in subject-wise, everyone loooves a good video. If you're going to make one, then do it right~

Below I've left the links of a few things I've spoke about up above. Check them out, I really recommend it.

Homepage for Rijksmuseum.

Another fascinating Earth exhibit.

Earth Artist - Robert Smithson

Until next time. :)

P.S. If my boyfriend reads this then I just want to say... Hi Robin, not giving any tips about a present for me or anything in future. Haha.. Ha.. :)