Project 1, Abstract Recreation

For my project I decided to recreate Kazmir Malevich's Avtoportret v dvukh izmereniiakh (Self Portrait in Two Dimensions) created first in 1915. My Work is linked, the original is here.  I chose this work to begin with because I know nothing of processing prior to this class (I am currently taking 301 at the same time) and thought that this piece was complex enough to get the basics down.  This piece struck me because it involved multiple shapes and colors, as well as the alignment of the corners of shapes as well.  For colors I would rate it a 7 out of 10 because without these colors the work would be very boring to look at, just a bunch of placed images on a page.  However I would give the placement of these shapes a 10 out of 10.  The big dark square in the upper center of the page ties everything together.  What I mean is the corners of other shapes lie in an almost perfectly straights line in respect to other shapes on the page, as such I used the square for placement of my other shapes inside my code.  As a Computer Science major, I like order, yet this work was categorized as abstract.  I guess what I like most about this piece is how everything ties together neatly, yet leaves room for interpretation.  I believe this is the reason that this work was selected for MOMA's site.  I see it as a gateway to explore further connections that are not directly implied to be seen.

Three Artists/Styles, Homework Zero Part 2

According to Wikipedia, the definition of installation art describes an artistic genre of three-dimensional works that are often site specific and designed to transform the perception of a space. Generally, the term is applied to interior spaces, whereas exterior interventions are often called land art; however, the boundaries between these terms overlap.  While I know Wikipedia is not a reliable source for information, I needed a place to get started.  I searched Google for installation artists and came across an artist known as Pat Bandani.  Bandani caught my attention because much of their artwork involved sculptures made of bread bowls.  Why this caught my eye the way it did, I am really not sure (perhaps I am just hungry?).  In any case, Bandani sort of opened my eyes to the idea that anything can be made into art with the right mindset and a little creativity.  I look forward to seeing what other artists are out there and what kind of art can be made with just about anything.  Here is the link to one of the bread sculptures I ran into, and other works by Pat Bandani

While searching for experimental artists, I visited the other side of art in finding Zeenah Spirit.  Though I realize the last name could be in reference to the art, her art style is very spiritual.  To be honest, I find this art to be a bit eerie, and probably will not continue to investigate this artist too much more after this blog.  I am not sure how to describe the phenomenon, but there is something about her color choice and design that just makes me tilt my head in a non enjoyable manner.  In any case I have respect for the artist and the art, is it my favorite? No.  But my personal opinion doesn't lower the quality of the artworks in question, art is in the eyes of the viewer right?

Software Art is my favorite of the previously mentioned art styles because it is in my favorite area of study.  The Electric Sheep by Scott Draves is especially interesting to me because it does not seem like a software art piece, but rather a carefully painted image.  It kind of made me wonder what other possibilities there are in the field of software art.  I am excited to work with Processing so that I may see if I like my own creations as much as I enjoy viewing other examples of software art.  I like the freedom that software offers, as well as how it enables programmers to use their technical skills for an artistic purpose.


For some reason you have to highlight my top paragraph to read the information (on my machine at least, I hope this is not an issue for anyone else).

That's all for today folks, see you next time.

Introduction, Homework Zero Part 1

So I am new to the blogging scene so if I sound inexperienced there is your explanation.  The weather outside is finally getting nice out, I am loving the below 40 experience here on campus.  Well to get to the point, I have experience with Java after successful completion of CSC 227 and CSC 335 (Object Oriented Design) and MIPS (CSC 252) as of last semester.  I have always loved creating things throughout my life, whether it was Lego art as a child or GUI's in college.  Computer science is a way to just create things without guidelines, I get to specify every detail (aside from required aspects in project specs).  There is about the extent of my programming experience as of now, however I am currently enrolled in CSC 337, CSC 245, ISTA 301 and ISTA 401, so this semester is bound to improve my skills quite a bit more.