Finial Project

For my final project, I wanted to show how a single image can be manipulated.  The shot although cut up is one continuous shot with different effects added to it. The effects represent the manipulation, whether through color change or more intense effect control. The meaning behind the manipulation is to shed light on how heavily manipulated the world of media is. It is so easy to cut a film here, or there, changing the meaning completely. I feel that this is done a lot. Nothing is what it seems, and people might think I say this with a political stance. Where in fact I believe both sides of the idea do this to strengthen their message or tarnish the other. I wanted my piece to show that in no time at all the image is changed from the original. I know my acting is pretty poor in this piece, but I think serves its purpose. As far as the sound in the film. I took a news broadcast from the 1950s and played it backward. I did this to show how words can be easily twisted. In my case at the push of a button. I then slowed it down 25% to represent, well a creepy effect. The music is some creepy music that I've chosen to make loader or quiet throughout the film. The message at the end of the film is to show what some believe media is doing to us referring to us as "sheep". I hope everyone enjoys my project.


https://youtu.be/7FvKelDCQ7c

Grid art

I found this project to be difficult, never had I broken a picture down to 900 squares. I made me really look at details I may have missed otherwise. The piece is of me and my dog Echo on top of Tumbledown Mountain in Weld Maine. We had climbed it earlier in the year. We didn't actually watch the sunset up there but we did take in the views. I wanted to do this piece because I love my dog so very much. I did try to get a lot of colors into the piece, but it was hard to do with colored pencil.

performance art

In my piece, I wanted to see what people loved. I wasn't very surprised by the answers I got a few people to respond in my time standing, but most people walked by me. I believe everyone should love something because it is the best feeling to have. I was at first very nervous to do this project because I am very anxious when thrown into these types of interactions. After a short time, this feeling dissipated as I realized there was no reason to be anxious. Share love people it is our greatest gift.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6-9c0wj15w


I was inspired by artists like Yoko Ono who would do pieces where she would have people cut away her clothing. Rather than having people cut away I chose to have people build. Not with materials but rather the feeling of love. Love is all around and I think more people need to learn to build with it.


I was also was inspired by Marina Abramović who would do performances where she would stare at people without speaking. I feel like you can get to know people on a different level if you stare into there souls. Some would say the eyes are the doors to our souls, so what better way to know someone.


I can't say what the future of performance art will be but I think it will only become crazier as artist push the limits of what can be done. Also, the themes will change as we change as a society because I feel this is what pushes such arts is how we act as humans.

Music

Disco- Blondie: I always loved Blondie. I thought her voice was unique and beautiful. My parents always loved here too (probably where I get it from). It is amazing that she is still performing today. She used a lot of electronic instruments in her music

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGU_4-5RaxU

Nineties- Radiohead: I first started listening to Radiohead because of my brother. I have always thought of them as very talented musically. Again they are a band that has lasted through time. They still have a huge following because of their sound. They used a lot of effects through their instruments, although not so much in the song I chose.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZiNtbgm9oM

Punk- The Ramones: The Ramones have the sound I think of when I think punk. I believe they are one of the most influential bands to come from the Punk movement. Their use of distortion in the guitars and echo of vocals is an unmistakable sound.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iymtpePP8I8

Dubstep- Awolnation: I feel like Awolnation is the only mainstream Dubstep band. Meaning I first heard them on the radio, where they are the only ones. I think the mix of electronic and lyricism set them apart from other groups.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4MzF53je5M

House Influencers- B-52's: This bad has probably the most unique sound out of any band in my opinion. I can remember dancing to "Love Shack" many of times and "Rock Lobster" was one of the first songs I learned on the guitar. They mix 50's beach rock with electronic. That mixed with a lead singers with a "weird" vocal style makes them unmistakable.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hl_EEpRfrkk


Punk- The Misfits: The Misfits are a group that are trendsetters in my opinion. They made a stamp on the culture of punk.  They have many different sounds depending on who was in the band at the time. They have had different singers such as Dan Zig and Jerry Only. Today people still wear Misfits shirts even if they have no idea who they are. Their music is heavily distorted like any good punk band.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9y2MyMqVD0E

Bog 4 Broadway!

My favorite Broadway show is Chicago. I first saw the film rendition of it, then later a live performance of it at a community theater. The thing I really like about it is the story, a good murder, and court case. I also like the setting of the show 1920's Chicago, with its bright lights and underlying crime. The musical pieces in the show are also great I remember having them stuck in my head for days after I saw it live. The other thing that made it really memorable was that George H Bush (The first Bush) was in the audience with us. It was really cool to not only to see a great show but see a former us president in the audience.

Even for a community show, the pageantry was amazing! The show had all the lights and feel of the real thing. It was also made special because I had a family member in the show. My cousin's uncle (relation by marriage) Played Amos Hart in the show. It was very interesting to see Dave in a play after knowing him my whole life. I still would really love to go see a show on Broadway and it is on my bucket list.

   This piece is called a "Helping hands ". This piece relies mostly on pattern and rhythm. This is supposed to represent unity, and this topic is represented by the joining of the hands. My inspiration behind this was the works of Dali and his dreamlike works. This piece is supposed to fall into that surreal realm of art. Being as it isn't something you would see in real life. I chose to do this piece in black and white to further the unifying qualities.
I feel as if I was to use color it may lose its message of unification, as I wanted it to be universal. Originally this piece was going to be 3-D, But I had trouble constructing it so I chose a 2-D approach. This piece is supposed to make the viewer feel a complete sense of oneness. 

Flip book

For my flip book I tried a few different ideas. I tried to keep it fun and engaging with different topics. The first is to show the growth of a flower. Done in a different un natural way. The second is a smily face turning into the planet earth. This had no meaning, the progression just fit.  Then there is a man who removes his head, like the tip of a hat. Followed by typography saying "what the hell?" as to ask what had proceeded it. Then to finish is typography that morphs into a crude human face. Again, I was just trying to have fun with the project.

https://youtu.be/GwGWpXqsO_g

I had to do this link because the file was too big.

Graphene is the feature!!!

David MacDonald

B. Roundtree

Art and Tech

21st Century Technology 

Graphene

We live in a world where electronic technologies become more advanced as each year passes. This demand for innovation comes with its downfalls. A common trend in electronic technologies is downsizing. Processing power relies on being able to build on a microscopic level. One newly rediscovered material called Graphene shows the most promise moving forward. But, if you had never heard of Graphene it would be hard to imagine its potential. Graphene is a derivative of Graphite, which is entirely made up of Carbon atoms. If you ask, “Hey Isn’t Graphite what pencil lead is made of?” you would be correct. Graphene is the end result of breaking down Graphite until it is literally one atom thick. Yes, one atom thick, this allows for a circuit to move across it with almost no resistance. This means electronic information can move almost at the speed of light. All this again at the size level of an atom.

Graphene was first observed in 1962 under an electron microscope. At the time researchers didn’t realize the true potential of Graphene. Because of this Graphene wasn’t ever utilized until 2004. That is when two researchers from The University of Manchester rediscovered Graphene. Now in a greater age of electronic technology, the two researchers Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoslov were able to use Graphene to a new extent. They discovered Graphene's ability to move electrons at almost the speed of light. This discovery won the two The Nobel Prize for Physics in 2010.

  As of now Graphene technologies are limited. Part of the problem is it has not yet been possible to produce Graphene on a large enough scale to be viable. “Graphene-based membranes have mostly been made in small batches in the laboratory, where researchers can carefully control the material’s growth conditions. However, Hart and his colleagues believe that if graphene membranes are ever to be used commercially they will have to be produced in large quantities, at high rates, and with reliable performance.” (Chu 2018) Researchers at MIT have been working with a new process of creating Graphene on a larger scale. “MIT engineers have developed a continuous manufacturing process that produces long strips of high-quality graphene.” (Chu 2018) Once Graphene can be made in a more commercially viable way, technologies using Graphene will be on the market.

Not only will Graphene allow computer processors to be faster, but also smaller. Until now, computer processors are mostly made of another element called Silicon. The same element that makes up most sand. Silicon has basically hit the ceiling on how small processors are able to be produced. This need for new materials for producing computer processors will lead to the rise of Graphene. Because the want for faster processing power will not go away, Graphene offers new opportunities. Graphene is the feature for smaller technologies. Smaller technologies that are the fastest we have ever seen. We as the consumer will only see our technologies become almost limitless.

Work Cited 

Chu, Jennifer, A Graphene Rollout, news.MIT.edu, 17 April, 2018

Carmen as seen by David

Madama Buterfliy

Wow, what beautiful piece of film. The choice to go with stop-motion was fantastic. This choice brought the story alive in a very unique way. I can see that this took a long time to create but it really paid off. The imagery was beautiful and very appropriate for the story.

The story of this film is very sad. It starts off as such a beautiful love story with a bit of comedy. but as the story continues it tells about the mothers love as her child grows. The end is sad and very unwelcome by the viewer. Personally, it left me feeling really sad when I left class. The way in which the story was told is very original and paired nicely with the music.

My take away from this film is one of appreciation for the art. Its symbolism was powerful and never lacking. It could have easily have lost the message if not done right. Ultimately this was done right and all the components came together to make a sweet and sad tale of love and loss.

Dr. Raul Cuero and Nature

While watching the interview with Dr. Raul Cuero I couldn't help but see parallels in our views. Especially in regards to my generations use of technology, and reduction of wonder for the natural world. I was born and raised in Maine, which is covered by 90% forest. It is, in fact, the most heavily forested state in the country. Because of which I had opportunities to explore some of the most pristine areas of the wilderness of my home. From which, I gained an appreciation for the delicate balance between the forces of nature, and where I belong to it. I believe this is connected to who I am, and how I use my creativity.

I never found myself playing video games really, the times I was watching TV it was documentaries (and The Simpsons). A lot of my generation can't see life past technology. Now I know this isn't true in every situation. I can often find myself hanging out with friends as they look at their phones. Nothing is gained we don't make things, we don't think. It's probably counterproductive.

I think the most important thing I gained from his words was an appreciation for my love for the natural world. Learning is something that should never stop. We are curious and creative by nature, and it is an unnatural affectation with technologies that damn it. I think Dr. Cuero is a brilliant man who has been on an amazing journey and I was happy to learn from him.

"Take Flight"

This piece is called "Take Flight". The idea behind it is the concept of unity throughout the natural world. The feathers of the bird are made of a variety of leaves, which symbolizes one part of the natural world. The bird represents freedom of design in the natural world. The idea behind this is that even though life takes many forms in the world. We are all still connected in the larger sense of the world, or at least how I view it. The piece ultimately should reflect that connection.

First Day

 Here it was the first day of Art 211, and I was excited for sure. I hadn't been in an art class in over a year. I walked into the class of unfamiliar faces, all of which seemed to be as excited as me to be there. Everyone else talked to each other waiting for the Professor to arrive, and I sat in the back silent. I was not expecting our professor to walk in with a smile on her face, and head of brightly colored hair. But sure enough, that was our professor. I was very excited to see this, finally, a professor who seemed to be fun. My other profs had been pretty dry so far.

The class seemed even better as Professor Roundtree explained that we would be spanning different arts over the semester. Some of which I had interest in, some I had never really explored. Non the less I looked forward to this semester, and all this class had to offer.

I am David Macdonald a junior here at UT and only in my second semester here. I am a very creative person overall. My focus is screenwriting and producing films and different media platforms. I moved to Tampa from a small town in Maine called Naples with a population of around 3,500 people. It is a nice town for sure, but social economic problems forced me from the state I love. There are fewer and fewer jobs there and almost none in my field of study. I love the opportunities that UT has provided to me. I'm looking to learn more about everything I can. After High School I mad shoes, which sucked. So I started to just try to learn as much as possible finding information and knowledge to be the real key to success. So, in a nutshell, I'm an older guy finding his way in this world, looking to make some movies.