RiP: A Remix Manifesto

Rip: A Remix Manifesto was a very captivating film that was thought provoking and definitely made the viewer think.  There were many points that were brought up throughout the film that I never considered and made me more aware of the consequences of copyright.  I always knew that downloading music was illegal, but I wasn't aware that the punishment was so harsh. The band Girl Talk that was focused upon in the movie, uses mash up and combinations from other songs to recreate their own work. Even though they are using their own creativity, they still cross the lines of infringement and have broken the law. I personally think that the concept of Girl Talk's work is unique and interesting, in which it allows for altering and using their own mind to create something.  Considering the law of fair use, material created from others can be used in moderation, but there are also strict guidelines to the usage. I think that this video was unique and creative in demonstrating the idea of fair use and copyright, in which it made it quite obvious the restrictions and laws.  When you look deeper into the past, many works are merely created from previous works in history.  Even though an artist may think that they are creating something new, there is always a chance that it's extremely similar to another artist's work, in which this could begin a lawsuit.

Appropriation Artists

Cindy Sherman. January 19. 1954. Glen Ridge, New Jersey. New York City. Buffalo State College. Photography. Untitled Film Still #96, Untitled #471, Untitled #223.

Yasumasa Morimura. June 11, 1951. Osaka, Japan. Japan. Kyoto City University of Arts. Photography. Self Portrait after Marilyn Monroe.

Samuel Fosso. 1962. Cameroon. Bangui, Central African Republic. Photography. Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali.

Artists

Arthur Fields. 1960’s. Texas. Brookhaven College, Washington University, Texas Women’s University. Photography, Social Networking Sites.

Banksy. Early 1970’s. Graffiti. Exit Through The Gift Shop.

Brody Condon. 1974, Mexico. Video, Editing Software. Velvet Strike.  Twentyfivefoldmanifestation.

Final Broadcasting Project

For my final project on broadcasting, I decided to use Facebook as my vehicle.  I had to consider just how I wanted to incorporate my message as an artist, as well as how this would coincide with my media broadcasting tool of Facebook.  As an artist, I want my viewers to obtain the message that creativity is limitless.  The idea behind this is that people may stent the limit of their creativity, but can be to ends length as long as the mind uses it correctly.  Along with creativity, I began to think about the concept of self expression and personality because of the vehicle of Facebook.  I've found that people often express themselves through social networking sites differently than they may actually be or say things that aren't necessarily their exact expression.  There's almost a filter that is fronted once someone begins to write a post on their Facebook wall, whether it is the one minute of consideration to actually post something or how to post something to gain attention of their "friends."  Facebook can display false self expressions of people, as well as a personality that can be altered to impress others.

So considering all of this,  I wanted to create a piece that explained my ideas and thoughts about this site.  I used several images of friends/family and created a work that included their image as well as a status from their page.  I carefully chose each image and status in order for it to closely parallel my perspective and thoughts on the specific person.  I'm close with all of the people that I used for the project and understand their personality quite well.  For the first work, it displays images that are simple, posed, smiling and regular, along with a status that is out of the ordinary.  My concept behind this explains that on the exterior the person may seem completely happy, problem free and confident, while the status may explain their true personality.  For example, the first image is of my boyfriend Marshall, where he is smiling, and his status contains an obscure and unique statement.  Considering the fact that I know him so well, this all makes complete sense to me, but for the viewer it may seem confusing.  His self expression on Facebook is quite accurate with his personality, as well as his creativity.  Even though this post was accurate, I'm certain that there have been other posts that he was unsure of or may have questioned whether or not it should be broadcasted to everyone. 

To further my ideas on self expression, creativity and personality within Facebook, I created a second work.  Within this piece, I chose to use the same people, but different images and different statuses.  These pictures are either silly, unexpected or physically demonstrating their personality.  The status incorporated with each image is more typical, whether it is about their day or the weather.  The idea behind this set is that someones true personality may show on the outside, but in the inside it may be completely different.  Creativity is often limited because people may be ashamed or nervous about their thoughts and are worried about what others may think.  This is very true when it comes to Facebook because people may post different pictures and statuses but are secretly thinking about what others may think.  Creativity is similar to Facebook because there is that idea of ambiguity and whether or not you actually know the real person and their limits, thoughts and ideas. I think that this project can clarify my viewpoints on Facebook as a networking site, as well as my personal opinions on the use.

New Project Proposal

After researching and looking more in depth with the broadcasting artist, Arthur Fields; I gained many new insights and ideas to my next project.  To further incorporate the concept of broadcasting and Facebook as the vehicle, I've thought about using peoples actual Facebook profile pictures.  In a specific work with Arthur Fields, he created a piece that uses all 600 of his Facebook friends and displays all of their profile pictures.  I wanted to include my original message of creativity and how it's ultimately limitless.  To incorporate my Facebook idea with creativity, I'm going to use the concept of identity.

From the ideas of Arthur Fields, I'd like to use profile pictures of my friends and use that with my broadcasting piece.  My final thoughts on this project would be to make two different panoramic size canvases and include several profile pictures.  With the first panel of identity, i'd blur the profile image to where it's difficult, if not nearly impossible to distinguish who the person is in the picture.  With the second panel of creativity, i'd also use profile pictures but use several different effects and filters to make the images hard to distinguish.  The main concept behind my project would be that there is often a gray area between people's self identity, which can ultimately affect ones ability to be creative. Along with using peoples profile pictures, to further the idea as Facebook being my vehicle, I'm going to use status updates as well.  I think that it would be interesting to choose a status that focuses on a specific person's creativity and advance with that idea.  I could still include the profile picture, but also overlay the status and connect that with my message of creativity and identity. In order to present this material, I would create several of these image and status combinations to create a collection of works that would be displayed on Facebook. When each different image and status is posted, I could also include a "quote of the day" that would discuss my overall concept of creativity.

Arthur Fields

Arthur Fields uses the medium of photography to create his art.  The use of cell phones is how his work is created and is the bulk of his portfolio.

Fields posts daily cell phone pics in his blog/tumblr, whether it is a shadow of a sign or a deer head on the wall.  He seems to capture the simple things in life, but are aesthetically pleasing. Along with the cell phone picture, he includes different quotes about photography from well known people.

One of his most recent exhibitions Techincally Connected focuses on social network users and reveals their identities and behaviors. Digital photography and appropriated images are used to demonstrate personal relationships with friends and family through people who are cell phone users.

"I am a Texan.

I was born in the 60's. 
I grew up in the 70's. 
I really enjoyed the 80's. 
I use my cell phone as a sketchbook
These are daily observations by me.
They are fun and free. 
Images are all mine unless otherwise noted.
Remember Photo Art makes you happy!"


Arthur Fields
http://arthurfields.tumblr.com/


http://arthurfields.tumblr.com/archive
http://arthurfieldsphoto.com/home.html
http://www.arthurfields.com/ArthurFields/h_o_m_e.html
http://www.arthurfields.com/ArthurFields/g_a_l_l_e_r_i_e_s/Pages/t_e_c_h_n_i_c_a_l_l_y_c_o_n_n_e_c_t_e_d.html

Project Proposal

Title: Flowing Creativity

For my next project, I had the idea to use the concept of creativity as my basis.  I think that creativity is often a term that people don't completely understand, especially when it comes to art.  There are so many different aspects of creativity that will overall produce a final piece of work.  When thinking about this term as a whole, there are several key elements to take into consideration.  Everyone's mind set and ideas will differ, but it's the specifics that will separate one from another.  Color use, shape, medium, overall concept, steps for completion, planning and execution are just a few that creativity will enthrall upon.

My idea for the project is to create a collection of four different posters that will demonstrate creativity visually.  I'm debating about using a similar format within each of the posters, but also demonstrate how the creative mind can overtake parameters.  Ultimately I want to express that there are no limitations when creating art.  I'm going to use a computer program; most likely photoshop, along with used photographs, color and text. I will broadcast this on Facebook to see what my friends and peers think. I think that it will be interesting to see the responses from others and to gain an understanding of how their creativity and mindset may differ from mine. The works that I create will have the words creativity throughout the piece, which will help viewers gain an understanding.  I'm also thinking about leaving a caption on the piece that I post, asking which one the viewers like the most.  This will not only allow me to see what others creativity is like, but also touch more upon the broadcasting aspect of the project.