Seminar II: New Media

I chose to do further research on Harrel Fletcher . Where: Born 1967. From Portland, Oregon. He was originally collaborating with an artist by the name of Jon Rubin within Oakland, California. Later on, he made artwork all over America (and beyond). He normally has people in the area that he is in work with him to create the work. He, essentially, helps build communities. He does public work, with other people. He also does virtual work (learning to love you more), as well as installations and performances for various areas and museums. When: He's still a practicing artist, as are most (if not all) New Media artists. His work applies to the here and now due to it's interactive nature, it's social commentary, and candid-ness. His most recent project was Corentine's Turtle , wherein, a young boy's sculpture idea was brought to life by Fletcher. This was done in 2006. How: Fletcher employs many different techniques to create his work. It ranges from drawing and sculptu...

Harrell Fletcher - I enjoyed the idea list that he had on the side of his website. Some of the ideas were very interesting, and it's good to have a whole pool of creativity like that. Corentine's Turtle was particularly touching, as he worked with a child and brought this kid's sculpture idea to life. Quite poignant and touching. I enjoy that he makes work relating the outside world--and his understanding of it. 'More Everyday Sunshine' was also interesting--it brought the art to the everyday passerby with motion sensor technology, illuminating certain objects or areas at night. It was interactivity...sortof like Art 2.0 (New Media) without all the pomp that one normally experiences. Don Ritter -I really thought that the aesthetic quality of Ritter's work was very fascinating. Not so much the south oriented projects, but the large visual pieces, the vast projections, those were quite stunning. The 'FIT' projects is amazing, in terms of technical quality,...

I enjoyed the way that this was written to an extent, but this sort of writing style is too easy to swallow and digest. I'm used to reading things that require deciphering. I also enjoy that style of writing much more, personally. The titles bothered me a little--references to Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas as well as Hannibal Rising--they unsettle me. So many references to pop culture, while this book is attempting to demonstrate the importance of the right side of the brain. Something doesn't add up. I never saw the right side of the brain as being the less of the two. I already knew that they had to work in conjunction. Perhaps I enjoy studying things of this ilk far too much, hence, why I was unimpressed with the first chapter. I believe that it will develop into an enjoyable and engrossing read as chapters are passed and time goes on. It relates to New Media because it speaks of the future in terms of artistic and cultural strides. I feel that this book will layer upon its...