Guerrilla Warfare

I don't know if it is that I am not sympathetic enough or just that too many people are over-sensitive, but whenever stuff like this comes up, the discussion always goes to shit. I have and always will value women's contributions to the world, including art, as equally as I do men's. I'm disappointed that the world needs to have groups like this to bring up "issues" like this. I don't believe that a bunch of girls in guerrilla masks attending art shows are going to convince women to become artists. You need to appeal to the masses, and these guerrillas are appealing to the crazy. I would love for them to be successful; all artwork is inspiring and innovative, regardless of who it came from. Unfortunately, when it comes down to it, these girls are doubtfully making an impact on people who would be willing to pursue futures in fine arts. You have to play the game. It's as simple as that. Maybe men just happened to play the game better in the past, but it sure is looking like women are catching on. My message to anyone who wants to pursue art: work hard, put in the time, and be yourself. As Neal DeGrasse Tyson said: "if everyone had the luxury of expressing the unique combination of talents in this world, our society would be transformed overnight." Be yourself, and you will succeed. I don't know your definition of success, that is up to you, but whatever that may be, I urge you to get there.

       

NY Times Does Art and Tech

Check out this NY Times Article on art and technology, it's pretty interesting stuff. 

Xerox Yourself

My inspiration behind this project was my drum. The cajon, pictured below, is my substitute drum during college because for obvious reasons, I can't have my drum set in my dorm. I used photocopies of my hands and feet where I actually use them on the drum. Because the drum has snares and a hole in the back, different areas on the drum head make various noises. The photocopied hands were supposed to exaggerate the areas I hit on the cajon. I attempted to photocopy my ass, both covered and bare, but they didn't turn out. If I were ballsy enough, I would've xeroxed my nuts, but I felt like that was a project for another time.  

Sheryl Oring

Responsible for the I Wish to Say performance, Sheryl Oring "thinks that communication is an art form." Her skit, for lack of a better term, involves typing out letters to the President on a 1950s typewriter, appropriately paired with an old 48-star American flag and 1950s suit. Sheryl's website iwishtosay.org has a pretty sweet homepage, and there is actually information on her (unlike Tom). Her old-school style is something to be admired; Sheryl enjoys taking time to write postcards and letters. The craftsmanship involved in writing your own card to someone adds a whole other meaning to what is written. Short sidetrack: I just found out that my dad used to keep up with his old roommate from college via handwritten letter. He is still in contact with his friend today (via email), however, if it wasn't for letters, there's a chance he may have lost communication. I hold onto all of my family's handwritten letters, birthday cards, and other personalized mail. I still don't know what I want to do with them, but just the nostalgia they bring is enough reason to keep them. Who knows, maybe one day I'll make an art project out of them, something they'll never forget in return. 

Tom Geoghegan

Not to be confused with labor lawyer and author, Tom Geoghegan, the real Tom Geoghegan is a live performance artists. Featured in Beware of Live Art, Tom has partaken in multiple noteworthy performances such as Rubbish and Strange Fruit. From getting kicked in the hand to peeing in his own boot, Tom puts himself through a lot for the sake of his art. The negligence of the passing audience is upsetting, however, not surprising. There have been TV shows based on how few people react to things like bike theft or robbery, nonetheless an arm in a trash bag. I'm impressed by Tom's ability to sustain stillness throughout both the performances in Beware of Live Art. Congrats man, you did what I never wanted to do, and you did it damn well. There really weren't any photos available. 

Graffiti Flipbook

64 Bit Pics

This is a cool website I showed the class earlier, 64 Yourself. It's just something fun to mess around with; makes the pictures into pointillism by decontextualizing it. Give it a shot, I uploaded an example of downtown Tampa.