Sunday, April 25, 2010
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Friday, April 2, 2010
Final Project Proposal, Ghosts of the Vanquished
Statistically, 'New Brunswick' is a very diverse place. However, in reality the geography of this city is divisible into three physical districts: Rutgers University, the Downtown area, and Little Mexico. Furthermore, we can group these physical districts into two zones, whose boarders are defined by socio-economic status. In one zone we have those from middle/upper-middleclass backgrounds; these are the students and business men. In the other zone we have lower classes people; these are the Vanquished (i.e. minorities and immigrants). The individuals from ‘zone one’ are living in a gentrified areas and are afforded many opportunities and resources for self-advancement because of their status as citizens, students, and middle-class individuals; the vanquished have none of this. Having lived as a student in New Brunswick for four years now, I feel as though I can safely say that individuals from these zones rarely mix which I see a problem when one considers that, by definition, we still live in the same city. Making this worse is the fact that the individuals from Zone 1 avoid or distance themselves the individuals from Zone 2 as much as they can. Whether this is conscious or unconscious matter not. What’s important is that the vanquished, on top of their limited resources (i.e. income, education, legal citizenship, etc.), are being further distanced from the society that they have every right to be a part of. Since the students are the ones with the power to create this distance, I wanted to design a project that would undo the distance that they have put between themselves and the vanquished using sound. I would like to take the ambient sound from a location of the vanquished and subtly impose it in on a related location of the students (e.g. playing the sounds of a restaurant in Little Mexico at Au Bon Pain or the student center), corroding the unconscious avoidance that students exhibit for the vanquished. The sound played would be streamed live by setting up microphones at the vanquished site and speakers at the non-vanquished location. My project is based on two ideas: (1) people are unconsciously tuned into ambient noise and (2) exposure to something unfamiliar to you helps close the distance you put between yourself and it. Such a project does something which I have never come across in locative-media, subliminally raise awareness of a location and people from that location.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Following
I had originally planned on following someone physically or online, but I felt it would be a copout for me since I’ve already followed someone in the past. I can remember the experience fairly well and will recount it now before I start to talk about my actual project.
View Following Map in a larger map
Since I had already followed someone physically I decided to switch things up and follow someone intellectually. Since I consider myself a pretty open minded person and I wanted a challenge, it only felt right to follow someone who I consider to be very close minded. That someone was Rush Limbaugh. It helped that the asshole is one of the most overblown windbags on the face of the planet and had his own website devoted to spewing hate, I mean, his point of view. I had originally intended watch a number of older clips on his site, trying to get into his mindset and how he might respond towards some issues and topics going on in current events. Then I would right my ‘new’ opinion on those topics.
I was a very shy kid in high school. I didn’t mind talking with people, but I was terrified to initiate any type of conversation. Others could strike up a conversation with me, but I wouldn’t dare approach them. One day, this posed to be a problem when I overheard some kids talking in my gym class about some really engaging/interesting stuff. I wanted to join in on the conversation and make friends but couldn’t think of a good way to approach them. True to form, I said nothing and the period ended. I was really frustrated that I missed out on the chance to talk with them; that was until school let out. As I walked out the main doors of my school to go home, I spotted one of the kids from gym talking with a friend on his cell; he was making plans to meet up at a park nearby. I was still frustrated with myself for not speaking up during earlier so I decided I wouldn’t let the information I had just acquired go to waste. Since I knew the park he was going to, I decided I run ahead of him and intercept him before he got to the park. There was only one problem, there were a number of routes you could use to get to the park so I had to follow him for a while before I knew which path to take to intercept him. The park was about ten minutes away and I followed him for about five minutes before I got a sense of which route he was taking. However, following him for those five minutes proved to be nerve racking and exciting because the path he took was along a quieter more isolated route which meant I couldn’t blend in to the environment as easily. In order for my plan to succeed he couldn’t notice me at all, since it would be strange for someone who was walking behind you a few minutes ago to suddenly bump into you coming from the opposite direction just a few minutes later. I originally stayed pretty far behind him on the opposite side of the street, but I closed the gap in fear of losing him. I remember thinking about abandoning my venture several times, after all it isn’t normal to follow and then intercept someone you don’t know at all just for the chance to talk with them. Actually, I remember thinking that I was fucking nuts. But I also knew that the person I was following probably wouldn’t catch on which meant it was alright, since we all know you’re not really crazy until your caught being crazy (or you write about it on a blog seven years later for an entire class to read). Anyway, I eventually got a sense of the route he was going to take and planned my interception route. I sprinted down a street running parallel to the one he was on in order to get ahead of him. He took the route I expected we ended up waiting at the same street crossing. I felt like I was in a time warp while we waited. After a few second, I began to think that everything had been for naught, that my plan was destined for failure. By the grace of god and good fortune, he happened to be a very social person with none of the timidity I had. He asked me, “aren’t you the kid in my gym class?”. Bingo. =)
View Following Map in a larger map
Since I had already followed someone physically I decided to switch things up and follow someone intellectually. Since I consider myself a pretty open minded person and I wanted a challenge, it only felt right to follow someone who I consider to be very close minded. That someone was Rush Limbaugh. It helped that the asshole is one of the most overblown windbags on the face of the planet and had his own website devoted to spewing hate, I mean, his point of view. I had originally intended watch a number of older clips on his site, trying to get into his mindset and how he might respond towards some issues and topics going on in current events. Then I would right my ‘new’ opinion on those topics.
Sadly, my project never really got off the ground. As it turns out there are a very limited number of topic actually discussed in main stream media and Rush doesn’t change his opinion at all overtime. His arguments are all ignorant rants and void of substance. They are what my philosophy of language teacher would call ‘boo’ arguments. That is, what Rush does is basically bring up a topic like immigration, gay rights, or feminism and then say ‘booooooooooo’ for half an hour. I truly tried to stay open to his perspective. However, three minutes into my first video he uttered these two things:
- I support woman, that’s why I judged a beauty pageant. What doesn’t support women is feminism, it only hurts them.
- Tides are turning on the democrats, I mean Scott Brown just got elected senator for Massachusetts.
I watched another fifteen minutes of his videos, but as I said earlier. Everything he said was based in hate. So what would have resulted is a commentary of hate, ignorance, racism, and homophobia, etc. This is something I could not do. I try to be a PC person when I talk, to be polite, to be soft spoken. I do this mostly because I’m self-conscious and don’t like attracting negative attention. I thought myself incapable of ranting my pure emotions in an uncensored way, especially on things such as politics. However, looking back on a little of what I’ve written here I did speak my mind in an uncensored way, so I guess I was able to follow you Douche Limbaugh. Thank you.
.~*)--=|=--(*~.
"the other's tracks are used in such a way as to distance you from yourself."
-Jean Baudrillard
Vademecum—Vadetecum
Lured by my style and tendency,
you follow and come after me?
Follow your own self faithfully—
take time—and thus you follow me.
(Vademecum: a manual or guidebook; literally, "go with me." Vadetecum: go with yourself.)
-Federick Nietzsche, The Gay Science
*~.)--=|=--(.~*
Friday, March 26, 2010
Monday, March 8, 2010
Notice
The Creative Process
I went through many ideas, the remains of which can be seen above.
The Notice
Notice - Sign
I went through many ideas, the remains of which can be seen above.
The Notice
Notice - Sign
Questions on Readings II
Wodiczko,K. - Critical Vehicles Questions
1) In america, we are in a situation where the vanquished are perceived as beginning to outnumber the victors. Do you agree with this sentiment? Justify your response.
2) Wodiczko states "[interrogative] design must not hesitate to respond to the needs that [should exists]". However, most often these needs are invisible. How does one design a project which addresses invisible needs?
3) Wodiczko talks about the superficial sameness which must be shaved away and a deeper, more fundamental sameness which defines us all as human. What do you think comprises this "deeper, more fundamental sameness"?
4) The avant garde is a constantly shifting notion, dependent on the times of the people who define the tradition; a tradition associated with taking the unconscious routines of people and breaking them in ways which inspire reflection. What traditions or perceptions in our life are so fimly established that breaking through art them would cause people to reflect on them, thus creating avant garde art? (essentially I am asking, what is avant garde art today?)
1) In america, we are in a situation where the vanquished are perceived as beginning to outnumber the victors. Do you agree with this sentiment? Justify your response.
2) Wodiczko states "[interrogative] design must not hesitate to respond to the needs that [should exists]". However, most often these needs are invisible. How does one design a project which addresses invisible needs?
3) Wodiczko talks about the superficial sameness which must be shaved away and a deeper, more fundamental sameness which defines us all as human. What do you think comprises this "deeper, more fundamental sameness"?
4) The avant garde is a constantly shifting notion, dependent on the times of the people who define the tradition; a tradition associated with taking the unconscious routines of people and breaking them in ways which inspire reflection. What traditions or perceptions in our life are so fimly established that breaking through art them would cause people to reflect on them, thus creating avant garde art? (essentially I am asking, what is avant garde art today?)
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Interuption on the Move
The Experience
For my interruption, I set up a 'Language Assistance' booth on the 7:15pm Empire State Train which which went from New York to Albany. I taped the following sign up to the luggage rack above my seat
I also created a humorous yet informative pamphlet (seen below) for any visitors.
Interstice - Language Assistance
I also took pictures and video of my booth:
Sadly, the only person to ask what I was doing was the person checking tickets. I did notice one or two people staring at the sign and the pamphlets from a distance, but no one approached me.
Conceptualization
For my project I decided to challenge the idea of immediate interpersonal interaction from the relational aesthetics reading. I wanted my project to create long-term interpersonal interactions. What I imagined was an interstice that would shine a light on an abstract ability which is innate to every participant and vital in the creation of any dialogue yet very misunderstood; that ability is language. By getting participants to reflect on language for just one moment I hoped to inspire future instances of reflection, which would cause them to seek out those answers and create dialogues with other language users, igniting a larger conversation about language.
The setting for my project was something which I consider an exemplary interstice. Taking place on a train, the site of my project was located in a multi-layered physical interstice (i.e. It was set up in a row of seats, which is in between other rows of seats. In turn these rows are located within a train car, which is located in between other train cars. Finally, the train cars (a.k.a. the train) are constantly moving between two locations).
The train is an interesting location to examine the idea of public space. While the train itself is a public method of transportation, each passenger is entitled to privatize some portion of it (a contract which is instantiated at the moment they bought the ticket). However, one's privatized space is more open to intrusion by the public than in other situations. Of course there is a social etiquette which has developed to protect our private space in these circumstance (i.e. if your watching a movie use headphones, ask the person behind you if it is ok to recline your seat, etc) and it was these social constructs which I deliberately broke in order to interrupt the 'everyday life of the passenger'. By setting up my project in a privatized yet very public area it was easy to encroached on the space of others visually, which is why I put up my sign for 'Language Assistance' on the coat rack above my seats. I also placed the pamphlets on the fold-down table closest to the aisle. I would have used audio to attract (or annoy) more people, but I feared getting kicked off the train so I did not follow through with this.
For my interruption, I set up a 'Language Assistance' booth on the 7:15pm Empire State Train which which went from New York to Albany. I taped the following sign up to the luggage rack above my seat
I also created a humorous yet informative pamphlet (seen below) for any visitors.
Interstice - Language Assistance
I also took pictures and video of my booth:
Sadly, the only person to ask what I was doing was the person checking tickets. I did notice one or two people staring at the sign and the pamphlets from a distance, but no one approached me.
Conceptualization
For my project I decided to challenge the idea of immediate interpersonal interaction from the relational aesthetics reading. I wanted my project to create long-term interpersonal interactions. What I imagined was an interstice that would shine a light on an abstract ability which is innate to every participant and vital in the creation of any dialogue yet very misunderstood; that ability is language. By getting participants to reflect on language for just one moment I hoped to inspire future instances of reflection, which would cause them to seek out those answers and create dialogues with other language users, igniting a larger conversation about language.
The setting for my project was something which I consider an exemplary interstice. Taking place on a train, the site of my project was located in a multi-layered physical interstice (i.e. It was set up in a row of seats, which is in between other rows of seats. In turn these rows are located within a train car, which is located in between other train cars. Finally, the train cars (a.k.a. the train) are constantly moving between two locations).
The train is an interesting location to examine the idea of public space. While the train itself is a public method of transportation, each passenger is entitled to privatize some portion of it (a contract which is instantiated at the moment they bought the ticket). However, one's privatized space is more open to intrusion by the public than in other situations. Of course there is a social etiquette which has developed to protect our private space in these circumstance (i.e. if your watching a movie use headphones, ask the person behind you if it is ok to recline your seat, etc) and it was these social constructs which I deliberately broke in order to interrupt the 'everyday life of the passenger'. By setting up my project in a privatized yet very public area it was easy to encroached on the space of others visually, which is why I put up my sign for 'Language Assistance' on the coat rack above my seats. I also placed the pamphlets on the fold-down table closest to the aisle. I would have used audio to attract (or annoy) more people, but I feared getting kicked off the train so I did not follow through with this.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Questions on Readings
Lefebvre, H. - Clearing the Ground
1) What do you think was the purpose of the first four sections (i.e. the two objections and replies)? Do you think this was an effective method of engaging the reader’s own views on the everyday?
2) How does Lefebvre's reconceptualization of the everyday as a level differ from the standard view that it is some sort of custom/praxis/ritual?
3) Do Lefebvre’s examples of people operating at the everyday level, undermine his reconceptualization? That is, has he truly revolutionized our way of thinking about the everyday or has he merely put a slightly different spin on how we view it?
Bourriaud, N. - Relational Aesthetics
1) Bourriaud brought up the idea of immediate experience and interpersonal engagement, describing art as a state of encounter. Do you think it is possible to create passive/subliminal art? What might that be like?
2) Bourriaud states that modernization has replaced people with impersonal machines in certain situations, which destroys opportunities for exchange. However, modernization has also brought us machines, such as computers, that can create personal connections in ways that were impossible before. Do you think these new forms of modernization are adequate replacements for the types of interactions they have destroyed?
3) Do you think Hana has been successful in bringing our class "to life as thought it were artwork"?
1) What do you think was the purpose of the first four sections (i.e. the two objections and replies)? Do you think this was an effective method of engaging the reader’s own views on the everyday?
2) How does Lefebvre's reconceptualization of the everyday as a level differ from the standard view that it is some sort of custom/praxis/ritual?
3) Do Lefebvre’s examples of people operating at the everyday level, undermine his reconceptualization? That is, has he truly revolutionized our way of thinking about the everyday or has he merely put a slightly different spin on how we view it?
Bourriaud, N. - Relational Aesthetics
1) Bourriaud brought up the idea of immediate experience and interpersonal engagement, describing art as a state of encounter. Do you think it is possible to create passive/subliminal art? What might that be like?
2) Bourriaud states that modernization has replaced people with impersonal machines in certain situations, which destroys opportunities for exchange. However, modernization has also brought us machines, such as computers, that can create personal connections in ways that were impossible before. Do you think these new forms of modernization are adequate replacements for the types of interactions they have destroyed?
3) Do you think Hana has been successful in bringing our class "to life as thought it were artwork"?
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Friday, February 12, 2010
Monday, February 8, 2010
Sick!
I came down with something Saturday night/Sunday morning and am still not over it. Sorry I couldn't make it today. Have a good class everyone!
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Wayfinding Topics
- Navigation Techniques and Disorientation in Cyberspace
- Significance of object/entities in your virtual life
- Design/Mapping of cyberspace? Possible or not?
Man's Life Saved By Webcam
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8496586.stm
This article highlights many of the concepts we discussed today: life/death, wayfinding ,the extent of an inventors intent. Because a webcam was placed on the beach for people to enjoy sunsets, a person hundreds of miles away was able to save a man's life. This to me illustrates an unusual type of occurrence in wayfinding. Normally people actively use tools to help them navigate the world. But here a tool, through its mere existence, resulted in the traveler being successfully navigated back home. Not only this, but the webcam was not even designed to monitor the area for lost travelers. This forces us to question the idea of an item's function. Even though an inventor has a set goal in mind, the function of an item is, as it would seem, only limited by it's user. This has interesting philosophical repercussions for art. When we create public art we are trying to engage the public with the surrounding space in some way and we design our project in a manner which we believe will best achieve this effect. Yet I question what kind of experience are we truly bringing to the viewer? How does the artist know if he has successfully reached the public?
This article highlights many of the concepts we discussed today: life/death, wayfinding ,the extent of an inventors intent. Because a webcam was placed on the beach for people to enjoy sunsets, a person hundreds of miles away was able to save a man's life. This to me illustrates an unusual type of occurrence in wayfinding. Normally people actively use tools to help them navigate the world. But here a tool, through its mere existence, resulted in the traveler being successfully navigated back home. Not only this, but the webcam was not even designed to monitor the area for lost travelers. This forces us to question the idea of an item's function. Even though an inventor has a set goal in mind, the function of an item is, as it would seem, only limited by it's user. This has interesting philosophical repercussions for art. When we create public art we are trying to engage the public with the surrounding space in some way and we design our project in a manner which we believe will best achieve this effect. Yet I question what kind of experience are we truly bringing to the viewer? How does the artist know if he has successfully reached the public?
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Tawn's Trail
Tawn provided me with a list of clues to follow online. Her digital trail took me through Barack Obama's wiki page, the white house site, flickr, yahoo, Hana's personal site, and finally the Neighborhood Narratives site. The part I enjoyed most about the experience was the unexpectedness of it all. When you follow directions to a place you've never been too in real life, there is always a great sense of satisfaction in having navigated to your destination successfully. I didn't expect to have that feeling when I finished following the clues, but I did. Another thing that caught me off guard was how linked together everything was. Since I'm not a big blogger or tweeter I've never paid attention to "share this" links on websites before; now I'm beginning to see that they are everywhere. To tie this back to the idea of public space we discussed in our first class, I think that the more content we link together the greater "digital public space" becomes. There is no doubt that this digital public space links communities and people together who otherwise could not interact with one another, but at what cost to the individuals privacy and rights?
Tuesday Typology
Here are the pictures documenting my Tuesday. Frunescite (latin for enjoy)!
If you wish to view the album on flicker, you can do so here.
If you wish to view the album on flicker, you can do so here.
Home to Home
I gave Tawn the following instructions for our "follow the trail project":
Tawn.
I’ve devised a route from my academic home to my real home. Your starting spot is the Rutgers linguistics department on 18 Seminary Place and your destination is 218 Easton Ave. You goal is to reconstruct the trail I took using pictures I shot along the way. The pictures are numbered from 1 to 14 and follow the path I traveled. The subject of each picture is a location significant to my experience as an undergraduate here at Rutgers. By the end of this venture you will hopefully come to know me a little better because every picture contains a blurb on why each location is important to me. I intended for the route to be followed using google maps but if this proves to be too difficult, feel free to ask me for help or follow the route in real life.
Best of luck,
Allan
For anyone whose interested this is the path I took.
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