HW11.3 Blank Assignment

For my blank assignment, I returned to working with sound.  This time however, instead of working with sounds that I created, I used sounds that I downloaded from the website freesound.org.  I downloaded different versions of laughter from different users on the website.  Together, they create an alternative sort of laugh track, like those used on sitcoms.  There are very different styles of laughter from children to individual men to large groups of people laughing.  I played around with the echo and reverb features to distort the laughter towards the end.  I wanted all of the laughs to combine into a sort of white noise.

HW11.2.2 3D Printing Artist Research: Morehshin Allahyari

Morehshin Allahyari created a 3D printed art project in response to the 2015 destruction of ancient artifacts at the Mosul Museum in Iraq.  The original statues from the Roman period city of Hatra and Assyrian artifacts from Nineveh were destroyed by Islamic State extremists with sledgehammers.  The Mosul Museum kept no catalog of their collection and little information is available on the destroyed pieces of antiquity.  Through her research, Allahyari was able to find old scanned photographs of some of the destroyed objects.  Although 3D printed models are usually made using multiple photos from different angles, Allahyari worked with what she had and created models based off of the old photos.  The collection of 3D printed images is called Material Speculation: ISIS and each work was made using clear filament.  Within each objects, a memory card is lodged which holds the 3D model design along with images, maps, pdf files, and videos relating to the history of the original artifact.

Sources:
http://www.morehshin.com/material-speculation-isis/
http://www.dailydot.com/technology/isis-3d-printing/

HW11.2.1 3D Printing Artist Research: Ji Lee

Ji Lee is an artist who used 3D printing to create a public art project.  His work, Mysterabbit, is a series of 10,000 identical, tiny bunny statues.  The bunnies are shown in a mediative pose and are placed in random spots around the world.  Mysterabbits have been found in South Korea, Iceland, and even the United States.  The purpose of the project is to stop people in their daily routines and allow them a moment of joy and surprise when they come across the small hidden rabbit in public.  By using a 3D printer to create this project, Lee was able to make the project a truly "public" work.  The 3D model is available for free on its own website and people are encouraged to print their own meditating bunnies and add to the project.

Sources:
http://www.mysterabbit.com/about
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/06/30/3d-printing-art_n_5534459.html

HW11.1 3D Printing

Using the Tinkerbot program to create the model for my 3D printed object was more difficult than I expected.  I assumed that the program would have more shapes and options available, but it was up to me to build the model from a few very basic shapes.  This makes sense, but it took more time and effort than I thought it would considering my object is fairly simple.  The printing process itself was very easy and I loved that you could scale the object to any size.  My object only took about seven minutes to print and it came out just as I imagined.

HW10.2 Reading Reflection

I really liked how the reading emphasized that creative projects do not require hightech, expensive materials and tools.  Not every classroom is equipped with a laser cutter and a 3D printer.  Most classrooms are underfunded for supplies and educators pay out of pocket for many basic necessities.  If an art teacher is convinced that the only way to involve technology in their curriculum is if they personally pay for an expensive piece of equipment, then it probably will not happen.  Utilizing basic technological sources, like word processing and online publishing, allow educators to use technology without breaking the bank and give students a new creative outlet.

In the second reading, the story about "Googling the Error" really resonated with me because it is something that I grew up with, but I had to teach it to my parents.  Whenever I have a problem with the computer or the wifi or the television, I google the problem and find the solution online.  My ability to solve problems this way made my parents think I was very technologically savvy and they often asked me for help.  When I went away for college, I had to teach them how to google problems for themselves because it seemed illogical for them to call me just to have me google it.  I had no more knowledge than they did and we both had access to the internet so really they were just as capable of solving the problem.

HW10.3 Blog Comments

Blogs I commented on:

Anita

Nina

Ava

Carrianna

Teny

Leying

Jihyun

While commenting on everyone's blogs I was most drawn to the works that people said were based on ideas or pieces that they had worked with before.  Clearly they were comfortable with the theme or aesthetic that they knew and used that comfort to help them with a new, unfamiliar medium.

HW10.1 Laser Cutting Project

I really enjoyed this project.  Laser cutting is an amazing medium that presents so many possibilities.  Besides being able to cut nearly any design with the laser, my favorite part of working with the laser cutter was the multitude of materials that could be cut.  Cardboard, wood, foam, and plexiglass were all at our disposal and each reacted slightly differently to the laser.  I chose cardboard for this project because I liked that it made the piece seem casual and unlike an art object.  To see an intricate design on such a simple material creates an intriguing contrast.  I also chose to work with etching and not cutting because I though it would make the small details of the design stand out more.  I like to think that this could be used by a paranormal investigator on the go.  I really loved working with Sohee and Andrew because they gave such clear and concise instructions that made the intimidating process very easy to understand.