Well, I think I'm stuck on videos, but had to show this video since this is my last blog post for this class!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8ir8rVl2Z4.  It's called "The Last goodbye" by Billy Boyd.  I think the editor of this video did a fantastic job of splicing audio and video together to make it emotional.  This video was made as a tribute to Peter Jackson's work in Tolkien's world of Middle Earth, and shows scenes from all six movies. 

Concerning Uses of Space and Time in art (found on page 357), I wanted to point out this hall of mirrors.  I think it fits this qoute from the book well "Entering the installation was both inviting and disprienting.  From any point, all the rooms were visable yet veiled."(357)  This qoute actually refers to an installation in the book, but it holds true for this house of mirrors possibly even more. 

So, I found another video.  I just like videos, they are my favorite.  In this one, Acapella group Pentatonix sings "Mary Did You Know", and while the focus is on their fine vocalizing, I appreciate the video aspect to this song.  I think it adds a lot because one: they filmed in a cave, two: you get to see the singers, three: they filmed in a cave.  Adds drama, in my opinion.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=RD7GSTH3G1YIs&v=ifCWN5pJGIE 

Text and Type Style from page 354 talks about font, and how it can affect the reader's interpretation.  I found this to be true especially when I worked on my propaganda piece.  For that, I used a big bulky jagged font which reminded me of stone.  It was appropriate for what I wanted, because I wanted the viewer to think about how the font related to the background picture, which was layers of rock. 

Since video falls under the multimedia spectrum, I thought Devinsupetramp, from Youtube, does an excellent job of videography.  I like in this video how slow motion is used, how some of the shots don't show the trampoline, and the variety of shots used.  I think using variety helps the viewer comprehend how high the trampoline junkies are flying, and makes the video altogether more interesting.  If the camera had been one stationary shot with ordinary speed I think it still would have been interesting, just not as engaging.   Also, I now desire a trampoline like that. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_xZQOMmamk 

Starting on page 320 of the book is a description of narrative and nonnarative.  For an example of storytelling, I am taking quite a literal approach and linking here a transcript of the movie "the Hobbit an Unexpected Journey".  It's neat to see the movie in its script form, without any picture to depict it.  The script is just on of the many elements that go into movies. 
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WSLu9yYZZk55wi4PgZ904qC2eaHMw-e3jhpGjNGWJMs/edit?hl=en&forcehl=1 

I saw the Hobbit the Battle of the Five Armies on the opening night, and thought there were some elements relevant to multimedia authoring.  If you haven't seen this movie yet, avert your eyes!  I'm not actually spoiling any of the plot, I just wanted to point out some of the artistic elements.  Particularly, the CGI.  In this movie, CGI is one of the main tools used, and it shows when you watch the movie.  It is done spectacularly and is not obviously noticeable, except when your looking for it.  There are a couple shots with the elf Legolas where they did something to his face/eyes that makes him look fake.  I wasn't trying to look for it either, so I think they just applied too much in some parts of the movie.

 I read about using meaningful materials in the textbook on page 258.  This is a Folk Art Lamp made out of Popsicle sticks.  I would say this piece looks pretty intricate to begin with, but the fact that it's made out of Popsicle sticks makes it seem so much more of an accomplishment.  Three dimensional art often uses in-expensive materials, like this one does. 

So...this video blew my mind.  All one take, I believe, which is insane if you watch all the way through.  They used drones to film the above shots, and at the very end you can notice the camera view goes all the way from the ground surface to the clouds.  Officially glad to have seen this video!  
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1ZB_rGFyeU 

Addressing contradictory textures from page 204, this is a cube that I thought represents this concept.  It is an obvious cube, yet at the same time it's made up of slender curved sheets of metal.  When I think of a cube, I think of a box, or a crate; something uniform and possible dull.  The texture of this cube is shiny, sleek, artistic, curved, and rounded.  For me, this is a contradictory piece. 

Three dimensional design is the next subject that intrigued me.  There is something the book refers to as "dynamic form" where the structure implies movement.  I think this piece accomplishes that with its curvature, texture, and sleekness. 
When I look at this, I think rippling waves, wrinkling fabric, or something along those lines.  At the same time though, it strangely doesn't look exactly like any of those!  A clever piece, in my opinion.  

http://drmegavolt.com/dr-megavolt-videos/

Not sure how to upload a PowerPoint Presentation but maybe, just maybe, there might be one linked above.  I'm attempting to share a presentation I made on a crazy lighting guy named Austin Richards.  There is is a cool video linked within of his work with Tesla coils.  If the link doesn't work, please let me know.  Especially if you one of you knows how to share a PPT. presentation.     

Transformation in art works with physical form, and greatly relies upon the materiel with which it is made of.  In light of that, I think I found the coolest example out there (in my opinion); Bumblebee from Transformers made entirely out of recycled material!  This goes to show that you can make something incredible, like a high-tech-looking robot from outer space out what was once essentially trash.  Below is the piece referenced.  :D

Here is a link to my website.  I was proud to have fixed all the bugs have come up with this end result.  Indeed, after building my website one hundred percent, the most difficult obstacle I encountered was making everything accessible in a web browser.  At long last, I was a able to fix it so that it can now be seen. 

Here is the link:  http://users.tricity.wsu.edu/~james.sivonen/Index.html  

On page 129, Stewart talks about conviction and how creative people value existing knowledge.  I think that is an excellent point.  If an artist is trying to make it big (as we can assume most artists are), paying attention to your existing knowledge of your subject can be the tip of the scale for your success.  If you can hit a niche market that is big enough, or create something that enough people relate to, they will want to share it, and it could spread like wildfire.  Though it is more program than art, Youtube is an example of a company who saw the trends and worked that into their vision. 

Behold: my propaganda piece!  You might be wondering what it is all about, so let me explain.  The commonly believed theory in the evolutionist scientific community is that the earth is 4 billion plus years old, and each layer of earth represents an immense span of time.  Well, we have found these interesting pieces of evidence.  Petrified trees slicing through all those layers.  The Below art piece contains but one of many trees found like this.  These trees defy the logic that layers of earth could have formed around a vertical tree, yet there are layers present.  Just like everywhere else.  An impossibility, which, at least to some degree should destroy scientists' current theory.  It is unclear why they still hold on to that theory, but this propaganda piece is meant to show the confusion of it all.   

Page 123 talks about collaborative creativity, which I think is a great idea to employ.  The idea is to generate tons of ideas, then pick the ones with the most viable end product.  Also, bouncing ideas of of other artists can help you determine which ideas are the best.  Below is a more-or-less accurate depiction of what brainstorming might look like, 

My photo-montage project.  This here is  Oreo, my brother's hamster.  I chose to arrange this montage as you see it because this hamster was in constant movement, and the spiral represents motion.  The smaller to bigger picture sizes represent the passing of time, until finally the center picture shows the hamster reach her goal: the hamster treat.  

I find the illusion of motion in art fascinating, and Stewart addresses it on page 96-97.  I found this magical pony and just had to share it.  This illustration gives the appearance of motion as this creature seems to be tumbling through the air.  The flailing legs and mane/tail are important in this art piece, as they are the biggest indicators of motion.  (from deviant art)  

This here is my Propaganda piece.  I wanted to do something a little different, and I came across this photograph of a petrified tree trunk that was found vertical through solid rock.  There were other images of multiple trunks over a large distance, but this one served its purpose.  As you can see in the picture, the rock is layered like a stack of pancakes.  There is an ongoing controversial debate about the age of thee earth that revolves around this enigma.  This image suggests that this section of earth was laid down very rapidly.  How else could an entire tree be lodged within it, deep underground?  And yet there are visible layers in the rock surrounding it, like those found all over the earth.  It has been argued that the discovery of these trunks has "sliced" a hole in many scientists' theories that each layer represents an enormous span of time.  In true propaganda fashion, this poster only presents one side of the issue, and I attempted to make it as compelling as possible. 

When I read about the idea of a triadic color scheme within pages 38-66 I thought it was interesting to use such contrasting colors in art.  The idea of triadic color is to use hues from a triangular shape on the color wheel; three colors.  It is meant to create contrast and impact.  Here is a picture I found which represents this concept, and that I just plain like.  The artist used mostly red, greens, and purples which are equally spaced on the color wheel.  

It looks like the artist used the contrasting colors to make the light appear superbly-present.  It almost looks real even though you can tell it's a painting. 

Here is my abstract art piece made in Adobe Illustrator.  I used the letters "J" "A" and "M", playing with the borders, strokes, and colors to create the above images.  I really liked the contrast between the vibrant colors and the block font, so I created the jagged "etchy" strokes on the edges to add some depth.  I also used the eraser, rectangle shape, clipping mask, and border tools to complete this project.

Upon first seeing this, I thought the white things were birds,  Looking closer, I thought maybe Chinese symbols?  On the other hand, I don't know any Chinese symbols, so I have come to the conclusion that I have no idea what these strange lights are supposed to be.  Maybe that is the point of this piece, or maybe there is something else behind it.
This is one of the works exhibited at China Museum of Digital Art, Beijing.    http://www.field.io/exhibitions/communion/  

Our book covers implied lines in the first chapter, and I found this somewhat amusing video where someone draws a frog using only implied lines.  It's interesting because each shape they use could stand alone, but because of the placement you can see the big picture. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhyDTyKsnnY 

Mary Stewart states that the reason we connect the lines in our head is because "we have a natural inclination to seek visual unity."  It is a rather interesting concept.

Self Portrait

 

Hey, this is James Sivonen.  This is my completed self-portrait project.  As you can probably see, this happens to be my face photoshopped onto the body of a knight on a horse.  I chose this because I am a complete medieval-geek, and I thought this represents that side of me.  As far as my expression in this image, I chose an intense stare that I thought would be befitting of the knight's pose (and a bit humorious).  Aside from cutting out my face from another image of me, resizing and positioning it, I brought in a couple other elements.  I used the burn tool to make my face blend with the painting , the eraser tool to shred the edges, and the blur tool for finishing touches.  

Welcome to my blog!