Made by Lindsay Willard. 2009.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Response to, "Identity Management in Cyberspace"
This article made me think about my recent experience for this class using the site Second Life. Even the first sentence of the article, "Who are you in cyberspace?" made me stop reading and consider just that. With Second Life you are started with a generic avatar, you can choose from a few options, but they are all pretty basic. I chose one that I though looked most like myself. After entering the game, I was able to chat with a girl in the space that gave me "freebie" clothing, body types, hair, and facial features. I ended up completely changing my avatar's appearance not even ten minutes into playing, which I see as a parallel to my offline personality, a relentless shopper. The article touched on how, "Some people even talk about how we can 'deconstruct' ourseves online," referring to the choice we have not to show all aspects of ourselves through our avatars. As a typical girl does, I have my insecurities, and it's no mistake that my avatar would most likely run circles around me at the gym if it magically sprung out of the computer. It seems to me that places like Second Life allow for anyone to be represented any way they want. I saw not a single person represent themself with an anti-social, lazy, unnatractive avatar while I tested out virtual reality. As said in the article, "People also strive to attain new, idealized ways of being." Though everyone I interacted with seemed to be exercising their socially deemed, "good qualities," online, I have no doubt that there are people out there who use cyberspace as an outlet for their darker characteristics, as mentioned in the article, and act out negatively towards other users. I did not use Second Life enough to establish a solid cyberspace identity that I can recognize, but it seemed as though everyone I came across was completely emersed in their character role. Without knowing who is behind the computer on their end, it is hard to know how true to their real identity they become in cyberspace. Interacting through a computer middle-man created an anonimity that I found comforting. I didn't have to feel exposed in any way, or obligated to interact with anyone I didn't want to. In real life, there are consequences for blowing people off or not acting within society's accepted boundaries, but cyberspace holds no one accountable.
A part of the article I found interesting was when it talked about the level of conscious awareness and control. It noted that our personalities in cyberspace aren't a complete conscious choice. I find it facinating that interacting in cyberspace, without normal societal pressures, without restrictions on who or what you can be, can tell you so much about your identity. It is incredible how cyberspace interaction can bring out facets of peoples' personalities that they may never have been able to explore under normal life conditions.After this article I really wish I could know more about how my personality manifests itself in cyberspace.
A part of the article I found interesting was when it talked about the level of conscious awareness and control. It noted that our personalities in cyberspace aren't a complete conscious choice. I find it facinating that interacting in cyberspace, without normal societal pressures, without restrictions on who or what you can be, can tell you so much about your identity. It is incredible how cyberspace interaction can bring out facets of peoples' personalities that they may never have been able to explore under normal life conditions.After this article I really wish I could know more about how my personality manifests itself in cyberspace.
Response to, "Finished Work is a Thing of the Past"
Article by Tom Shermann, 1995
In this article, Shermann relates artists as "knowledge-workers" (those who produce information, turn data into information, while "distinguishing key aspects of disorder through the discovery and/or imposition of form." He touches on how a at the end of the past century, material wealth is seen as more valuable than wealth of information. He notes that in order for art to be economically successful, art must be regarded as valuable information. This article provoked my thoughts of how art is a learned creative process and a skill set. Many mediums have been handed down through the ages and have evolved into what they are today and will continue to change with the times. Thinking about the way photography, for example, has changed as an art form from the most basic Camera Obscura to such capabilities as the new digital SLR Nikon D90 model. The need for traditional silver based chemical processing is almost completely obsolete (aside from those of us who take an artistic interest in the medium) which can be applied to Shermann's implication that if an artform process is no longer regarded as valuable information as the years progress, it will be completely lost in time.
Also, Shermann writes of what classifies a piece as "finished." He claims that a living artist's work will always remain unfinished as a work-in-progress. He notes that only death can cross a piece over into classification of complete. He also writes that, "Contemporary works of art are valued most if they appear to be up-to-date." I agree that the most innovative concepts and works are revered as most valued in the contemporary art realm, people are most interested in the new and different. Though, I also think Shermann discounts the value of the Contemporary art that is not focused completely on being new and of the moment. It is important to address that while a valued piece of Contemporary art may be thought of as new and fresh, the age-old processes used to create the work is the root of the piece. Very few, if any, art out there can be 100% fresh and untied to a long past in the processes that lead to its creation. For example, the poshist photograph on digital camera technology should not be considered unnattached to the historic rooted evolution it took to get photography where it is today. I personally see all Contemporary art as not only having value for its cutting-edge impact, but as having value for its extension from obsolete practices as well.
In this article, Shermann relates artists as "knowledge-workers" (those who produce information, turn data into information, while "distinguishing key aspects of disorder through the discovery and/or imposition of form." He touches on how a at the end of the past century, material wealth is seen as more valuable than wealth of information. He notes that in order for art to be economically successful, art must be regarded as valuable information. This article provoked my thoughts of how art is a learned creative process and a skill set. Many mediums have been handed down through the ages and have evolved into what they are today and will continue to change with the times. Thinking about the way photography, for example, has changed as an art form from the most basic Camera Obscura to such capabilities as the new digital SLR Nikon D90 model. The need for traditional silver based chemical processing is almost completely obsolete (aside from those of us who take an artistic interest in the medium) which can be applied to Shermann's implication that if an artform process is no longer regarded as valuable information as the years progress, it will be completely lost in time.
Also, Shermann writes of what classifies a piece as "finished." He claims that a living artist's work will always remain unfinished as a work-in-progress. He notes that only death can cross a piece over into classification of complete. He also writes that, "Contemporary works of art are valued most if they appear to be up-to-date." I agree that the most innovative concepts and works are revered as most valued in the contemporary art realm, people are most interested in the new and different. Though, I also think Shermann discounts the value of the Contemporary art that is not focused completely on being new and of the moment. It is important to address that while a valued piece of Contemporary art may be thought of as new and fresh, the age-old processes used to create the work is the root of the piece. Very few, if any, art out there can be 100% fresh and untied to a long past in the processes that lead to its creation. For example, the poshist photograph on digital camera technology should not be considered unnattached to the historic rooted evolution it took to get photography where it is today. I personally see all Contemporary art as not only having value for its cutting-edge impact, but as having value for its extension from obsolete practices as well.
Apparently I'm A Night Owl....
~~I want to be an artist because my creative side dominates all other aspects of my life and personality, and it is something I enjoy embracing instead of trying to fight. For the longest time I was so focused on my assumption that I had to study something in college that would give me immediate earning power and status in the world, but never had I been more wrong. I truly believe that you will only succeed and excel at something that you have the capability to be interested and invested fully into, and thus, I am not going to become an engineer, a lawyer, or anything of the sort. I have always assessed the world more artistically and creatively than the more left-brained people in my life and can't wait to continue to pursue my calling. I find my work to be a tremendous outlet for my curiosities, fears, desires, and general lines of thought and I don't know what I would do without it. My most recent through expressions have been on the darker side, exploring modes of death and afterlife.
***One of my favorite artists is Duane Michaels, I am absolutely in love with this series:
"Things Are Queer" by Duane Michaels
He has influenced my work in so many ways and has inspired my own creation of a few progressive series.
---Personal Biography:
Lindsay Willard is currently a student at the University of Colorado, and is completing a BA in Fine Arts with concentrations in Photography and Digital Art, and a certificate in Advertising. She constantly pursues new art media and the evolving technology supporting its production. While she explores the vast opportunities that lie ahead, Willard has been building her own identity as an artist through compilation of her portfolio. With graduation approaching in 2010, Willard hopes to get a taste of life outside of her native city of Boulder through an art internship or work situation. Willard's largest desire is to continue to gather life experiences to put towards and inspire her art career. With a unique view of the world today, Lindsay Willard is headed for the top on her pathway.
***One of my favorite artists is Duane Michaels, I am absolutely in love with this series:
"Things Are Queer" by Duane Michaels
He has influenced my work in so many ways and has inspired my own creation of a few progressive series.
---Personal Biography:
Lindsay Willard is currently a student at the University of Colorado, and is completing a BA in Fine Arts with concentrations in Photography and Digital Art, and a certificate in Advertising. She constantly pursues new art media and the evolving technology supporting its production. While she explores the vast opportunities that lie ahead, Willard has been building her own identity as an artist through compilation of her portfolio. With graduation approaching in 2010, Willard hopes to get a taste of life outside of her native city of Boulder through an art internship or work situation. Willard's largest desire is to continue to gather life experiences to put towards and inspire her art career. With a unique view of the world today, Lindsay Willard is headed for the top on her pathway.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Identity Brainstorm:
5 Nouns describing me: American Dream, family, relationship, exercise, work.
5 Adjectives describing me: caring, descriptive, literal, emotional, hopeful.
5 Metaphors:
I am a rock because sometimes I only get moving when pushed.
I am a tree because I'm strong inside and out.
I am a dictionary because I am honest and to the point.
I am a diamond because I'm beautiful and hard to crush.
I am sunshine because I can thaw any heart.
5 Adjectives describing me: caring, descriptive, literal, emotional, hopeful.
5 Metaphors:
I am a rock because sometimes I only get moving when pushed.
I am a tree because I'm strong inside and out.
I am a dictionary because I am honest and to the point.
I am a diamond because I'm beautiful and hard to crush.
I am sunshine because I can thaw any heart.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Lynn Hershman Leeson
To check her out:
www.lynnhershman.com/
She's awesome and so diverse in the media she has explored.
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