Comments.

Comment #1: http://alexk12.blogspot.com/2011/01/blog-entry-1-art-imitating-media.html

Comment #2: http://arudzleo.blogspot.com/2010/10/my-first-impression-of-this-video-was.html?showComment=1296514980771#c1746513753536435786

Comment #3: http://alexk12.blogspot.com/2010/10/like-g6-xd.html?showComment=1296515400211#c5433943309751980060

Comment #4: http://alexk12.blogspot.com/2011/01/blog-entry-5-digital-actors.html?showComment=1298388882116#c3764409461706305227

Comment #5: http://alexk12.blogspot.com/2011/01/blog-entry-4-from-spray-can-to-light.html?showComment=1298389085263#c6922475716766501349

Comment #6: http://alexk12.blogspot.com/2011/01/blog-entry-3-mashups-and-copyright-law.html?showComment=1298389795343#c209778883362349748

will edit later.

Blog Entry #6: Logo Parodies that speak the truth

This logo is one that I found from the competition organized by Greenpeace, and I chose it because it was a clear representation to me of what has happened. The creator has incorporated the British Petroleum's logo colours and put them onto the birds' wings. The bird is coloured completely in black because that's what the effects of the spilled oil have on them, especially ducks, swans, and other birds that live near the water.


The logo itself uses colour, shape, contrast, and is asymmetrical. The contrast between the bright yellow, and green colours and the black bird background makes them stand out more. And although the wings seems to be symmetrical (or close to it), they aren't exactly right, so the image is asymmetrical.


This is just one logo out of hundreds, even thousands, made by people worldwide concerned about our environment. You can see that there's no real "love" shown towards BP, and their corporate identity speaks for itself. People blame corporate oil companies such as British Petroleum for the destruction of our environment, and though they are right, (the spill is a good example why!) they aren't the sole reason why, humans just find it easier to blame others, instead of accepting responsibility and doing something about it to change. Not that I try to make BP look innocent because they are obviously responsible, for more than just the oil spill, but the main reason there's blame on oil companies is because we blame them for the environment crisis we are faced with.

Blog Entry #5: Digital Actors

There has been recent debate about whether animated actors should deserve recognition for their work with awards and whether or not it should be considered as actually acting. These are my thoughts and opinions on the subject.


In my opinion is that it still is acting and the actors should gain recognition. They are still doing all of the work, acting and the lines and the scripts - it's all them. They are just animated when it comes to the final product and appear in a different way. This could go either way but that is just my opinion. It could be said that people do agree with my view as well and the actors should be credited for their work. The counter argument people will make is that it is an animation and the people should not be fully credited for what you see in the final product, because they technically did not do the acting.


Animated actors should be credited for their work and therefore be eligible to win awards and nominations just as regular actors would. If that becomes too controversial, then perhaps a new category for animated characters and actors as, no doubt, they will become more common from now on.


While reading the article Do the 'Avatar' actors deserve recognition, I noticed that actor nominee, Jeff Bridges, had told Time magazine the day of the nominations, that “I’m sure they could do it now if they wanted. Actors will kind of be a thing of the past, we’ll be turned into combinations. A director will be able to say, ‘I want 60 percent Clooney; give me 10 percent Bridges; and throw some Charles Bronson in there.’ They’ll come up with a new guy who will look like nobody who has ever lived and that person or thing will be huge." Now, although possible, it would still take a lot of time for human actors to be replaced to be replaced completely by animated actors. I think it won't happen, even though it is possible because it wouldn't be right to replace human beings that have dedicated their lives acting, with animations; even if the results could be better. It would take a lot of time to master these animated characters and have humans become obsolete. 


Basically, humans won't become obsolete. 

Blog Entry #4: From Spray Can to light: Graffiti Revisited.

Energizer, Keeps you going!

Light graffiti, before a couple months ago, was completely new and fascinating to me. I had no idea how it was done and didn't know that graffiti without permits could even be legal! :P I had fun doing this project and experimenting with the different ways to use light and manipulate it.

At first, while looking for a picture to give me inspiration, I found some Energizer battery light ads such as this one. I found them all great but I like this one especially because of the detail that's put in along with the use of different colours. The value and colour is great and the light is very clear and not blurry. The contrast between the bright lights and the dark background makes the image stand out more. The light graffiti itself is very professionally done and looks fantastic.

SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS!

Light graffiti and graffiti done with spray paint on walls are very different. This one fortunately was done with a permit, so it's all legal. I picked this one out because I was (still am) a Spongebob fan and it's a great piece of art considering how difficult it must've been for the artist.

The colour is great and very bright and vivid, the shape is obviously a square, but the thing I think is most interesting is the texture. Because this was done on a concrete wall, there is some texture and we can notice it especially on the yellow part. This, for me, makes it all the better because now it looks more like an actual sponge with textures and the pores.

Light Graffiti vs. Graffiti

• Similar in many ways, both can be very abstract and require a real vision
• Both can be used to illustrate a picture or image
• Both require quite a lot of time to fully master
• Can be used to write fancy eye-grabbing text
• Differences are, that light graffiti requires no permit because you are only using light and not damaging or vandalizing anybody else's property, while graffiti requires a permit otherwise you could get arrested
• Graffiti as most people would see it, is associated with underground things - gangs, violence, etc

THESE ARE JUST PLAIN AWESOME!!

Cheers!

Blog Entry #3: Mashups and Copyright Law

The song is a mashup of the Bee Gees' "Stayin' Alive" and Pink Floyd's "Another Brick In The Wall Pt. II" it's got a unique sound to it, but the two songs combine together very well. This mashup is an abstract work of media art, created by Wax Audio http://www.youtube.com/user/waxaudio made for the enjoyment of others. I find it especially interesting because I've heard both songs and am a fan of Pink Floyd. Also, musically and rhythmically the two songs blend together nicely, the tempo is nearly the same and it has a great overall sound!

The creator has not broken any of the copyright laws, otherwise the video would've been removed by Youtube. It's a shame to see some good mashups removed because of copyright infringements. I believe that mashups do require copyright permission, and all credits for the original music should be given to the respective artists and companies. It is their work, they have created the work of art they should be able to have their names on their own work. Not following copyright laws will result in a lawsuit and a lot of headache that comes along with it. It is the equivalent of plagiarizing someone else's work; in highschool you get a 0, but out there, in the real world, you'll be fined and might even be sent to jail depending on how severe the case. Whichever way you look at it, you WILL be punished for using someone else's work and not giving them the proper credits they deserve.

You can find more of their mashups at their website http://www.waxaudio.com.au/

Blog Entry #2: A Look at Music Videos

Now days, songs are all very high-tech and all futuristic with HD features and such, this song caught my eye in particular because of its uniqueness. This song has become a quick sensation among myself and other music listeners everywhere. I was immediately captivated with the old school pictures and the grey effects also I found it interesting that by using classical and jazz instruments such as the saxophone and bass, they were able to make a techno-house type party song.


I've viewed this video over and over again and I'm captivated by the classic theme they have with their suites and ties and grey effect. It's quite a funky sound and has a light, fun attitude. The song itself is something out of the ordinary, different from what we'd regularly hear these days and so the directors and producers of the video have done it accordingly as well. You wouldn't expect something of this fashion for a party song, you would more likely be seeing people at a bar or club with lots of flashy lights and possibly money raining down... However, that's what I like about this video and what separates this for me from the rest of the music videos out there. I really love the catchy song and funny video! 


Seeing this song has changed my perspective of this song. I've always liked it from ever since the first time I heard it on the radio, but I hadn't seen the video. However when I saw the music video, my perspective was opened up and I totally loved the video - it was funny and unique! I'm hoping to see more videos like this, and I've also recommended this to my friends and everyone else by "favourite"-ing it on Youtube. 


Hope you enjoyed the song & video, while you were reading.