You're Beautiful

For my performance art piece, I had an extremely difficult time coming up with ideas.  I am not one to do anything out in public with the end goal of getting reactions from people, so I was kind of dreading this assignment as soon as I learned about it.

That being said, I had the hardest time coming up with something to do.  Every time I Google or YouTube searched performance art, the examples were from professional artists, and were all so 'out there' that there was no way I could picture myself doing something like them.

Eventually, I came across a video by YouTuber Shea that she made about a year ago.  She went around to her friends and classmates asking to take pictures of them, and told them she was taking pictures of things that she thought were beautiful.

Now this was something I could do.

Because this was not my original idea, I sent an email to Shea explaining what I was supposed to do for this piece, and asking permission to use her idea.  A screenshot of my email is attached below.  I had a backup plan in case she did not get back to me in time (I decided to do this on Sunday night...the project was due in less than 48 hours...) or decided that she did not want me to use her idea, but she replied to my email before I did my project, telling me that I could use her idea, and to simply send her the link to my video when I was done.  Her response is also attached below.

After hearing back from her, I grabbed my camera and headed across the street to Curtis Hixon Park and the Tampa Riverwalk.  At first I was hesitant and did not want to approach people to ask to take their picture..I mean, these were complete strangers!  However, with an encouraging push from my videographer (literally) I was able to work up the nerve and ask people if I could take their pictures for a school project (and I would like to think that as I went along I became more comfortable, but lets be real, talking to strangers is not my strong suit).

Anyways, some of the reactions I got were priceless!  I would hold up the camera (if they agreed) and tell them that the point of the project was to take pictures of things that I thought were beautiful.  Someone cried, another laughed and smiled, some had no reaction, and one simply did not want me to take her picture.

While I wasn't really 'performing' per say, I did get a reaction from those who I approached.

Please enjoy my video!  It's not my best work, but like I said, the idea came to me with less than 48 hours to actually do my performance art, upload and edit the video so that it is less than 3 minutes, and upload it here on my blog.

I hope you all enjoy!

STAY BEAUTIFUL!

My Email

The Approval

If you are having trouble opening the video, try clicking here

We Got The Beat

For this assignment, we had to research different music movements and add another artist to said movement.  We were supposed to do this with five different movements, and obviously explain why we chose to add the new artists in.  Hopefully some of the artists I choose are new to you guys, and also you like them, because I think they're pretty awesome!  Some of them obviously most people have heard of if you've ever listened to today's hits, but hopefully you find at least one new band on this list!

The Movement - Punk

The band I chose to add to the punk music movement is Neck Deep.  They are, quite literally, a generic pop punk band.  They sell tee shirts that say as much, and their music holds true to that.  I actually saw them in concert in St. Pete at the beginning of October, and they were awesome!  They're super fun to watch, and they just have fun on stage doing what they love.  

Here's an interview from them!  To watch one of their music videos, click here

The Movement - Hardcore

The band I am choosing for the hardcore movement is A Day To Remember.  To be quite honest, I don't like a lot of their hard core music, but I am a fan of their softer songs, like Have Faith In Me or You Had Me At Hello.  A lot of their songs, though, are very much hard core.  I also saw them in concert over the Summer, and they were really cool to watch! 

Here's a video on how they got their band name.  To see a music video, click here

The Movement - Post Modern Crisis

For the post modern crisis movement, I chose to include the band Ember Island.  On our class website, this movement is associated with cover culture.  I chose to include this band because of their cover of the song Creep, originally by Radiohead.  This cover is amazing, and beautifully done.

Yay this video actually loaded on here!  However, if you're having trouble opening it, click here 

The Movement - Electronic Producer/DJ Culture

I chose The Chainsmokers for this movement.  They're pretty popular today, and I can't help but admit that I love the song Closer that recently reached the top of the charts.  Their songs are all  super catchy because they produce simply beats and catchy lyrics.  

If this video isn't loading, click here

The Movement - Girl Power

I am adding artist Rachel Platten to the girl power movement, specifically for her song Fight Song.  The song itself is very empowering, and I'm not gonna lie, it got me through some rough days at work a few years ago when it first came out.

If you're having trouble opening the video, click here

What Is Art...This Is Art

For this project, we had to use the Xerox machine to make black and white copies of ourselves.  This means we could use our hands, feet, face...any body part or parts we wanted.  The entirety of the project was supposed to be done in black and white, meaning the background also, but I ended up using a red poster board for my background for two reasons.  One, red was the only color at the bookstore that was the correct size. And two, I personally wanted a red background to add a pop of color to the project.  I know I will most likely get points off for my decision, but I think it's worth it because I love the way it turned out.

For my project, I decided to photocopy my hands, and form my fingers into different letters.  I wanted to let everyone know that this is art.

This project ended up looking better in execution than it did in my head.  I did not have high hopes for how this would turn out, but was pleasantly surprised with the end result.

To be honest, I had no idea what to do for this project until about twenty four hours before I had to turn it in.  I kept thinking that if I tried not to focus so hard on coming up with an idea, one would eventually come to me out of nowhere.  Thank goodness I was right.

I really don't know where the inspiration came from specifically, but I can relate it back to something discussed in class.  A while back, there was a heated discussion about what constitutes as art, and the example of Marcel Duchamp's piece, "Fountain", was brought up.  For those of you who don't know, Duchamp's "Fountain" is simply a urinal with the signature "R. Mutt 1917" painted in black.  You can read more about it by clicking here.

Some people argued that this is not art.  Others argued the opposite.  Thus, the question formed in my mind, "What is art?"

I believe that every artist has their own view on the world, and that art is not a term that can be easily defined.  To say to an artist that their work is not art is to say that they are wrong.  In truth, they are not wrong, and neither are you.  You simply see the world differently.  

For example, some people say that pop art is unoriginal and artists today who are influenced by pop art are simply copying Andy Warhol.  Personally, I believe that pop art can be and is original.  While the influence may have come from another artist, as long as I am not stealing his exact work, the art is mine (hence, my Ode to Pop Art in my grid art).  An artist can be influenced by the works of another and still be their own person.  After all, imitation is the best form of flattery.

But I digress.  As I was saying, the question popped into my mind "What is art?"  I can't sit behind this computer screen and tell you what art is or isn't, but I can tell you that my Xerox Project is art.

Art comes in many forms, is influenced by many people, and is in the eye of the beholder.

So, I ask again, "What is art?"

This is art.