the fun theory

I came across this the other day
and I thought it might be interesting since we've been talking about the importance of fun
there are even more videos on thefuntheory.com but this one is my favorite

the piano stairs

-sasha

Elizabeth Gilbert's TED Talk

http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html

So my drawing teacher showed us this video a couple of weeks ago and since then I've watched it like a million times, It really helped me understand what all the teachers here have been talking about when they talk about "FAILING"; because i hate to fail and it just feels horrible but i benefitted a lot from watching this and i thought some of you might too. It's ten minutes that are really worth watching.

Sofia :)

Winter Break

Over the Winter Break, please watch the following films:
1. The Wizard of Oz (The Technicolor version, not the original black and white.)
2. Pleasantville
3. Wim Wender's Wings of Desire

Please take note of the use of color in each film.

Also, please keep in touch with your collaborators. Share information and research related to your proposed collaborative project on the blog. Be ready to work on it on the first day of class of the Spring Semester.

Best wishes for a restful and rejuvenating break, and a good start to 2011.

A Current Documentary Worth Seeing: Waste Land

Filmed over nearly three years, WASTE LAND follows renowned artist Vik Muniz as he journeys from his home base in Brooklyn to his native Brazil and the world's largest garbage dump, Jardim Gramacho, located on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro. There he photographs an eclectic band of “catadores”—self-designated pickers of recyclable materials. Muniz’s initial objective was to “paint” the catadores with garbage. However, his collaboration with these inspiring characters as they recreate photographic images of themselves out of garbage reveals both the dignity and despair of the catadores as they begin to re-imagine their lives. Director Lucy Walker (DEVIL’S PLAYGROUND, BLINDSIGHT, COUNTDOWN TO ZERO) has great access to the entire process and, in the end, offers stirring evidence of the transformative power of art and the alchemy of the human spirit. For a trailer of the film, visit: http://www.wastelandmovie.com/index.html

Kate Macdowell

I saw this work a long time ago, and I continually run into it, but it always amazes me to look at it. Basically, I get alot of inspiration from this lady.

http://www.katemacdowell.com/portfolio.html

////cornie\\\\

Jenn's memory "vending machine"

I loved Jenn's figure head piece that let us turn the nose knob to recieve a puzzle piece of a full memory. It reminded me of one of my favorite artists, Riso Puno. One of her series involves handmade consumer art, titled "Vend-to-Own". Puno buys old vending machines and builds off of them to fit her idea. She even makes her own products that come out, like lipbalms and temporary tattoos!

- Jenny A.

See "Vend-to-Own" here.
See Risa Puno's other works here.

Modern Cabinet of Curiosities

The work and website of British artist Keith Tyson. 

Keith Tyson was the winner of the 2002 Turner Prize. "His work is concerned with an interest in generative systems, and an embrace of the complexity and interconnectedness of existence. Philosophical problems such as the nature of causality, the roles of probability and design in human experience, and the limits and possibilities of human knowledge, animate much of his work. Tyson works in a wide range of media, including painting, drawing and installation."

JOURNALS

People of the Elements - Your journals and sketchbooks have been reviewed and await your retrieval. They are located under the 'bench' as soon as you enter the faculty lounge in Foundation. (The room with the photocopier). There is a pink paper with my name and arrows to point the way. Best wishes in this finals time and see you next week.

Knitting Circle

If you knit and would like to share your knitting know-how, please join us in Introduction to Fiber, Wednesday December 15th from 6-8pm in Room 206 in the Station Building. (Second floor, and to the right when you come up the stairs.)

Bring your knitting needles and yarn. If you would like to teach some of the intro students, please come at 5:30, so all the 'teachers' can check in.

Questions? Email Valeska

In between before and after SHOW

IN BETWEEN BEFORE AND AFTER

An exhibition of work created in Sarah Doherty’s I.S. class, Installations

Opening Reception: Friday, December 10^th

7pm – 9pm

Area 405

405 East Oliver Street

Baltimore, MD 21218

Competitive Scholarships

Competitive scholarship applications are available at:

www.mica.edu/competitivescholarships

Info sessions will be held on:

Wednesday, December 8, 2010 7-8pm Meyerhoff House Private Dining Room

Wednesday, January 19th, 2011 7-8pm, Meyerhoff House Private Dining Room

Applications are due on Tuesday, February 1st, 2011 

No late applications will be accepted.

Super Blog

Dana's post made me think of Artsauce, a blog I came across recently, featuring very current work including:

Benjamin Edminston

Matt Stone

Nick Mann

Pepa Prieto

Pepa Prieto uses bold color and geometric shapes in his beautiful mixed media pieces. He typically works very large. He has worked for many companies, such as MTV, to create designs and logos. His sculptures are fun as well.

Here is his website:

http://pepaprieto.com/

Dana Holgerson