Feelings towards Mouchette's digital artwork

1. My feeling towards the Mouchette's digital artwork:

I think the website is quite strange. However the way the artist express the her work is special.

She type some words at every pages of the website. Different pages with different sounds.

The artist said she was only 13-year-old. But I don't believe this is true. It might be a way to

attract more people to search her work.

I think it is an artwork that in order to develop a new identity. What the artist mentioned may be

true or false.

When I click on the website, I don't know how to analyse her work.

Some flies appear on the website. It gives me a sense of realistic. At the same time, a bit disgusting and

annoying. 

However, after I doing some research about the work. I slightly understand what the artist may want

to express. The idea of the website is based on a film called "Mouchetter" by Robert Bresson in 1967.

The film is about a sucidal case --- A girl was raped.(Mouchette, 2007). So I think some picture and

sound arouse some erotic feeling may related to the raping case.

1. "Mouchette", 2007, Brown University Wiki, retrived from 30 Oct 2010:
https://wiki.brown.edu/confluence/display/MarkTribe/Mouchette

2. What is online identity convergence?
It may refer to people who has multiple identity. Take me as an example, in school, I am a
university student. At home, I am a daughter of my parents and sister of my brother.
In my working place, I am an employee. In our daily life, we have many different identities.
Even in the Internet world is the same. We have many accounts, such as, MSN, Facbook, Email
and so on. So, identity convergence refer to people nowadays have many (online) identities at the same
time.

 

The Inter-Discommunication Machine

1.Which artist’s work do you find the most interesting?

                                  

I think among those artists' artwork, I love Kazuhiko Hachiya's work most. (The

Inter-Discommunication Machine, 1993).

I think the idea of the artwork is really funny. We see everything from our eyes

and point of view every day. And people always say that sometimes 

we need to stand at other's stance in order to feel what others feel.

This artwork, finally makes the above words come true!

Although, the machines can't let us know what another people feel and

thinking. We can see another people sight. It is really funny. I can imagine

when I wear the machine, how interesting it will be. And I can even see

myself through other's eyes! So unbelievable!

Describe one work by that artist in detail, and explain, what is
interesting about it.

Name of the artwork: The Inter-Discommunication Machine

Artist: Kazuhiko Hachiya

Year of the work: 1993

The above is the basic information about the artwork. It was made by a

japanese artist. Two people need to wear the machine in front of their eyes.

So that they can see another's point of vision. For example, if A looking at a

tree, B would also see the same picture by the machine. Once you wear the

machine, your own point of vision would

be replaced by other.

                                 

                  

(pictures from: http://vimeo.com/7900466)

I think this artwork impressed me a lot. Normally, we can only observe and

use our imagination to think of what other is seeing. And then get our own

picture in our mind. However, Kazuhiko Hachiya created this artwork and

make the picture shown in front of our eyes. The main idea of the work is

to confuse the line between the identities of "you" and "me". Like I stand

here with your vision, and you stand there with my vision.


Then "you" and "me" seem to be dependent to each other.

According to EYEBEAM, (which is a website showing some electronic art.)


it described this work as "allows its wearers to ‘enter’ each other’s body

and perception without being able to influence it."(Inter, 2004). I really agree

with the describtion. After wearing the machines, we can enter into others'

vision without disturbing each other. We can know what other is looking at

or interested in. I control the other one's vision, and vice versa.


I know the artist always concern about the symbiosis between art and


science.(Kazuhiko, 2004).


I think this artwork can truely present how these two elements assist each


other. Use scientific way to present his idea. It is modern and special from


the past artwork I have met.

1. "Inter-Discommunication Machine", 2004, EYEBEAM, retrived from 27 Oct 2010:

http://www.eyebeam.org/projects/inter-discommunication-machine

2. "Kazuhiko Hachiya", 2004, EYEBEAM, retrive from 30 Oct 2010:

http://www.eyebeam.org/people/kazuhiko-hachiya

My Online Identity Biography

I have 5 online identities.

They are Lingnan Intranet account, email accounts, Facbook, MSN and Xanga.

They are slightly different to my in person identities.

For example, I won't use my real name as the person name on Facebook, Xanga and MSN.

I only show part of my information which is not important on the internet, such as hobbies.

Sometimes, I may express my feeling or opinion through these online identities. But for my secrets or

important issues, I won't show it online. I usually being an observer on the internet.

Through these identities, I can also hide my real identity and get qutie a lot of information easily.

I only need to click a few buttons to get those information. Very convenient!

Besides, through identities like Facebook, I can exchange my recent life and situation with my friends.

Although we may work and busy on our own studies and things, we can still keep in touch with each others.

Nonetheless, everything has their good and bad. Online identity may bring some risks to us.

Our personal information may expose easily. If there hackers steal our accounts, they can release some

incorrect and irresponsible comments and words through our accounts.

Also, some people show fake information through their online identity. We may easily confused by these

false information or even cheated by others.

Constructing Identity online

key links:
1.http://www.youtube.com/user/MichellePhan?feature=chclk
2.http://www.michellephan.com/
3.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelle_Phan
4.http://www.mahalo.com/michelle-phan

key books and articles:
1.Millennial makeover: Myspace, YouTube, and the future of American politics
2.Internet power searching: the advanced manual
3.Celebrity Names as Web Site Addresses: Extending the Domain of Publicity Rights to the Internet
(http://www.jstor.org/pss/1600458)

case study: famous Youtube blogger: Michelle Phan's

The maker of the blog: Michelle Phan

When was it released:  18 July 2006

Describe it in detail : 
It is a very popular video blog in Youtube.
The creator, Michelle Phan is a person of mixed blood of America and Philipines
Michelle created the blog at 2006. The blog aim at teaching people how to make up.
She uploads make-up tutorial and beauty tips videos on the blog evenly.
Her video blog is so popular among the YouTube. It is not difficult to find Michelle's
tutorial video on the "Most Viewed" column.
Recently, she even become the online video producer of LANCOME.

Video-sharing sites enchance creative culture!

Do video-sharing sites such as Youtube enhance or worsen creative culture?

I do think that video-sharing sites like Youtube enhance creative culture.
First, these kinds of websites provide a platform for people to share their interests and information. Just like Funtwo, he recorded the rock version of Canon in D and upload the video clip on to the internet. He do not need to get anyone permission to do so. He just set up his materials in his bedroom and play the song freely. (Charles, 2008) Too much procedures would surely limited people's creativity. Websites like Youtube provide a convenient way for people to show their strength and creativity.

With this kind of website, "It almost seems like there are no external boundaries for the creativity of the community" (Roman, 2009) And I really agree with this. As most of the materails from the internet could inspire us. We can also utilise those information fully. It help people to create their own work easily.
Those successful cases encourage public to share their strength and information to others. Like Funtwo and Chris Crocker(Chris,2010).
Even CNN have reported Funtwo's video. And Chris Crocker became a famous internet celebrity after he posted his video called "Leave Britney Alone". This phenonmenon tells us the truth that once you have some great ideas and show it on the internet, you may success or became famous.


reference link:

1. Charles Leadbeater, 2008, "Prologue: The Levelling".
2. Roman Marek, 2009, “Creativity meets Circulation: internet, amateurs and the process of evolution”.
3. "Chris Crocker (Internet celebrity)", 2010, Wikipedia, retrived from 8 Oct 2010:
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Crocker_(Internet_celebrity)

Questions about Funtwo's youtube video

 Canon in D by Funtwo:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjA5faZF1A8

Canon in D by Jerry C. (the original one):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=by8oyJztzwo&feature=related

1.How many viewers are estimated to have watched the youtube video?

 According to Youtube site, there are already 78,824,962 people watched the youtube video

called "Guitar" by Funtwo.

2.   How would you rate the video?

•Is it of high quality in technical terms? Is it interesting aesthetically eg camera angles,

use of light, the narrative, and so on?

I think this video is not in high quality virtually but the quality of the sound is quite good.

I did some research about the player, and i find that actually before Funtwo, there is a person

called Jerry C. who is the original person who play the rock version of "Canon in D". However,

at the end, Funtwo became famous but Jerry C. didn't. Some netizen study why this would

happen, and we can find that Funtwo's video seems to have nothing special. But is it really the

truth? Funtwo did utilised the light:

 We can find that the background of the video is like his

bedroom. There is some sunshine light permeated the room which gives viewers a more

positive feeling to watch the video until the end.

Besides, we can see that the way Funtwo present himself was designed.

 He wear a cap instead of showing his appearence to the public. It provides us with a sense of

mystery. As the video become more popular among the internet, more and more people want

to know his real appearence. Viewers curiosity would be raised which encourage people to find

the real Funtwo. (My Sina Blog ,2006)

Although the quality of the video is not professional virtually, however, I think Funtwo have

think about and designed a way to present himself which is different to others. And that is why 

he could stand out so quickly among others.

  

•Does it raise interesting socio-cultural issues? 

I think it did raise some interesting socio-cultural issues. As I mentioned, Jerry C. is the

original person who arranged the rock version of "Canon in D", Funtwo is the one who follow

Jerry C's version to play the song. Jerry C. is a Taiwanese while Funtwo is a Korean.

We may think that why Funtwo stand out so quickly but not Jerry C? Some people said that

it is because Korean knows how to package than Taiwanese. They may have the same level of

ability, but with better package, of course people would prefer more.

3.   Do you think it deserved the attention that it received from the internet community?

I do think it deserved the attention from the internet community. Although the rock version

of "Canon in D" is not arranged by himself. But we can see that he must put a lot of effort so 

that he can play the song like this. I think most uploders who upload their works on the internet

because they want to have some feedback. Internet is really a good way for normal people like

you and me to show your ability and strength to the public even the whole world, such as 

CNN, The New York Times and National Public Radio have report Funtwo's video (Lim,

2010).

I believe those who have talent and willing to perform their talent to others are worth

appreciating. So, I think he deserve those praise from the internet.

***********************************************************

reference link:

1. "Lim Jeong-hyun", 26 September 2010, Wikipedia, retrived from 6 Oct 2010:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Funtwo

2. "結他界神話延續篇之Funtwo能夠遲來先上岸的原因分析", 6 Nov 2006, My Sina Blog,
retrived from 6 Oct 2010 : 
http://lascowan.mysinablog.com/index.php?op=ViewArticle&articleId=315129

Tradtional filmmaking VS Digital cinema

1)Using “Mission to Earth” as an example, note what is new or different about digital cinema compared totraditional filmmaking? Consider the story and appearance of the film.


According the the "Mission to Earth", we can see quite a difference between digial cinema and traditional filmmaking. Digital cinema is more user friendly compared to the traditional one. As there is much more automatic functions which was set in the digital camera, users only need to press a few button to achieve what they want. Traditional camera have less automatic function, most of the time is depends on the users themselves.
Also, digital camera only need a piece of memory card, than it can record quite a long time. If your memory card have greater GB, you can reocrd longer. If the memory card is full, you only need to put another piece of memory card inside the camera and press the record button again. And we can use software to link the seperated parts again very easily. However, traditional camera need films to record, and there is always a limited period of time. Whenever the film comes to the end, you need to take out the film from the camera very carefully and avoid light. And the break of the record can't link together.
We can recognize that throughout the "Mission to Earth", there are some pause scenes. And this is what would happen when we use traditional camera.
As the "Mission to Earth" is recorded by traditional camera, we could see that there is little close up shot compare to films nowadays. And we can see the quality of the scenes seems less clear than the digital camera.

2)What other art forms (eg film, digital art, painting, websites etc) does this film remind you of? Explain the similarity.

I think the film reminds me of some scenes which is behind the scenes. It is very natural and realistic, we might not know what the actress is waiting or doing for what, however, we could have quite the same feeling or action like the actress. Like walking around the street with no aims, doing nothing at the room.etc.

Although the quality of the scenes is not as high as today films, but "Mission the Earth" is quite down to earth to me.
Also, there is some strange pause throughout the whole film. Everytime this kind of scenes appear, it reminds me of some piece of paintings. It seems that the time of that moment is stop and someone draw a picture for it. It is strange but I think it is quite a special style.

Analog technology VS Digital technology

1) What are some photographic effects that can be achieved using digital or analog (darkroom, film, lights etc) technology?

         With advanced technology, many kinds of photographic effects can be made throught digital camera. For example, we can take black and white or brown photos. We can even adjust some functions to take a photo which only show a particular kind of color and the others color of the photo turn to black and white. "Lomography" is one of the most popular and common function among the new digital cameras.
Besides, there a lot of softwares available on the Internet, which can help us to make a more satisfying photo. For example, we can cut the size of the photo easily through computer. Even if somebody who don't have a high funtion camera, those softwares can help us to adjust photos into vairous types of photographic effects, such as, "Fisheye".

   2) What are some photographic techniques that can only be done using digital technology?

         Only through digital technology, we can cut the size and shape of photos freely which a normal camera couldn't.
Besides, I know some high quality cameras can capture the better quality and color of a scene. However, only through computer software we can show the best quality of the scene. Which means even we have a high quality camera, after the adjusting through computer, photos must be better.
Also, only through softwares could help people to alter the better shape of body and texture of skin of objects. Take advertisement photographs as example, there is always some alterations behind the scenes, such as sharper models' face shape or make models' skin looks smoother. Like the following ANNA SUI's advertisement, I believe the light and the skin of the model must be edited. And those butterfly and purple light were added through software.
(photo's reference link : http://beauty.esdlife.com/uploads/2009/09/20090911-annasui02.jpg)

   3) What is the difference between analog photography and digital photography?

         Although digital photography can produce similar photos like analog photography. But i believe there must be some difference between them. Using analog camera could capture the most natural light from the original scene. Although digital editing could do the similar, the feeling of the photographys would be faker than using analog camera. Here is a analog photograph :

(photo reference link : http://sc.chinaz.com/Files/pic/pic5/b/cstp_23b.JPG)
         We can see that this photo can capture the most realistic part of Hong Kong night street scene,
and the light is very sharp but real. Just like what we could see when we walk around MongKok at night. I believe this is not digital camera could achieve.
         Besides, analog photograph could capture a more detailed photograph than the digital one. As the camera shutter of analog camera is more concentrate.(JJlim, 2010) 
         I think the feeling of using analog camera and digital camera are very difference.
We don't know how the photos would be like until we take the film to develop it. However, we would immediate know what the photos look like when we use digital camera.

(reference link :
JJlim, 31 Aug, 2010 (14:17) comment on PHOTONEWS forum, http://photo.popart.hk/newforum2/archiver/?tid-204311.html)