The emotions we reveal to outsiders is very different from what we experience on a day to day basis. We are all vulnerable creatures who have a need to portray that we are superior to our fears. In some ways, this portrayal of being superior makes us survive to actually overcome those specific fears. We all have an innate nature to never show our faults because society dictates that being vulnerable is synonymous with being weak.

But there are moments where we are able to let go of all these false appearances and behaviors to the point where we can experience life as it is. There are stress-free moments among the chaos which we should take advantage of as much as possible.

I use photography to capture these carefree memories because it can single handedly capture a priceless moment. We live our lives in such a rush, we do not take time out to enjoy what is going on without thinking about what’s next. In my work I want to show that no matter how uneventful or stressful our daily lives are, there are blissful moments where we can experience happiness despite the negativity that surrounds us.

Although I have not worked much with digital alterations I’d like to integrate this with more photography as I am learning about Photoshop. I want these effects and manipulations used from Photoshop to enhance the emotion captured through photography to make the audience feel as if they are experiencing the emotions themselves. Capturing happiness and sharing it is what I want to achieve.

When describing the histories of the Analytical Engine and the Jacquard Loom, Ada Augusta says that the Analytical Engine processes algebraic patterns while the Jacquard Loom processes images. Taking both of these processes allows us to generate works of art with minimal effort. We no longer have to rely on drawing or painting on a canvas to capture an image. This idea of projecting mathematical processes and images relates Manovich’s third principle being automation. This principle illustrates that new media integrates both the projection of numbers and of images to create a graphic that allows the audience to view the work in a more meaningful manner. For example, we can now manipulate still images to move in a specific sequence. Manipulation of specific images is generated based on the instructions we input on the program being used. We can also portray images in artificial lighting and add effects such as new shadows and backgrounds to gain aesthetic values and depth that would otherwise be difficult to attain in natural settings.

This idea of combing numbers and patterns to generate new images is what gives us the ability to make animation. For example, we can merge together still images to make a moving picture. We can even take this further to add depth to the image where it would now be shown as a picture with three dimensional variations. Animation for films have greatly improved because the degree of detail has been enhanced over the years. Through this process of automation it allows for the production of a motion picture to look almost as if the objects presented were being filmed rather than artificially generated. Automation is one of the underlying principles of new media because it provides the basis for modern art; we are now able to manipulate different mediums to create works of aesthetic value based on technology rather than physically drawing or sculpting. 

Craig Kalpakjian and his work of showing everyday landscapes in a more specified view relates the idea that we really do not pay much attention to the things we see so often in our daily lives. The “Corridor” is artificially created and thus represents how we completely ignore our surroundings on a daily basis. The idea of depicting everyday views through this artificial rendering provides a controversial outlook on our modern society; we do not “lookup” from our electronics enough to appreciate the natural beauty around us. The lack of emotion depicted in the “Corridor” extends the idea that we do not have a real emotional connection to anything outside of the screens on our smartphones and other devices. We are so focused on what goes on in cyberspace that we miss out on what is tangible in front of us. Technology is changing and becoming more and more dynamic, but our physical world is deteriorating. When the view of a plain corridor is taken out of context, for example in studying the work of Kalpakjian, we are only then able to focus more on something specific to the point where we start taking in details that we would otherwise just pass off as being “normal” or just pass by without thinking into it. But other than studying the work of an artist, when do we ever take the time out to appreciate the physical surrounds affecting our daily lives. We go from point A to B focusing more on getting to our destination on time rather than enjoying the journey. So when we look at an empty corridor as the one similar to the “Corridor,” it shows that our surroundings have an unemotional appeal to them so much that it seems almost mysterious due to the lack of interaction and appreciation. 

Going into the library for class, I thought we were bringing plastic items for the artists to make a sculpture to represent an idea of recycling to save the environment. But when the artists started to speak, I realized that it was more than collecting items for creating a sculpture. The New Media space in the library was something that I never paid much attention to because it was never explained to me before. I learned that there was more to the plastics we use in everyday life. When we were in the room together as a class, it surprised me that majority of the class did not recycle on a daily basis. Most of the time I recycle my paper, plastics, and bottles because there are convenient bins at home and school, so I thought that having the recycling receptacles around school would encourage people to use them as it does for me. I think that we should be more conscious of the garbage we accumulate so that we can benefit in the future by recycling the waste we create.

The use of plastic is beyond just acting the role as our water bottle silverware. The artists explained that there were many different types of plastic. I knew that there were different forms of plastic but I learned that each material had its own specific attributions which are used in various products. For example, the plastic bottles vary in their chemical makeup because some bottles are more flexible than others. Being able to take part in the exhibition of The New Media space created this sense of belonging because I can show others contribution to the exhibit as well as explain to my friends what was going on in the space. I would like to have this opportunity of interacting with more artists so learn about different perspectives of New Media.

The media is an extension of our selves. Progress is rapidly approaching where the impact of technology is now precedent in our daily lives. The image below relates the idea portrayed by McLuhan that the rising technology is becoming second nature to us. Just as we have adopted language to communicate and become civilized, we have now adhered to the customs of new media to stay in touch and gain information. The image below shows that this new technology is becoming part of our identity. Our individuality does not come across to others as it once was; who we are in the media is different from who we are in real life. Technology also creates a lack of physical interaction. Relationships are formed through cyberspace and memories are shared via the “cloud” instead of meeting face to face with others and experiencing moments in real time.

This is a test. This is a cool view of the sunset.