The age of radio

I enjoyed exploring the website www.otr.com especially "Comedy Central." When I was done acquiring some background information I contacted my Gramma, who was 12 when she heard the Orson Welles'- War of the Worlds broadcast. She wouldn't admit to being afraid, but quickly threw a few others under the bus.

After discussing the impact radio had on my Gramma I was still somewhat surprised. She really impressed upon the point that radio was truly the only source of not only news but also entertainment. It's one thing to listen to a documentary about it, it's another thing to hear a first hand account of what life was like in the age of the radio. She told me how after a long day attending a catholic school, she'd be outside playing until it was time to come inside for dinner. The radio wasn't allowed to be listened by anyone other than her father until after dinnertime. She spent her nights as a single child sitting around the radio with her parents until it was time to go to bed. Hearing these experiences is really shocking to me! Life without the television and computer seems so distant to me, because it is.

Wired NextFest 2008

As I explored the Wired NextFest 2008 web page I found myself intrigued with the concept of the "human car." With all the talk about the world going 'green' I think it's very important for there to be other options in automobile traffic. The human car which is priced at about $15,000 takes the idea of rowing and puts it into movement on land. After viewing a brief video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwrXdsFUmRQ I think the human car is a unique idea, yet falls short of reality. It is completely unsafe to drive on a main road, especially with all the other enormous SUV's that are out there. The only think protecting you is your helmet. I mean c'mon lets be realistic.

The next thing I found compelling was the new technology brought about by EA Sports. The Hoops Interactive Kiosk was invented for the player to get a one-on-one feel with the NBA star Dwyane Wade. A "prototype, Spectrum uses DynaScan's 360-degree walk-around display to let users interact with a photo-realistic recreation." Sounds pretty technical, but very cool. It could be the next big idea for the world of video games.

The web page http://www.wirednextfest.com/inform/2008/exhibits.php was really interesting. It truly shows how technology is constantly created and more often improved upon. The future is an unknown world that is just waiting to be explored.

A Clockwork Orange

Wow! Where do I begin...

After watching Stanley Kubick's 2001-A Space Odyssey I could see how his mind truly took full advantage of what would become in the future. He displayed somewhat outrageous, yet funny possibilities for technology. Between the space plane, grip shoes, and even the accessibility of calling from space, the movie truly displayed huge jumps for technology.

Yet, this movie was not what caught my eye. My full attention was directed towards Kubick's film A Clockwork Orange, which was released in 1971. First off, it was totally not what I had expected after viewing 2001-A Space Odyssey. It was an absolutely brilliant, very edgy film. Yes, some of the violence became excessive and explicit, but the idea behind the film was perfect in comparison to the timing it was released. As most know or have heard of the 70's as the age of experimenting. Drugs were EVERYWHERE, which made this film fit right in. Having never personally been on acid, LCD, or anything of that sort I can't understand all that is behind the film, so in the beginning I was hesitant to actually enjoy the purpose behind the film. The very graphic scene where the men break into the home showed a true form of art, by incorporating the skit "Singing in the rain" which dated back 20 years prior. Overall, I would have enjoyed viewing the entire movie, so possibly I'll rent it? I found it similar to the modern day film Requiem for a Dream which is also brilliant!

Looking into Damien Hirst

Strange, yet brilliant. While I was uneasy in viewing Damien Hirst's renowned masterpieces, I found a true appreciation to how he connects Biology to art to beautifully. His works are first of all enormous and so mind-boggling it's hard to understand what was going through his mind while he was making them all. I would have to consider Damien Hirst not only a unique artist, but a scientist as well. When I saw his piece "Hymn" which he produced in 1996, I felt as though I was back in a biography class. I also found the cow production interesting. I liked the way he left the inside open so whomever is viewing the piece can actually see inside. He gives an artistic view to real life biology.

However, Hirst's piece, "For the Love of God," more commonly known as the the 100,000 dollar skull by far is my favorite. It is absolutely amazing. When I first saw it I was mesmerized by how skilled one would have to be to attach so many tiny diamonds to a human skull. When I researched online it said that the skull was studded with 8,601 diamonds!!!!!! When I was admiring pictures I actually found something quite amusing. Someone took Hirst's idea and covered a skull in ice cream sprinkles. Check it out.... http://www.augengallery.com/Artists/Riswold/damien_hirst.jpg

Hirst is truly one of the most bizarre, yet key catching and thought provoking artists I've seen.

Media choke-hold

It was truly interesting to see how film started to become a method of recording reality. It wasn't until the devastation of the 1906 San Fransisco earthquake that America was able to understand devastation through film. Yet, on the other hand Professor Echeverry brought up a very interesting point, which we still deal with today. Historical documents are recorded through the point of view of the one who holds the camera. I really thought that this point was well taken. American media today is infected with so many different points of view that it's almost ridiculous. Take for instance the current political rally between Obama and McCain. You can't even turn the television on without being persuaded how awful the other candidate is. It is quite frustrated to a spectator to American television, because we are ultimately at the mercy of the stations. One show that comes to mind in particular for being quite judgemental is the O'Reilly Factor on Fox News. Anyone who is familiar with Fox News knows that it is a very right-winged based broadcast. O'Reilly is a such a strong republican it's almost to the point of the viewer just wanting to say shut up. If you're not a republican your point pretty much doesn't matter. One of the biggest challenges one will face is to think on their own, and listen to both side of media, not just one. Don't let the media decide your thoughts.

The importance of music

Music makes the world go 'round...

The Blacksmithing Scene which debuted in the year 1893, was the first short film that added music to it. And boy did it make a huge difference. Questioning why they were using realtime music during the movie can easily be answered that it was the progression of technology. Yes, the black and white film was nothing special, just three men hammering on an anvil while passing a bottle of beer around. However it was technologically savvy because of something that had never been previously used- music.

Below is the link of the Blacksmithing Scene. Yes, it's simple. But it was the beginning of a progression of what we can all appreciate now. Film with sound has truly evolved throughout the past 100 years.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qZa-RLtCU0

What an Opera paper...

DONE!!!! That is all I've got to say after writing a three page SINGLE SPACED paper about opera! What a challenge! I didn't know where to begin or end, but now that it's done it feels rather nice. Aida was my opera of choice, well somewhat. The man in the library actually told me to check it out, and since I had no idea about any other type of operas I figured why not? It was challenging to watch because of the subtitles, I really just can't get past that to sit and enjoy an opera. Maybe I'm just more of a Broadway type of person?

Anyways, thankfully were done watching operas in class and now get to watch films about Broadway which I love!!!! The film documentary Broadway- The American Musical has been truly intriguing to watch. It is obvious that sex sells, but I was shocked at how much of an impact sex had even back in the early 1900's! The pace of change for women was what really took me by surprise. Eight short years and these women were wearing two completely different styles of clothing. It was like a whole new woman! It wasn't just dress either, it was they now smoked drank and even had shorter hair! Everything about these women had changed.

Another part of the film I found interesting was how "black faced" performers. The idea that white men would paint their faces black and speak with ridiculous southern accents to caricature black culture. All because black men were not allowed on stage. Oh how the times have changes. It seems like now it's rare to see white people on stage.

The film was really informative and taught me a lot of not just the history of Broadway, but some history of the culture in New York City.

Because Grease is one of my favorite plays on Broadway I'll leave you all with this...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fs8ggb_XMh4

Opera again... can all find an appreciation?

After reviewing my notes from Tuesdays class and posting late I've found myself with so much more to say after today's class. It has been hard for me to locate this 'technology' that is consistently revealed, because my immediate thought about technology isn't completely accurate. Yet beyond the Internet, television, etc. opera revealed many different forms of technology. These forms included: what was part of the setting, the decor used, and especially the lighting. As I began to appreciate the technical aspect of the opera, I could better appreciate what was occurring throughout the act. In the opera Lucia there were exuberant costumes, the set was amazing, and the lighting went perfectly with what was being depicted. It's truly shocking how someone can extend their vocals so unbelievably without a microphone. Once again it's all technique!

I found myself interested how the operas have evolved throughout the 19th century all because the cultural changes. Sigmund Freud the "father of psychology" made it more acceptable to let the mind travel more broadly. World War I took away the "ideal" and romanticism of war, leaving behind the reality of hard times and death. It is true to say that opera permeates through pop culture, yet those my age actually be willing to understand this significant part of historic culture? Personally, I would say no. Yet, would you disagree?

First viewing of opera

WOW! I didn't expect to be viewing so many different types of opera. Having never viewed it before it was somewhat challenging to find interest in what was going on. I found myself somewhat confused as to what exactly was going on because of the different language the dialogue/singing was in. However, I did find myself intrigued in the opera Farinelli, because my immediate question was why the hell is a man playing a woman, and singing much better than any other woman I've ever heard?! Learning that, during this time period, men were castrated at a young age just to be able to put on an amazing show at the opera. I was truly amazed! Farinelli does portray to be the first true DIVA!

As the class proceeded I found the technology to be quite astonishing! "Deus ex machinae" (God's from the machine) was so unbelievable to watch. At the time there were so many challenges which faced these "behind the scenes people" yet they were able to put on a terrific show to the audience. One of my favorite parts of the opera Vatel was when tragedy strikes behind the scenes, yet the audience is left with nothing but joy. This truly revealed that the world is a stage, and not everything we see is true.

Until the next class... opera is confusing, yet beautiful at the same time...