Breaking Free - Video Art Piece

As the making of this video progressed, I thought about how Art and Entertainment have been used in protest and how much of our ideas and support of "freedom" is expressed in this non-violent medium.  With that in mind, I hope you enjoy my video.  Remember to always be kind to yourself and others.   It doesn't cost anything but the rewards are great!

Unchained - Free2Bme

This is the link to my performance video based on a poem that I had previously written.  The poem "Locked Up" was inspired by my experience with people who are afraid to open up to their emotion because of fear.  Experience has taught me that in order to experience joy, one must be open to pain and anything less than that is not living, just simply existing.  Don't let life pass you by watching others live.  Turn off the TV and the computer and get out and feel the joy, feel the pain, experience it all.  Discover the unique jewel that you are and be the best you.  Someone is waiting to share your experience with you.

Performance Videos

Last night was an exciting experience and fun to watch the class in their performance videos.  There were varied reactions from the public depending on whether they knew they were being videotaped or if the camera was hidden.  The videos seemed to be divided in two groups.  One group that was obviously inspired by personal experiences and another group that was artistically inspired but also included a less obvious personal aspect.  For example, Robert's performance at the bus stop bench was his personal experience so he seemed a little reluctant to intrude in the public space of others.  However, in Brittany's Online Dating option performance, she performed and did not let the public space affect her performance.  Similar performances such as Michael's, Thao's and Austin's invited the public to view a "performance."   The videos such as mine, Keri Jo's, Nick's and Marco's seem to be more of an outward expression of personal experiences.  Overall, I loved the entertainment and shock value of all of these videos especially the Aneiska's gunpowder special fire/smoke effects that created such an awesome final result.   Kudos to Martin for getting evicted from the mall and special mention to Thao for an originality that only she can bring to the class.

Favorite Flash Mobs

Second Fav - MC Hammer Flash Mob-we all love Hammer time

 

Third Fav - Anti-Bully Flash Mob - Beautiful and inspirational - love the song

Singing in the Rain 1951-1971

It was reported that the rape scene which featured "Singing in the Rain," was entirely improvised but Kubrick took special efforts in portraying a total lack of empathy in the character, even so far as to suggest the dance jig.  It had been a twenty year span since the original song was made in a time when life had a more carefree attitude and plays and operas was created to lift spirits.   Since that time, there had been several wars including the Vietnam War in 1964 and the Korean War in 1950.   Other events that lead to the change in attitude of the general audience was Communism and the Cuban invasion, the Civil Rights Movement and other unrests in Russia, China, South Africa, Britain, France, Egypt and Libya.   Even the Catholics were in dispute with the Protestants.   Gone was the veil of carefree ignorance as radio and television would expose the ugly reality.  This reality was the basis of many of the early humanitarian movements that culminated in the early 1970s.

 

 

Coding Computers - Changing the World

More people should learn to code computers.  Learning code when you are younger is like learning a new language, it is much easier to incorporate into your daily life.  If coding classes are provided in the school system, it will give more opportunity and motivate more children to broaden their career choices – where they can make changes to help others or simply to use math and scientific aptitudes in a fun way while creating endless possibilities and contribute to changing the world around them.   My experience in computer history has given me a knowledge that resulted in an open mind and better understanding of technology driven changes over the years.  I find that many older people often fear these changes because they don’t understand them.  Although coding is not something I would want to do, being able to understand the concept and what drives the operations of everyday users is very valuable.   I was among the first trained users of the PC when I attended business college in 1984, however, it is only looking back that I can see the importance of having that opportunity at that time.  Because computers are being used in almost every type of equipment both for industry and entertainment, the demand for trained coders is even more greater if we are going to stay current with our steadily changing world.  

Kill - Is Videogames to Blame?

Violent videogames are often blamed for desensitizing young people of today.  It is interesting how these games are easily accessible to many young children who, in my opinion, have not had a chance to develop a mind to understand what is real or not real.  Videogames are entertaining but they can also be addictive and because they actually require interactive participation, the experience will make a bigger impression on one's mind. 

On the other hand, if someone becomes addicted to the thrill of videogames, there is a danger that other necessary skills will not get developed.   As a parent, I believe in balance and in protecting a young person from information that they are not fully mature enough to handle, however, this is not an easy task.   I also believe that there are benefits to videogames as the technology are great in teaching valuable skills that are necessary in today's world.   This same technology is also creating a more stressful environment of instant gratification so there is no down time and decisions made under pressure usually comes from what is already in our thoughts,  So if we feed our young people violence and give them no real life alternatives to deal with this pressure, they will respond with violence because that is all they know.  So, whether violent videogames are to blame or not, I would agree that we live in a world that is desensitized to violence and acceptance/justification has now overshadowed the consequences.