paper transformation ebook

HW 5.3 - Artist Who Scans - Evan Lee

Evan Lee (b. 1975, Vancouver, BC)  http://evanlee.ca/

Ginseng Root Studies, Evan Lee, 2005

Evan Lee's Ginseng Root Series are scanned images of ginseng roots purchased at the market. The incredible depth and high contrast of these images is achieved by leaving open the lid of the scanner. This gives the inky black background, and that depth of field. The ginseng roots are gnarled and twisted and complicated, by given the space and prominence they get in these scanned images, the roots take on human characteristics. They are anthropomorphic, and each seem to have a character and personality. The particular attributes of scanography really make this project. These ginseng roots would have an altogether different feel and their unique, even quirky appeal would dissipate if merely photographed. 

HW 5.2 - Scanography - The Elements

HW 5.1 - Scanography - Paper Transformation

OA #6 The Birds - redux

(Also shared on Instagram)

OA #1

I commented (as V A) on the following people's digital paintings on their blogs: 

Anita

Jihyun

Carianna

Teny

Casey

Gina

Ava

HW #4 - OA #4

Here is a photo from my everyday neighbourhood experience - it's a typical city scene of a group of pigeons having a delicious meal of some seeds on the sidewalk. I typically see people feeding birds in midtown and more touristy areas, and not in my Harlem neighbourhood, but I thought it was pretty sweet. I took the picture quickly, and close - trying to get some detail of the birds, and their movement and flight. 

Here is the original shot posted to Instagram:

HW 3.1 - E-Etiquette / Netiquette / Dos Don'ts

The delightful website eEtiquette has advice on how to use our tech with others, in front of others, and in the most useful and efficient ways of interacting. It also has a charming analog embroidery theme, sort of the antithesis of a tech aesthetic, combining old school manners with new school ways of interacting. Here are a series of screen caps of my favourite advice from eEtiquette. There is also a game I have heard about and seen articles written about, which is when everyone at a table at a restaurant puts their mobile phones on top of each other in a stack. The first person to reach for their phone to use it must pay for everyone's meal. This is a sure way to prioritize in-person interaction over documentation or online interaction.

Homework 3.2 - Digital Collage/Digital Painting

Collaborative work with Leying Zhang

For this week's work, Leying and I collaborated. We discussed during class how we'd approach the project. Leying wanted to use my "object of technology" I'd brought in - the pencil - as a starting point. We searched for an image we both felt was compelling and used that to begin with for our collage. I showed Leying some basics in Photoshop, which I have some experience with. I also walked her through using a Wacom Bamboo tablet and stylus - I love mine at home so, so much! Leying and I each approached our digital painting differently. Leying experimented with pattern, and different ways of making lines and shading with the tablet and Photoshop. I decided to represent different aspects of New York City - the map of Manhattan, the Skyline as seen from Brooklyn, and the view of trees at Central Park. We layered and layered our work on top of each other to create our final piece.   

HW 2.1 Tech Talk

Our class discussion was really considered, and presented a robust view of technology.

I was really interested in the aspects of technology as related to special education, as there is an incredible connection right now of technology helping folks with special needs perform the tasks they need to. 

I was also really interested in the reactions from the class when I brought up Sherry Turkle's research and writing "Alone Toghether" and the social inspects and implications of technology. I am frequently surprised by my classmates' reactions to technology, as the majority of them are millennials and tech-natives. I would think this would make them far more trusting of technology, and far more enthusiastic about its myriad uses, but rather, there are a wide variety of views, including anxiety and distrust of technology. 

Here is Turkle's TED talk presenting some of her research:

Here is another video, which is both touching and hilarious. In this, Louis CK discusses the difficulty people feel in being alone and sitting with their feelings, and also his experience crying to a Bruce Springsteen song in his car!!

And here is the Boss' song Jungleland:

HW 2.2 On/Off

I had high hopes of running a multi-layered on/off experiment. I had planned to stop using my devices for the purposes for which I use them the most: time management, photos/social media, and communication.

However, when Monday rolled around and I attempted to start my day, get ready for class, and manage my time - as a person without a wristwatch, not using my phone to check the time at least to keep me on task felt very anxiety inducing. So I abandoned this part of the experiment. 

I decided to forego dropping out of communication also, as my sister and family live in another country, and get frustrated or anxious when they cannot get in touch with me. 

I kept to the photo/social media part of this experiment. I decided to not use my camera phone, to not take any pictures with it, nor to take any screenshots, but instead make a small drawing of everything that I would normally take a photo of or screenshot. I kept this to the subjects I would normally photograph, and the images that are stereotypical of social media, and did not seek out things in particular that would relate more to my drawing practice. This experiment was fun. It was a little more time consuming, and potentially performative if drawing in public, but the act of spending this time with my mundane moments and drawing instead of taking a photo felt refreshing and really fun. 

I also cut very small pieces of paper to use for these drawings, approximate in size the the on screen photos in Instagram. I sometimes like to set parameters when setting up a project, to have constraints to work against, or rules to work within. 

HW 2.3 - A Broad View of Tech

I brought in a classic no. 2 pencil as my item of technology. I did this very purposefully, as I wanted to present an expanded, broad view of technology. I was very excited when I saw that several other students had similar ideas!

At one point, the manufactured pencil, with wood, graphite, and eraser, would have been a brand new technological advancement. Likewise, the pencil sharpener as a tool, rather than sharpening a pencil with a knife, would have been a new and exciting advancement.

It is also so interesting to see how, currently, so many different machines and processes are involved in the manufacture of a pencil. 

Our definitions of technology are always changing. They are adapting to our inventions and current cultural climate. We can take time to remember that technology is really anything we use to help us make things or do things, and take a wider look. This helps us include the items which are low-tech as well as what is current, or electronic, or computer based.