Monday, February 11, 2008
Friday, November 03, 2006
FINAL WORK
Dominique's WEBSITE
I was very pleased with the outcome of my work. I believe I gained a great deal of knowledge and scope within the Macromedia Flash software program. I look forward to further honing and developing my ability and online presentation.
WEB PAGE - Presentation
I chose the work of Sebastien Chevrel because I found him to be the true definition of a digital and interactive ‘artist’; he combines his message using technology as a tool that is as seamless as it is unapparent – the focus is on the work, not the medium. This site contains a diverse range of art; installation, interactive, generative and musical. I believe all these elements express the dynamic power of online and digital art. I appreciate the diversity exhibited at this site and the underlying theme – the exploration of electronic communication and art - how one interacts and achieves an online ‘dialogue’ with the observer or ‘user’.
The specific work I chose is entitled ‘You and We’; the work was conceived by Sebastien and Gabe Kean (music by Martin Linde). It is described as a collective experiment because it invites the users to participate in the creation and content of the presentation. Both words and images are contributed to the database and randomly presented. As of November 1st, 2006, 1306 contributors had uploaded 9311 texts and 4147 images into the database. As the images and words change, the contributor’s identities (user names) are referenced. In addition, in the ‘credits’ section an entire listing is recorded.
You and We is an idealist vision of the collective online community; demystifying the concept of artist and observer – a utopian state of free and uncensored expression – largely random and indiscriminate. Each presentation combines text and images offering seemingly limitless possibilities of content and unique, autonomous meaning. The listing of contributors in the credits further highlights this idea of ‘sharing’ accolades.
The work also highlights the scope and the power of the medium – the internet and how it is connecting us all. If you are to observe some of these messages – you find yourself affected by at least one or more presentations. These are not pretentious ‘artists’ that are delivering this message – but ordinary online participants. Personally, I am attracted to the notion of creating art in everyday life – living an expression of art. I am also humble enough not to assume that this is a higher ideal or an elitist activity – that anybody and everybody has the right and responsibility to create ‘art’ – for the enrichment of those around us and those that will follow. The work ‘You and Me’ combines community, interaction and the technology of the age that I find both relevant and inspiring.
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
mac labs r wack
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YEAH - Complete but is it COMPATABLE
I anticipate problems at uni and will endeavour to get there early in case I need to upload. It worked OK earlier. I also havent thought entirely through other platform or cross browser compatibility!!
I am stoked to be where I am .... however sleep derived that may BE!!
2nd year is coming to a close
OVER AND OUT!!!
STATEMENT - Web Manifesto -
Modern computing offers a paradoxical social schema – one that offers an unlimited and immediate experience that is most personal because it is entirely self directed and largely uncensored – the flip side is that sensitive and insecure material can be tracked and monitored (expenditure, downloads, credit card details and passwords). The entire system is always at war – the threat of ‘viruses’ are like macro-environmental forces in this fragile environment.
Computers – are run on bits and bytes – electrical pulses. Everything about the system is intangible and ‘unstable’ – I can think of nothing less secure.
This is the spiel about computers in general – I focused specifically on identity and representing it visually! The precarious and fragile nature of identity = ‘missing persons’; the fickle nature of judgments ‘line up’ – repeated with subtle explanations of their ‘stories’ – one is wanted by the FBI – the other three are ‘missing’!!
Identity is limited in the black and white world of online communication. Interfaces that encapsulate people into categories and the lack of emotive expression may be symptomatic for future generational neurosis (I am hypothesizing here). I look upon it with humour and jest and suggest people do not get too attached to the ‘façade’ that the computer provides. It is as fragile and as tangible as the electricity that pulses through the system – powerful but short lived!
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Forging ON
I am conquering Flash and I understand the interface a little better. I wish my understanding of Actionscript was more up to par!!
My website is combining HTML- Image Ready and Flash.
The computer as a tool is referenced in the begining and represents the Loading sequence.
The concept is playing with the identity one takes on the computer and the 'security' it brings...I am uncertain if the observer will perceive the connection with security - in some cases I have used direct REFERENCE to 'threat' (line - up / target / Ransom note font) and 'Safety' (yellow 'police' tape / secure warnings)!
Each person represents a link and different exploration of the theme.
Figure 1. Will 'target' dating sites - meeting others and breaking down personality into options...I have specifically limited options and put bogus entries

Screen shot of popUP Dating .swf Figure 2. I have also created a puzzle using graphics I have sourced and created also. It is thought that the theme was like Dada photomontage (as previously researched)..I like the idea of street posters...this is a small pop up and has hidden messages! I did use a 'sourced' script for this but thought it was a cool little idea...
Figure 3. I am still working on the 'wall' page!! and will hopefully have it close to finished soon...It will be done in HTML and have interactive components! It will be a pop up also.
Figure 4. Will be a continuation in the flash - opening page! It will follow the theme of line up...
Sunday, October 08, 2006
STORYBOARD I

graphically arresting...

the following is a GIF to give you an idea of the dynamic nature that will be utilised...

I like the idea of changing to a computer image and then having it ask the question "WHO DO YOU WISH TO BE?"


the main page will be the wall of torn paper...and each part will be dynamic...i will talk more about in future blog.
other image ideas...


i can photoshop this to make it look like an ID card & possible font ideas i.e. RANSOM NOTE
LATEST - blurb _ images to follow
The anonymity achieved in the virtual world may allow more freedom to express and present oneself but it also allows a measure of impersonality and unaccountability – unlike our society which is governed by standards and behaviour – the internet is quite a ‘chaos’ derived state. One has to consider the ramifications and influence on society also.
In my experience, people are quite articulate and bold when writing statements or their own thoughts – in letters, notes, chat rooms, blogs. I have encountered quite a few interesting personalities online and I find that sometimes the people that I know ‘online’ are not the same people I know in the ‘real’ world. Often time’s people speak their mind more openly, direct and free without fear of rebuttal – or at least – the rebuttals are palatable and less confronting because the internet allows a level of void less feeling. IT IS THIS CONCEPT WHICH INTRIGUES ME MOST.
We are free to express ourselves and yet we can not CONVEY the emotion that makes us human (not considering emoticons).
What can be expressed and what can not…
SECURITY of REPRESENTATION– both FREE & RESTRICTIVE!
I thought a lot of freedom of expression and the idea of revolt.
As I have previously researched – about DADAism – a lot of the themes were to express the ANTI-establishment – done with photomontage and text. My ideas for the website are heavily influenced by this and also PROPOGANDA poster art – the literal display on a wall…. The idea is to have a page that DYNAMICALLY changes but reveals more and more…like tearing off layers of posters – a metaphor for the personas one adopts in the virtual world.
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
TBC>>>>>>>>>>
To date I have been considering some major concepts....because I did not like the idea I was going with!
At last stage I was going to create a dating site and mess around with the identity options for the profile building section...in this way I would hope to mess around with the concept of anonimity and the security created when builidng relationships or interacting on the net....I found the idea of creating this site frightfully boring and also was unsure if the theme of SECURITY would be interpretted adequately.....therefore I am developing a splash page...I will post my images by the end of the week and give an overview of the concept...I am going with the concept of 'secure' or protected sites.... I have amassed a few images and I will post them.
TBC......
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Passwords of Group Hug

The password screens are as follows…it would be fun to mock up interesting content to the page. I would like to link the statements displayed in the boxes of the passwords with the posts from GROUPHUG This site offers a safe place for people to be anonymous and reveal there inner most thoughts. This idea of security is highlighted most in this site – the concept of HONESTY but also DISHONESTY (because people are totally anonymous). Identity is removed!
Concept concept concept - Show me the IMAGES!!
An amendment to this concept is too add secure passwords and each entry could add text inputted to the artwork…and allow each entry to reveal more layers.
The second idea is to create a page and then capture the page and present in onscreen, like page in a page. The idea is to separate the user from the content – filters and heighten the space between the individual and the tool. The security gained in the impersonal nature of the web and computing in general. Highlight the machine.
The third idea is to have password upon password and each level to create an artwork. The concept is to remove the user from the work, to heighten the idea of security – not securing the information but the securing of the user – i.e. the concept of restriction or containment!
The fourth idea is to have a static functional website, that the more you navigate it, the more you destroy it – it becomes chaos and triggers dysfunction. This aligns with the concept of Dadaism I have been researching.
The concept is underscored by the idea security of the computer, the Internet and how it is changing our culture – creating counter culture. I believe the iconography, as HOME for the homepage of an Internet site would be the conceptual idea of security – most information on the web is NOT secure – viruses prevail and I think exposing this concept as false and incorrect would be fun! Maybe I could rip off a secure site – government / bank / stock exchange. Internet Piracy or Terrorism!
Hmmmm… I have too many ideas and not enough mock – ups / storyboards!