Coming To An End

     Well, the semester is coming to a close and I gotta say, I have learned and gone through so much. It has changed me in so many ways and I love every second of it! I'm definitely going to miss this class and the students in it! We had a great year! I had a lot of fun learning about broadway and the advances in technology and performances that it has undergone over the years. From it's racist days to the many creative musicals it has created, it was great to learn about something I really like. It was even better to learn more on something I really love too which was animation. Seeing a more in depth look into Disney's studio and the teams they had was really cool! And the guy who created a lengthy hand drawn animation by himself was impressive! And I can't forget about the history of music. Seeing how genres cultivated into sub-genres and expanded different styles was awesome because I got to see the beginnings and how it adapts over time. This class has definitely gave me a more open mind when it comes to art and all different types of it. Never have I thought I would get into Operas! I built a greater appreciation for something that I use to hate before this class! Definitely gained knowledge in many different areas and that will carry on with me through the rest of my art career!

Video Art

     For my video art project I mostly wanted to try and make a story out of it. Back in high school, I used to make short youtube videos with my friends where we would come up with stories and usually try cool effects with the software. Using the effects again reminded me of how cool they are once you learn how to use them! I cam up with a story of me taking advil because I wasn't feeling good and dealing with side effects. All medicines come with side effects right on the label but when on earth do they ever happen? Never! But.... what if they did?? That was what I was thinking of, what if the advil put me in another state of mind just seeing colors, reflections of myself and tons of other random things and noises. The sounds were pretty much to make it sound like I was insane, little things I put together on Garageband which added to the insanity. Of course everything I'm seeing is only for me to see. What everyone else sees me doing is having a mini seizure! I kept going back and forth between reality and my mind to also explain what drugs do. You have a whole different perception that what people perceive you as. Of course this is a real stretch but yeah. Anyways this was a fun thing to work on and just got me used to the editing again.

Chip E. and the Origins of Breakdancing

     Break dancing is a type of street dancing that can date back to the origins in New York City from the 1970s. Since it's origins, it has spread worldwide  to many different countries and has become quite the talent if you are able to do it because me for sure could never be able to lift myself up and spin without my legs ever hit the floor! The music is associated with hip hop and is still done today as you look at any type of hip hop music video and look at the choreographed music, it's all hip hop. Chip E. was a DJ and music producer that supported break dancing and created tracks that would influence the dance. He would spin hip hop records that would get people to dance and adapt to the changes in the songs. Also the craziest thing about break dancing is that it can literally be done anywhere! Including those moving subways.

Music Got Me Movinnnnn

     Since middle school I have probably went through every single music faze out there. I am so open to music and always make sure to listen to every genre because I usually find my new favorite songs out of it. Discussing music movements in class got me remembering some of my favorites over the years!

Deadmau5

     They were thrown into culture on the list but they are definitely progressive house music. Of course he is from Canada but still, the music definitely fits the house genre and he has created tons of music that can be heard at raves and parties because he is able to get people into his music. The beats he creates range and he is a guy you rarely see without his signature mouse mask. He also got Shigeru Miyuamoto to autograph his arm and then later got it tattooed. That makes him ten times cooler that he takes inspirations from video games.

The Cranberries

     A 90s Irish rock band that is still relevant in this days music. There music is able to touch me in ways not much music can mostly cause Dolores O'Riordan has a beautiful voice. Usually guys don't listen to music sung by girls but no one can deny they have released great songs! I wish there were more bands like this instead of the pop we have today.

Radiohead

     Another amazing 90s band and it is still one I listen to today and it's great because they are still around! Although they are a rock band, they have added a lot of experimental elements into their songs putting it into a league of their own. Rolling Stones even rated the 2nd best artist of the 2000s.

Vitamin String Quartet

     Literally just started listening to this group today! That is super strange. They are a gifted violinist group that remixes songs from any genre. They actually come out better than the real versions! They create the beats and lyrics all through the violins. There are no lyrics but they are able to create the sound through the strings. They are my new study playlist and show that the violin is still a work of art!

Hatsune Miku

     Anyone who doesn't call this music is crazy! Hatsune Miku is a Vocaloid created by the Japanese which people are able to program in lyrics and and the way they are sung. Even though it is not a real voice, it sure does sound like it. Since then, Miku has become a pop icon in Japan and is slowly making  it's way around the world. It is a revolution in technology and music itself knowing that people aren't the only ones to sing. She has spawned many video games too on the Playstation family and came out with one in the US last year. The games are decent but it's the music and the Vocaloids that sell it. I really need to go to her concert!

Brion Gysin

     Brion Gysin is a painter that has work that I can say I've never seen anything like it! He created calligraphic works that mashed words together where you had to really look to see the message he was saying. Simple pieces with yet a lot of meaning behind them that inspired me. He also created the dream machine that had flickering art work inside that put you into a trance, like a sober trip. It is an invention that many of us have seen before remade and you may not even realize it. It's a cool idea that definitely gives me a better appreciation. His work, yet simple, really inspires me to try more calligraph pieces. I have done them before but I think after seeing his work I would like to do some with some meaning behind them! Here are a few examples of my favorite works from him.