4/3 Digital photography and connection with children :

Artist Ben Heine, I referred in another assignment, In his artworks, the combination of two types of material, picture and pencil & paper, breaks the limitation of presentation of the two mediums. I think his artwork is a great example to demonstrate digital photography as an art piece.

In general, the digital tools like photoshop, or any other kind of photo editing softwares grant the  artists to the capabilities to edit the raw pictures, such as adding lights, cutting out disturbing elements  or just beautifying the personage. Pictures look flawless afterwards, which has much richer texture and more flavorful than original ones.   

Because of these fancy functions in the photo editing softwares, taking and editing pictures can be playful for children. It is also a great way for kids to learn and explore the world around them. Parents can buy a cheap durable camera for their kids, and ask them to shot anything they think interesting. For young kids, after outputting the pictures they took, parents can sit together with them to recognize all the objects and colors on the pictures. Those pictures can also serve as canvas, where parents can assist kids to draw or decorate the pictures. Parents can also ask kids to tell a story about the pictures while they are working on editing them. Kids can use their imagination to amplify the scenes they created which will help develop their creativity and communication skills.  

4/1 Two ideas about the picture - part 1

1. I randomly took a picture of a historical giant instant camera in Mayer’s lab during the class and I thought it looked really cool. Camera is a marvelous tool to catch moments and memories, while itself sometimes can be a piece of art as well. I am really curious and want to find out what people can do with these old cameras besides setting them on the shelves.  I searched online, found a few interesting designs. Check it out the most unexpected places to find the out of mode instant cameras…lol

2. Traditionally, we always think camera can only catch the objects in front of your eyes, and cannot be more than that. While, can I mix pictures with paintings which can present whatever in your mind and doesn’t have to be realistic? Since I am not good at painting, I found an artist who did exactly what I wanted to achieve. His name is Ben Heine, here is his peronal site: http://www.benheine.com/projects.php# .   He blends photography and pencil sketches to create imaginary scenes. A sense of humor has been added, which makes the synergy from both side strong and stimulating. The mixed medium, created by the artist’s hand, represents the rich connections between viewers, artist and artwork,  which presents a very delightful view.  
 

Ebook - Camera

3/2 Reading Reflection - New Opportunities for Interest Driven Arts Learning in Digital Age

In Kylie Peppler’s  article “New opportunities for interest-driven arts leaning in a digital age” (2013), the author raised couple points really resonated with me.  Like we discussed in the class, digital tools provide learners new ways to interact with art.  With the tools, learners can think wild, conceptualize their imagination and put something on the screen by using elements from the Internet or manipulating different shapes and patterns in the software. 

The Internet upgrades the experience to another level. Through the social network (blogs, FB etc.), their art works can be shared effortlessly. The social media also creates a great platform for learning and participation. Teachers can use Internet with other technology tools to not only present the art works, but also ask student to critique or create art works collaboratively.  I believe the process will forester more creative and novel ideas, even different forms of art pieces. The digital technologies not just add a fun layer to learning and teaching, but transformed how and what learners can learn and create.

Flash back to my learning objectives; one of them is to know more about how technology helps art innovation.  I really think technology will be a strong boost to art innovation in the new age, in both creation and presentation. Think about, technology breaks the limitation of hands and canvas; camera can be our eyes, mouse is the new pen, webpage is the new canvas. The possibilities are endless.

3/1 Collage - The Cool Yoga

Collage 

For this week assignment, we made a collage about yoga poses, 

The cool yoga tries to express: girls can dream big, show strength and present their body confidently. I was inspired by Coldplay's new music video Up and Up, which presents a fascinating view of a surreal adventure. 

The old fashion way to find a book in the library - Part 2

My mental progression

The first picture, describes the feeling I have when I faced the wall of books and tried to find the right book. I missed the convenience that, via computer, I can type  the key word of book title to find the it.  

The second one describes the craving I have about the Internet. My mind couldn’t think about anything else but Wifi.

The third one describes the frustration. The rough edges represent a little anger and tiredness of searching a book, shelves after shelves. One big wifi sign represents that I think using technology is the most efficient way to search books.

The old fashion way to find a book in the library - Part 1

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Photo taken @ Butler Library Columbia University 

Under the encouragement of this week's assignment, I turned off my electronic devices for some time during the day.  I chose to go to the library to study, which I thought it would be a pretty "safe" thing to do without the Internet. When I got to the library, I realized that I didn't have one of the books I need for the assignment.  So I tried out an off-line experience of searching a book in the library.

I was told by the librarian that I should be able to find any books by searching for author's last name, and his(her) books will list on the index card with the call number to locate the book.  I was trying to find Scripts, Plans, Goals and Understanding by Schank, R. C.(1977). Fellowing her instruction, I went to room 310 in the Butler library and found out the wall of drawers of " Names and Titles". It was not hard and rather quick to find the drawer contains "Schan", but I couldn't find the specific author I was looking for. The librarian explained that since the "manual system" have not been using for very long time, it was possible to have index cards outdated or missing.

I started to miss my computer and feel stuck and have nothing to do. After 40min, I turned my computer back on and felt alive again.. ; )

Reading reflection on program or be programmed

Rushkoff raised couple interesting points in his book Program or be Programmed (2011).

The evolving technology has diminished the traditional concept of time and space. The net empowers people to communicate with each other without limitation of space and time. People don't have to wait for months to see their family and friends. Search engines will present the results to you within couple clicks, no matter if you try to find a book published in the 50's or the explosion happened in Chelsea the other day.  The digital technologies also fostered asynchronous communication. People don't have to be at the same place or same time to carry out a conversation, which gives people the luxury to think through what we should say or response. 

However, on the other hand, the smartphones and other portable devices start to push the information popping out in front of our faces, the email notification and instant messengers provoke us to think it is our responsibility to reply right away. People may feel forced to do multiple things in a short time frame. Unfortunately, the faster responses  don't exchange for more intimacy but the poorer quality of communication. 

I always think if we become happier with the help of technology? What did we do with the time saved by using all kinds of technical tools?  I am sure people can get a mixed feeling of benefiting and suffering. I think it is necessary to reminder to stay off for some time on a daily basis. Just like one of the 101 etiquettes suggested: A real person always has priority over a device and deserves your full attention.

To control or to be controlled

The growing movement for free knowledge fosters a series of open collaboration website such as Wikipedia. It empowers users to act both as readers and editors. When you try to make critical decisions by using information on Wikipedia, you may want to trace down the source and authority. Don't trust anything you see.

Social media can make the world smaller, but sometimes it also separates people further apart even they sit on the same table.

Use technology as a tool to assist your communication, not to be controlled by it.