Machinima Progress

I'm still working on the hair, but here is an updated version of the Forrest Gump avatar:

We have all the locations and just need to work on filming the rest of the scenes, which we will get done this week so we can work on editing over the weekend. More to come!

"Videogames and Art" Introduction - Discussion questions

The following discussion questions are derive from the introduction to "Videogames and Art". The book can be found here: http://www.amazon.com/Videogames-Art-Intellect-Andy-Clarke/dp/1841501425

1. The writer talks about video games focusing on mechanics rather than aesthetics, and then goes on to discuss whether commercial video games in themselves are art. Do you believe that commercial video games can be considered art just as much as other types of video game art that uses these commercial games as their basis? The writer doesn't believe commercial games - in their entirety - can be considered art even if there are aesthetic art qualities to it. Do you agree or disagree with this claim?

2. Video game artists have to power to create their galleries fully within a game space, which would eliminate cost of showing art in a physical gallery. The intro talks about installation art being entirely entirely within the computer, and only gave benefits of this kind of idea. Do you find any shortcomings with this type of online-computer-gamespace only location?

3D Model - Climate Apocalypse

I altered my model a bit more to make her look a bit more futuristic rather than coming from the 90's. I added some robotic armor to her, as well as an umbrella hat to protect the sun rays from her head, rather than purley eye protection. I'm hoping to soon print the model.

Machinima project - Art 381

Movie: Forrest Gump

Scene:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISJ0VsnCvDo

We started developing our characters and choosing different locations to shoot the scenes in the clip. The first avatar we wanted to focus on was the star, Forrest Gump. We took a picture of the actor, Tom Hanks and imported that into the skin template for Second Life. We adjusted the facial features and hair to appear more like the actor. Here is the first attempt:

We also started scouting some locations. Here are the some screen shots:

More progress to come

Climate Apocalypse! - Art 451

Will our world survive the effects of global warming? When pigs fly!

Well here they come soaring up and away from the land surface destruction we created through our own ignorant neglect.

Not just a saying anymore, this flying pig it is your rescuer from the melting ice caps, ghastly hurricanes, and scorching ground temperatures. So throw on some shades, enjoy a nice mojito, and enjoy the breeze flowing through your hair as your trusty winged farm animal takes you to the only place left after global climate apocalypse – up in the sky!

Week 1 Progress

Final Project - Live Forever

My final art project is entitled "Live Forever" and is a combination of animation as well as the program Eyecon. Here is an example of the finished animation, without the sound:

The project is set up in the stairwell of the CFA building, and walking up the stairs looks something like this:

This project is a compilation of four different aspects of my life merging together. I've taken images I've either created or found that represent Home, Spirituality, Relationships, or Music, and made 4 different animations to each. I used the Eyecon software to create the sound for my project. In this way, the viewer in a sense can choose what they want to hear as they view my work. The project is a self representation of myself but also has an element of interactivity so the audience can semi-control the project.

Artist Lecture - Manuel Alfaro

On Thursday, May 3, Reno artist Jose Manuel Alfaro gave a lecture at the Church Fine Arts about his current exhibition titled “Death, Drugs and La Linea” showing in the Sheppard Gallery. Alfaro is a Mexican-American artist who works in the theme of Chicano political art. He is mostly inspired by three types of artwork, including ancient Aztec art, Muralist, and Chicano Muralist. Alfaro compares the ancient Aztecs to current Narco culture of Mexico. In both cultures, violence is prominent and they have a preoccupation with warfare, expansion of territories, agriculture, and domination over others. The cartels today see themselves as Aztec warriors, and glorify death and the killing of others in their culture. To Alfaro, his art is a way of illuminating the problem of drug cartels and corruption in Mexico that many people are unaware of. He believes that his art can bring forth social issues and can have an impact on people who see his art. In contrast, Alfaro also showed a mural he painted at Lincoln Park Elementary School. This mural showed a young girl on the far left side, and as you moved right the painting progressed through the stages of her life until graduation. This mural is far from the political art Alfaro worked on for his exhibition, and the theme is much more light and happy. Alfaro said that he enjoyed doing both works, because “Death, Drugs and La Linea” brought attention to a real social problem in Mexico, and the mural made him feel good when people stopped to look and take in the whole painting. Alfaro’s exhibition will be showing through May 11 at the Sheppard Gallery.