Norman White: We Fix Toasters

Comically, and poignantly, White's work exudes the true sense of art in this post on Networked Performance. The intent seems to be to create whimsical gadgetry out of ordinary objects, hence the title of the series. White describes himself as an 'expert in doing things the wrong way', and values displaying his creations in places not normally expected, as in, places where art 'should not be' in the eyes of the casual observer.

From my perspective, I can't tell whether it's more appropriate to laugh or ponder at inventions such as a "helpless robot" who ends up being a complete jerk, and a demanding one at that! Moreover, robots performing noisy sexual acts or, one other piece involving a mechanical eye popping out of a painting leave one to wonder where this inventor gets his crazy ideas. Regardless, it is quintessentially creative, and his choice to display these machinations in the oddest of places leaves one with a feeling of high regard for this artist motivated so strongly by the desire to create.

For more information, check out White's Art.

Brian Knep: Exempla

In a half-depressing, half-enlightening commentary on contemporary society, Knep uses cartoonish drawings projected onto walls to make statements about how he sees the world. From Turbulence, The pieces are more about futility than emergence. The works use child-like drawings to examine the illusions that drive us, in a humorous way. The creatures, with their huge, exaggerated faces and skeletal legs, are caricatures of the endlessly cycling everyman. You can find the original story here.

I appreciate the type of artwork that simultaneously laughs at itself and at the people around it, though often I find that it is much more palpable to laugh with others, it is undeniable that there is a great social impact to laughing at ourselves now and then. This undertaking seems to exemplify that attitude, and is therefore worth at least some attention. Hopefully Mr. Knep will achieve his desired result, despite the dreary nature of the meaning behind these works being rather somber, and pensive. More information can be found on Knep's work at his website.

Anybody with the following conditions should not attend ZEE: photosensitive epilepsy; asthma, breathing and heart problems; abnormal blood pressure; migraine & headaches; all kinds of eye & ear diseases; claustrophobia or anxiety. Pregnant women are also advised to refrain from attending. Or so reads the Turbulence Post about one Kurt Hentschläger's half-installation, half immersive experience, and half something I can't put my finger on. This artist uses light and shadow with fog to create a dramatic personal experience, not for someone who could even be called a viewer, so much as a participant.

This display/installation pushes the bounds of what art is, it takes a normally passive experience and turns it into something engaging and dynamic. I think that pulling the viewer into the work in this way is exceptional, and that more art of this form would be welcome in a world where so much of what we do and see can sometimes reach a state of monotony. I hope that art like this is well-received, as it shows a daring on the part of the artist that is worthy of some respect indeed.

More information can be found on this artist at http://www.kurthentschlager.com/

Virtual Choreography in Second Life

In this Choreography has always been a fundamental medium of artistic communication throughout the ages. Today, may I direct your attention to a more futuristic, and perhaps slightly more lighthearted implementation of this visceral art form: a dance simulation over the internet. One Alan Sondheim will produce a choreographic display utilizing the medium of the Second Life online gaming engine.


I've always thought that the prospect of living a "second life" without any sort of game objective was a bit strange, but to each his own - perhaps this "canvas" will be a great artistic medium of the future. Other concerns over environment, for instance, will be held in the same medium by Lily Honglei. I often enjoy interesting performances, and this idea is nothing if not intriguing. This up-and-coming usage of new media should prove most progressive.