Each performance lasts just two minutes and takes place in, around, in contradiction of, or is inspired by “The Hole,” a 100-year-old mechanics pit in the floor of the SOMArts Main Gallery.
Past performances have included the unorthodox usage of bodily orifices, a set from a heavy metal band, and ritualistic offerings. Who knows what may transpire this year when 100 brave and experimental performers take to the hole? Don’t miss San Francisco’s most punk rock performance art biennale!
To learn more about Nik’s work, please click here.
Currently working on a piece about Nik’s work. He’s an incredibly intelligent, talented, and humble guy. I couldn’t help but reflect on something he shared with me recently about Video and Programming (related to new media arts). Here’s what he said…
I am a big believer that work should perform and be as it is — that whatever phenomena that you are trying to describe be embedded in the work itself. But I also think that the somewhat anachronistic attributes of past media have a significant weight on how work can be put in conversations today.
One of the most intriguing things about the world-wide web is its virtual tumbleweed of randomness (aka Spam messaging). In the past couple of days, I received about 20+ spam messages in my WordPress Comment Inbox BUT this one in particular intrigued me. First, I have a strange fascination with its length. Quite frankly, I can’t help but look at it. I don’t dare read it word for word but what would happen if I did? Or, reading parts versus the whole? It’s not the humdrum message about lengthening my non-existent penis or discount drugs. It’s, literally, a hodge podge of nothingness (two smilies in tow) and you know what, I kinda dig it. You’re probably thinking I’m crazy but there’s something about the modern-day ‘junk’ mail and virtual clutter we receive that really makes me wonder – where does it all come from?
I’m also reminded of video work, New News, by art collective/performers, What We Know So Far. Then again, what doesn’t remind me of art?
The pseudo news reporting is actually text from spam e-mail messages. You have to listen carefully but isn’t it strange how it seems, looks, and feels like a legitimate news cast? Now, imagine watching news in a foreign language. Would there be something particularly meaningful to you? Probably not because you wouldn’t know what is being communicated but what visual cues give way to its importance or unimportance? Anyway, this is why I enjoy work such as New News. It’s a great commentary on culture, media, and our collective attention spans.
How could I resist the little yellow Perforce robot? Had to grab a coaster!
Last night, I accompanied Danielle Siembieda, Community Engagement and Special Projects Manager for zero1, to Girl Geek Dinner (GGD) held at Perforce, a Tech company in (Downtown) Alameda, CA. Granted, it’s some distance away from Silicon Valley but seemingly filled with just as much energy and innovation (if not more). You can read more about Perforce’s revision control system here.
Upon entering the GGD, I was given an icebreaker Bingo card. I met some pretty interesting people and won a plush Perforce robot!
Upon entering the GGD, friendly, smiling faces welcomed me (as well as a lot of pink and purple decor). In the main office downstairs, everyone was preparing for the evening and running about and this is where I noticed the P4 robot. One of the Perforce employees actually created an entire costume that looks just like the plush doll you see above. I regret not taking a photo but I learned pictures will be posted to the company’s blog! Overall, the ambiance and environment was fun and inviting.
Perforce Branding on the front…
Nobody likes to have expectations but I have to admit, I had them. Quite frankly, I assumed the many engineers, programmers, and web developers would be out of my league when it came time to discuss new media arts. I know very little about the technical side (I don’t count playing around in Processing as technical knowledge either). There was a lot of trepidation to engage in conversation but when asked about the art writing and my strong interest in new media artists, some of the discussions ended up being much more lively than I had expected.
I met James Creasy, a Perforce Product Technology Manger, who is also an artist. Some wonderful discussion ensued about art and technology. I also learned that his job entails looking at trends and seeing what new technologies people are using and what has needs to be created. Ashley, a Tech recruiter, and Christine, CEO of Sharefund, joined in the conversation. It was definitely a sweet start to the evening.
Girl Geek Dinner logo on the back (or front, depends on your perspective)…
A couple of memorable events: 1) Defining ‘geekiness’ and 2) Discussing new media art with programmers and engineers and hearing, “Hmmm, what is new media art? I don’t really know what you mean by that?”
1) Seeing what defined ‘geekiness’ last night, well, to me, those things aren’t geeky (i.e., building a 3D printer, being the only girl in the math club in high school, and having multiple Apple devices, etc.). All of these things are pretty awesome. I’m no mathlete BUT I love mapping and flow charting my writing ideas, I’m a sucker for continental philosophy, and own multiple Apple devices. Oh, and I’m into corny jokes (now, THAT is really geeky). So, perhaps, I fit in more than I originally thought.
2) Now, this is my passion. I’ll spare you transcripts of the conversations but let’s just say it was great to discuss new media arts with technologists. From electronics to robotics to programming and immersive environments, I was more than happy to discuss new media arts, conceptually and philosophically. Hoping I sparked some interest but just as long as one person engages in fruitful and thought-provoking conversation around the topic, I’m happy.
Open up the snazzy bracelet to reveal…a thumb drive! Nice.
The question after last night, Would I do another GGD?
Yes!! The dinners are facilitated and hosted by different companies but I’m totally into going to these events after all the unique conversations I had from last night. Next time: I’m bringing a stack of business cards! 🙂
My videos are often the result of experiments with tools and softwares that anyone can have access to. The challenge is to find ways to use these tools in order to create new forms and new perspectives on the aesthetic of video. I am mostly inspired by the diverse manifestations of light; artificial, electronic or natural. Recently I’ve been exploring the possibilities of generating light through video feedbacks, and in finding new ways of using presets included in different editing softwares.
~ Sabrina Ratte on her creative motion process | Source: Triangulation Blog
If I haven’t mentioned it (total plug for Rhizome), when you become a Rhizome member, you get access to The Download, a monthly featured artwork available ONLY to members! Totally worth it. Although this is only the 2nd installment, it’s been a treat to receive the official The Download e-mail!! Just some food for thought…
Sadly, I was unable to embed my latest Rhizome Download, Activated Memory (2011) by Sabrina Ratte to this post. In its place is another one of her pieces, Bleu Nuit. At the moment, I’m writing an essay on Nik Hanselmann and his video and programming art work (which I’m hoping to send off for review and editing soon). It’s safe to assume that I’ve looked at video art and re-visiting older new media works (i.e., La Mamelle/ART COM, Bruce Newman, and Bill Viola). In the process of finding text that speaks to Ratte’s work, I found a great new blog, Triangulation. Definitely worth a visit and some great reading as well.
I couldn’t resist. Yes, this post is about the Chia Pet (random, I know). For the holiday season, the company has made a Chia Pet out of the President. Quite frankly I’ve always wanted one just because it’s such a novel way of getting into horticulture. Okay, so that’s not exactly true but the prospect of plant and sculpture all-in-one is pretty neat. A bonsai tree is so much work but that’s the plant I really want!
Anyway, the commercial served as a reminder to relax. I need more funny stuff to break up all the reading and writing. Laughing is good. I was reading this when I heard the all-too-familiar Chia commercial music while watching the morning news. I’m sure you want to hear about information societies, consumption, and production in the morning and NOT my musing on the latest Chia. 😉
Notes on Metamodernism ~ Source Image: Screenshot of online zine
Notes on metamodernism is a webzine documenting trends and tendencies across aesthetics and culture that can no longer be understood by a postmodern vernacular but require another idiom – one that we have come to call metamodernism. Written by academics and critics from around the globe, Notes on metamodernism features observations on anything from the Berlin art scene to US cinema, from London fashion shows to network cultures.
~ Excerpt from Notes on Metamodernism online zine
I do a lot of exploring in the virtual landscape. My evenings are spent reading, writing, and discovering new artists, writers, and theorists. Sometimes, I run into virtual spaces I’m convinced were created just for me (okay, okay, that’s a bit selfish to say but you know what I mean). Notes on Metamodernism is an online zine for artists, writers, and bloggers who thrive on critical theory and thinking. Definitely worth your time if you’re interested in this type of writing (and reading)!
Something that always troubles me – and it has troubled me for as long as I can remember – is this idea of misinformation that causes people to do bad things. We can go back to World War II, we can look at the 1990s and the Balkan Wars. Emotionally, these drive me very much, this idea of how the Balkans split apart. I’m very interested in that time. And then look at America post 9/11 with this whole anti-Muslim movement and this complete misinformation. And it’s not necessarily because somebody thought, “I’m going to be evil and go out and lie.” They really believe what they are saying, and the people listening to them want to believe what they’re hearing. So this idea that the Quran is all about terror and violence makes me go like, “Wait. Look at the Old Testament. Look at Deuteronomy. It says you can stone your wife.” Our religious texts in the Western world are extremely violent, as well.
Face to Facebook by Paolo Cirio and Alessandro Ludovico ~ Source Image: Artists' Website
What happens when you gather one million stolen Facebook profile photos, filter them through face-recognition software, put them on a dating website, and show the work internationally? You’ve got some thought-provoking art.
If you haven’t seen or heard of this project, I suggest you check out the genius behind Face to Facebook created by Paolo Cirio and Alessandro Ludovico. The project is the third installment of The Hacking Monopolism Trilogy. By the way, if you’re huffy and puffy about art like this, you’re probably the same person that says, “My kid can do that!”, when you look at Modern Art. Or, you’re hyper-vigilant and quick to say, “What about my privacy?”. To remind you, your kid didn’t do it (case closed). About your privacy, change and check your settings and starting educating yourself. Still concerned about your privacy? Keep a slambook, lots of stamps, and hush.
This is art.
Why and how, you ask? Face to Facebook forces the viewer to contemplate the age of social media and how one differentiates from their physical existence. Cirio and Ludovico are providing some hefty culture criticism and, well, I enjoy the philosophical, social, cultural, and economical underpinnings of this work. Again, check it out and feel free to share your comment and thoughts. I’d love to hear them.
Dorothy R. Santos, Ph.D. 