Dorothy R. Santos, Ph.D.

writer | artist | scholar

  • Post Modern Existence

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    I couldn’t help it. I had to post an excerpt of Frank Lesser’s piece. I’m a huge fan of prose that capture the virtual behavior and etiquette (or lack thereof) even if the story is a bit outlandish. The funnier a story, the more truthful it is. Wouldn’t you say that’s true?

    So, TRUST ME…this is an incredibly great read and hilarious reflection on our post modern/hyper modern (a nod to a great artist) existence.

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    Better Off as Friend-Requesters by Frank Lesser

    As a result of their breakup, Mike Bennett and Jen Grunwald hereby agree to end all online contact immediately, subject to the terms and conditions set forth below, and also to both parties getting a good Wi-Fi signal.

    Mr. Bennett and Ms. Grunwald (hereinafter “the former couple”) shall change their Facebook relationship status to “Single” within three (3) days of each other, and no more than three (3) weeks from the end of their relationship. Furthermore, each party shall wait a minimum of six (6) months before changing his or her status to “In a relationship,” even if said new relationship began earlier. Should either party be tagged in a photo with a new significant other before the expiration of the agreed-upon grace period, both parties shall be subject to a court-ordered defriending.

    Additionally, both parties agree that any friend of the opposite sex added by Ms. Grunwald during this six-month period shall be assumed by Mr. Bennett to be more than friends.

    The two parties shall not comment on the same Huffington Postpieces to avoid a hostile environment (hereinafter “a flame war”).Huffington Post visitation rights shall be as follows: Mr. Bennett shall comment solely on world news, New York politics, and Christina Hendricks’s STUNNING red-carpet dress. Ms. Grunwald shall comment solely on national news, style, and John Cusack’s musings on monetary policy…read the rest by clicking here!

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  • A Huangshan Mountain Range in the Lower West Side of Manhattan

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    Darren Almond’s Fullmoon@The North Sea

    I’m gradually making my way through photos of my New York trip. I took over 800+ photos. Trust me, it’s going to take me a while but I’m going to try to post them before the end of the year (Operative word: TRY). In the meantime, I figured it would be nice to highlight some memorable sightings.

    While visiting The High Line, I saw Darren Almond’s photograph of a Huangshan mountain range (in China) as a foreground to the Lower West Side of Manhattan. It’s pretty hard to deny an incredibly serene landscape with Manhattan in the background. Can’t really ignore either one, which is exactly why this installation works. It has an incredibly contrasting effect. For inhabitants of both environments, they’re both equally strange and overwhelming.

    Darren Almond’s Fullmoon@The North Sea

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  • Watching The Future of Art

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    The Future of Art from KS12 on Vimeo.

    If you have 20+ minutes, it will be worth it. Trust me. Watch and discuss. Thank you, MG (again)!

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  • Asterisk SF ~ The People Issue

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    Who do you admire?

    The Asterisk SF team is hard at work with the next issue covering the beautiful people of San Francisco. Click on the image above to submit a nomination for someone you believe promotes and creates positive change in the community (or is just a damn good chef or makes phenomenal art). Whoever they are, Asterisk SF wants to hear about who you admire and why. 🙂

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  • Don’t Hate on the Forward Thinker

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    The percussed victims of the new technology have invariably muttered cliches about the impracticality of artists and their fanciful preferences. But in the past century it has come to be generally acknowledged that, in the words of Wyndham Lewis, “The artist is always engaged in writing a detailed history of the future because he is the only person aware of the nature of the present”. Knowledge of this simple fact is now needed for human survival. The ability of the artist to sidestep the bully blow of new technology of any age, and to parry such violence with full awareness, is age-old. Equally age-old is the inability of the percussed victims, who cannot sidestep the new violence, to recognize their need of the artist. To reward and to make celebrities of artists can, also, be a way of ignoring their prophetic work, and preventing its timely use for survival. The artist is the man in any field, scientific or humanistic, who grasps the implications of his actions and of new knowledge in his own time. He is the man of integral awareness.

    ~ Marshall McLuhan, Canadian educator, philosopher, and scholar – Excerpt from Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man

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  • GALVANIZE! 2nd Annual Benefit Gala for Gray Area Foundation for the Arts (GAFFTA)

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    Click on the image above to learn more about this special event!

    Celebrate the newly minted residency of GAFFTA in the historic Warfield Building in San Francisco. It will be an evening that brings together all of GAFFTA’s entrepreneurial and creative communities. From young professionals, financiers, entrepreneurs, and artists, this gala will present an upscale rock concert for a unique, creative and sexy Silicon Valley and Bay Area audience. We expect 800-1200 digerati, with all guests, talent, volunteers, and members working to amplify the talent, and artistry, of today’s technologists.

    ~ Image and Text Source: GAFFTA Site

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  • Bumper Stickers and Bathroom Walls

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    Bumper Sticker in an SF Parking Garage

    My apologies for the poor resolution and clarity on these photos. I took them using my phone. Typically, I have a steady hand but I was in a hurry (especially taking the bumper sticker shot) and someone was waiting to use the restroom at the café.

    I had to post these photos because it reminded me of the alternative ways to communicate with people. Granted, you have a limited audience but these forms of communication will be around for some time (even in this technology-laden age). The bumper sticker and bathroom walls remain a constant source of entertainment and contemplation. I wonder why bathroom walls or bumper stickers are way more interesting to read than virtual interactions? Let’s face it, people post incredibly inane stuff online. I know you’re with me on this one. 😉

    Bathroom Scribblings

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  • Medium = Message

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    In a culture like ours, long accustomed to splitting and dividing all things as a means of control, it is sometimes a bit of a shock to be reminded that, in operational and practical fact, the medium is the message. This is merely to say that the personal and social consequences of any medium-that is, of any extension of ourselves-result from the new scale that is introduced into our affairs by each extension of ourselves, or by any new technology. Thus, with automation, for example, the new patterns of human association tend to eliminate jobs, it is true. That is the negative result. Positively, automation creates roles for people, which is to say depth of involvement in their work and human association that our preceding mechanical technology had destroyed. Many people would be disposed to say that it was not the machine, but what one did with the machine, that was its meaning or message.

    ~ Marshall McLuhan, Educator, Philosopher, Scholar – Excerpt from Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man

    This can be taken so many ways but I’m wondering what people do with the machine? If they can even begin to define their interactions with technology and where the meaning lies. Interesting question considering people automatically look at their mobile devices when they enter an elevator, or feel compelled to talk or text while driving, or feel lost when the power goes out. Again, is your interaction with the machine/technology the meaning or the message?

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  • Art Review’s Power 100 for 2011

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    Source: Screenshot of Art Review Power 100 Site

    The Art Review’s Power 100 reflects the most influential art folks (in the world). The much deserved #1 spot for 2011 went to Chinese contemporary artist Ai WeiWei. HOWEVER, this list STILL looks like a cup of vanilla ice cream washed down with a cup of milk. According to Art Review, the list is,

    First and foremost, a guide to the general trends, networks and forces that shape the artworld.

    ~ Art Review on the Power 100

    I’m not so sure about the list being a true sign of who truly affects and shapes the art world. The list (still) includes many people behind the business of art versus actual artists. With the power of the internet, interactive media, and new media arts, there’s a huge void in the list. In addition, calling these individuals powerful is largely based on accessibility to them. I’m sure Larry Gagosian (last year’s #1) wouldn’t even look at me if I walked into his space. Coincidently, his New York gallery is not too far from Eyebeam (highly influential arts and technology organization that is fertile ground for some ridiculously talented artists).

    Bottom line: Although the list may infuriate, excite, or perturb, it’s a gateway into learning one side of the multi-faceted/dimensional nature of the art world.

    Click here to read my write-up for the Power 100 list of 2010.

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  • Substratum: A Series of Inspirational Interviews

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    Click on the image above to read some inspiring interviews!

    I’m a sucker for interviews. I can’t help it. I find them inspirational (especially when the questions asked get at the why and how of someone’s success story). Artist, Matt Ganucheau, shares all the great stuff with me and I’m seriously grateful for him sharing his wealth of knowledge in arts and technology. Kudos (again) to my artist friend for sharing this latest addition to my essential reading – Substratum. Beautifully designed and well put together, Substratum asks artists about their stories and what they envision in their communities and the world and how arts and technology can affect change. That said, I highly recommend you delve into the space and learn about some really (truly) amazing artists and innovators!!

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