Thesis Exhibition Exploration

Testing out the light units... fun times!



I hope I exported the right dot gains... argh...

Intermedia Collaboration

It's been a while since I have had time to sit down... Most recently I worked on a collaborative project with Jon Fila from Computer Graphics Design, together we created a 3D dimensional form that utilized software such as Cinema 4D and Maya. Having been around RIT for several years I was able to get the advice of the Industrial Design professors and Rick the studio manager. We were pointed in the right direction and encouraged to use their 3D printing facility which was a great experience! The particular printer we used created an additive form consisting of starch. Using this method and particular resolution output transferred the unique pattern associated with the mathematical side of our geometric form. While some may not appreciate this "low res" artifact of the process, I really embrace it and find it fitting. It hints towards and adds to the dialogue of Intermedia artworks... This experience naturally had its ups and downs, to be fair we were asking a lot from ourselves having never created anything in glass before. The structure at RIT is great for the most part, I found many of the professors quite encouraging! However, school program outlines and restrictions can become very frustrating when trying to work with interdisciplinary ideas. Our project took on many forms and came a long way from our original sketches, regarding both aesthetics and concept. It was imperative to be respectful and open minded when creative differences came up. Everyone has their own distinct background and opinion that stems from their individual experiences, insight, and skill set. In general, I would say that it is very good for an initial idea to change overtime as it demonstrates progress and addresses new challenges that may arise when taking into account the limitations of mediums and/or learning curve of a specialized skill. Through the Glass department at the School for American Crafts we were able to put our molds in the kiln and were assisted with the pouring of glass which took approximately two weeks for the first initial batch of our intermedia sculpture. The restrictions that apply to non majors in the Crafts School really forced us to balance the mold, wax pouring, cold working, and fabrication between various other departments. This project would really not have been possible without the access and assistance from Computer Graphics Design, Glass, Sculpture, and New Media programs. Part of my original concept for the project was to use geometric shapes that would transform into a balanced sculpture with cohesive and abstract elements within its design. The surrounding negative space around and in between the individual/combined glass forms would work together through visual line and spacial relationships. These relationships were planned to activate the sculpture's overall mass and form... which could be changed organically by rearranging the components/modules (various glass orb structures) throughout the work to create new possibilities. In a perfect world, we would have had access to the glass facilities and the time needed to create an environment with suspended orbs and geometric forms that echoed and emphasized the primary sculpture. The projection was another trouble shooting issue that had to be worked out... Due to the varying light in different surrounding environments, the distance and angle of the projection had to be changed. We created a controlled environment using a simple box solution that helped with keeping the distance of the light from the projector consistent. We then uploaded a video, which also has varying potential.

3d Printing & Glass Casting

There has been a lot of research and interest in the development and exploration of the 3D printing realm right now. I had read an article talking about the future personal 3D printers and their price range of approximately $1,000 US (Perhaps 6 months ago.) Alan Singer most recently tuned me into the following exciting resource: http://3dhomemade.blogspot.com I was not aware of Junior Veloso but it's great to see the dialogue that is going on right now, these are very exciting times!

3D Printer, Interdisciplinary Collaboration

School for American Crafts: Glass Blowing

Steve Jobs 1955 - 2011

Keith Howard Exhibition, Non Toxic Printmaking

Visiting Roni Henning in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn

CUNY Exhibition at Medgar Evers

Harlem Week in NYC

Mass Transit is CLOSED for the first time in NYC

Hurricane Irene, Rockaway Beach, Queens NY

If it's not one thing it's another... an earthquake and hurricane in the same week!? "May I have your attention please, you must evacuate the area." This is what's going on right now just outside the window because I'm in "Zone A." I walked here from the B90 Rockaway subway stop and saw three different news channels on the way to B121. A lot of people have spent their time boarding up and taping windows, others are walking along the beach path before the hurricane arrives, while others are drinking at the only bar open along the boardwalk. I guess I'm stuck here at this point because they're closing down the entire transit system tomorrow at noon. I should have headed out to Jess' over in Sleepy Hollow but I just didn't see all of this coming. I went to Steve Cooper's gallery space over in Herald Square today and also had the chance to visit Roni's artist studio in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. *Note My hurricane Irene scotch tape fortress!!! It's all in the details.

New York City Earthquake & CUNY Exhibition

I'm pretty sure that I started it all when I spilled my rice krispies all over the counter this morning... It was first reported as a 5.9 and turned out to be a 5.8 originating in Mineral somewhere in the Virginia/D.C. area. An earthquake hasn't hit NYC since 60 years ago, and it only happens about once a century. This was my first earthquake experience, I was at Jose's apartment in Rockaway Beach when the table suddenly started shaking. I had no idea what was going on! I thought it was the wind or a truck or something passing by... it wasn't until about an hour later that I found out what it really was when I heard about it on the news. I guess all of the phone lines were jammed with this, "thrust faulting earthquake." All of California is probably laughing at us right about now.

In other news, the Canon 20D I had signed out from RIT just went into "error 99" mode since yesterday and it doesn't look like an easy fix, I'm just waiting to hear it from the tech guys when I get back. I was taking a photo from my car and it just happened, it must be some mechanical or cleaning issue. Fun times because I did not bring a back up and I know I'm going to hear it from Eric who was nice enough to have let me have it all summer! Yes to errors one week before turning in equipment! Sarcasm at its best of coarse.

To end on a positive note, I was recently informed that two of my prints were chosen for an exhibition at CUNY: The Center University of New York http://events.cuny.edu/eventDetail.asp?EventId=33058 "Caribbean Art and Artists for the Diaspora" will run from August 31st until October 21st! Also, I'm meeting Roni Henning at her studio in Brooklyn on Friday!

Massimo Vignelli

How often do you look out a window and see Massimo Vignelli?

Design Boom at Rochester Institute of Technology

A review of Rochester Institute of Technology, School of Design & Innovation Center, Interdisciplinary

http://www.designboom.com/weblog/cat/8/view/15346/rochester-institute-of-technology-school-of-design.html