When I went to see Jónsi, I half-expected what I was going to experience. All I knew was that I would probably cry and that the entirety of the production was most likely something I wanted to do with my life someday.
I had no idea.
I can't imagine sitting anywhere but in the front row. The music engulfed me and ran through my veins like an electric current of vibrant creativity. The lingering of the bass shook my insides and took me to a place of unreality. As I sat watching the imagery interact with the set and react to the music, my jaw dropped, and I literally found myself laughing out of pure awe and enjoyment.
While watching these five performers, all these memories of my own music-making days flooded through my head. You would watch them, smiling and using their instruments as extensions of their own breath life. They were everything music should be: making something bigger than any one of them could have made by themselves.
The thing that struck me the most was that I didn't feel sad about it. Normally at a concert like this, a sense of jealousy would rage over me, and a dissatisfaction of my own choices to disregard music for art would tear me apart. But this performance showed me that the two really can collide into one massive orb of fantastical artistry. It inspired me, motivated me, and healed me.
If I could go back, I would have brought a sketch book.
It gave me so many ideas! And it was then that I knew my choice to be a Web and Multimedia major was the exact right choice. I want to do massive installations, using music and sound and interactive environments to encompass the visitor in my space. I want to recreate the feeling that I had last night. I want everyone to feel that.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Jónsi Live Sinking Friendships
Tonight I experienced Jónsi.
I doubt I will ever experience something like that again.
Cockaboody & Shel Silverstein
For my History of Animation class we have to propose an animation by a famous animator(s) or studio that has adapted a piece of writing that exists as text only. I have chosen John and Faith Hubley to adapt Shel Silverstein's poem "We're out of paint, so..."
WE'RE OUT OF PAINT, SO...
Let's paint a picture with our food.
For red we'll squeeze these cherries.
For purple let's splash grape juice on.
For blue we'll use blueberries.
For black just use some licorice.
For brown pour on some gravy.
For yellow you can dip your brush
In the egg yolk you just gave me.
We'll sign our names in applesauce
And title it "Our Luncheon,"
And hang it up for everyone
To stop...and see...and munch on.
Below is the Hubley's animation "Cockaboody", of which the adaptation is based.
WE'RE OUT OF PAINT, SO...
Let's paint a picture with our food.
For red we'll squeeze these cherries.
For purple let's splash grape juice on.
For blue we'll use blueberries.
For black just use some licorice.
For brown pour on some gravy.
For yellow you can dip your brush
In the egg yolk you just gave me.
We'll sign our names in applesauce
And title it "Our Luncheon,"
And hang it up for everyone
To stop...and see...and munch on.
Below is the Hubley's animation "Cockaboody", of which the adaptation is based.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Registration, Earth Day, Task Party
Things I did today:
1. Registered for classes!
I finally met Piotr Szyhalski (my advisor) and totally love the guy! After figuring out registration he offered to have me in during his office hours to review my work and see what I'm interested in, what I've done, etc. That really meant a lot to me; I really need some direction! AND he got Bernard to allow me to take Motion Graphics without all the pre-reqs, which I'll take another semester, but I'm so stoked about that!
Classes I'm enrolled in:
Virtual Environment (making video games!)
Advanced Web + Screen
Mobile Device Platform Development (making iPhone Apps!)
The Body Eclectic
Gender, Art, and Society
The Five Senses
2. Earth Day!
Shishkabobs, multiple games of four square, stilt-walkers, DJs, sunburns, typefaces, wonderful!
3. Made a morph animation.
4. Task party!
Oliver Herring hosted one of his famous Task parties in the MCAD College Center and I simply attended out of curiosity. And it was a total blast!
At said party I:
Danced wildly around the DJ
Slow motion fun
Started a revolution to play "Single Ladies"
Made a blue belt and giant biceps
Blew up
Made a 6 ft pillar out of trash
Marker war
Learned how to swing dance
Caught glitter herpes
1. Registered for classes!
I finally met Piotr Szyhalski (my advisor) and totally love the guy! After figuring out registration he offered to have me in during his office hours to review my work and see what I'm interested in, what I've done, etc. That really meant a lot to me; I really need some direction! AND he got Bernard to allow me to take Motion Graphics without all the pre-reqs, which I'll take another semester, but I'm so stoked about that!
Classes I'm enrolled in:
Virtual Environment (making video games!)
Advanced Web + Screen
Mobile Device Platform Development (making iPhone Apps!)
The Body Eclectic
Gender, Art, and Society
The Five Senses
2. Earth Day!
Shishkabobs, multiple games of four square, stilt-walkers, DJs, sunburns, typefaces, wonderful!
3. Made a morph animation.
4. Task party!
Oliver Herring hosted one of his famous Task parties in the MCAD College Center and I simply attended out of curiosity. And it was a total blast!
At said party I:
Danced wildly around the DJ
Slow motion fun
Started a revolution to play "Single Ladies"
Made a blue belt and giant biceps
Blew up
Made a 6 ft pillar out of trash
Marker war
Learned how to swing dance
Caught glitter herpes
Thursday, April 15, 2010
A Town Called Panic
A hilarious French stop motion film.
Want to watch some extras in English?
Click here to watch 40 of them!
Monday, April 12, 2010
Sunny Spring, Karen's Visit, RA Awesomeness
The last few days have been so classically wonderful that I deemed them necessary to report.
FRIDAY:
Morning class, blah blah. In the afternoon Carl, Sara and I watched The Time Traveler's Wife and balled our eyes out. Afterward we met Charlotte outside to play four square. It was one of those Hey Arnold situations where all the neighborhood kids casually joined in and we just played, only the neighborhood kids were fellow MCADians. In that time I found out I received the RA position and we rejoiced with some Lychee frozen yogurt at Café Kem. Then we girls watched the boys skateboard in the parking lot until we got hungry and headed in for spaghetti. Fowler and Carl put on Aliens, so Z and I zipped out spontaneously to see Hot Tub Time Machine.
SATURDAY:
I woke up with a surprise package at our door: Karen! Thus the whole day went to Fun. We played more four square and ate paninis at Café Kem. Then we sat outside in the MCAD parking lot watching the boys skateboard. After five hours of outsideness, I caught a sunburn. Then we ordered Pizza Lucé and sat around and talked. The girls went to TML and Sara and I went to Diana's birthday party. After failing to start a dance party, we came home and zonked out immediately.
THE FUTURE:
Today I got many questions answered and have temporarily decided to go home for the summer and return for RA duties in August. It sounds as if I will then be able to visit my sister in Florida for an extended amount of time as well as get a vehicle for next year. As far as classes are concerned, it looks like I will have only one afternoon class next semester, which I am oddly excited about. Everything else will be in the mornings and at night. I predict a lot of naps. I also foresee less wasted time in studios. Perfect.
I'm really thankful for the RA position. Though I love being around people, I also love having my own personal space to recharge and wind down. I'm excited to get to know the residents and organize events. All in all, this feels way better than all the other plans I had before with Pixar and studying California. All my needs have been taken care of!
FRIDAY:
Morning class, blah blah. In the afternoon Carl, Sara and I watched The Time Traveler's Wife and balled our eyes out. Afterward we met Charlotte outside to play four square. It was one of those Hey Arnold situations where all the neighborhood kids casually joined in and we just played, only the neighborhood kids were fellow MCADians. In that time I found out I received the RA position and we rejoiced with some Lychee frozen yogurt at Café Kem. Then we girls watched the boys skateboard in the parking lot until we got hungry and headed in for spaghetti. Fowler and Carl put on Aliens, so Z and I zipped out spontaneously to see Hot Tub Time Machine.
SATURDAY:
I woke up with a surprise package at our door: Karen! Thus the whole day went to Fun. We played more four square and ate paninis at Café Kem. Then we sat outside in the MCAD parking lot watching the boys skateboard. After five hours of outsideness, I caught a sunburn. Then we ordered Pizza Lucé and sat around and talked. The girls went to TML and Sara and I went to Diana's birthday party. After failing to start a dance party, we came home and zonked out immediately.
THE FUTURE:
Today I got many questions answered and have temporarily decided to go home for the summer and return for RA duties in August. It sounds as if I will then be able to visit my sister in Florida for an extended amount of time as well as get a vehicle for next year. As far as classes are concerned, it looks like I will have only one afternoon class next semester, which I am oddly excited about. Everything else will be in the mornings and at night. I predict a lot of naps. I also foresee less wasted time in studios. Perfect.
I'm really thankful for the RA position. Though I love being around people, I also love having my own personal space to recharge and wind down. I'm excited to get to know the residents and organize events. All in all, this feels way better than all the other plans I had before with Pixar and studying California. All my needs have been taken care of!
Wednesday, April 07, 2010
Birthday, Break, Red Wing, Major Change
Notable things in the past month:
Well for one, I turned 20. For the first birthday ever, I felt older, with an overwhelming sense of responsibility sweeping over me. I'll probably always be a big kid, but now more than ever, I feel like it's time to grow up a bit.
For this birthday I played recess games. Similarly to my 16th, we played capture the flag, but with a twist of four square. I've been addicted to four square since.
The nice thing about my birthday is that I get to spend it here in Minneapolis, but also at home for Spring Break. I didn't get anything spectacular this year. Just a much-needed flash drive, some new clothes, and a delicious cake. Mostly I was thankful to go home to get away from school and to see my parents and pets.
Being home isn't
as fun as my fond memories make it out to be. Everyone is either in school or working; it's no vacation spot. But after I got over that fact, it became enjoyable, and I saw most every friend I wanted.
On my break, I visited three parks, two Targets, and one barber shop. I ate Chinese twice, BBQ once, and never had chicken at home. I saw nine friends, six parents, and two pets. I bought fourteen pairs of underwear, eight pairs of socks, four pairs of capris, and my dad bought two Trikkes. I watched four movies, three seasons of Weeds, and one movie in theaters. And lastly, I played too many games of four square to even count.
I rode back to MCAD with Audrey. We listened to a total of 4 CDs, talking took precedence. The real journey took place after we returned. Monday night, I asked Alyssa, Z, and Carl to join me for homework. Not too long after Carl showed up, we spontaneously (and surprisingly) decided to make a late night road trip to Red Wing to climb the bluff.
Long story short, Z got in a car wreck, but we still went to Red Wing. Alyssa and I were poor night time trailblazers, but we made it up one trip and huff at at a time. By the time we got up there, it was almost midnight, but we were in no hurry regardless of our morning classes. We saw a fox, too, which Alyssa mistook for a cat at first. The walk back down was flooded by cell phone lights and camera screens. Best Monday night by far. I'd like to return during the day sometime. Carl gets so excited about his hometown. This story is the basis for my 25 page assignment in my writing class. Huzzah!
The last notable thing to talk about it my change of major. Before break I had become a bit unsatisfied with the animation program here at MCAD. And more importantly, I started questioning my education in general. What am I looking to get out of my classes? What work have I been really proud of or interested in? Where would I like to be after college?
None of those answers lied in the typical animation field. I don't want to do character driven, narrative based work. I want to use animation as a tool for bigger projects. I want to work interactively, conceptually, and experimentally. I still want to learn animation techniques, but I want the ability to work in other mediums as well. Thus I have, as of today, switched to the Web & Multimedia department. Alexis and Stevie were very supportive of this move, both technically with my credits and conceptually. I'm very excited to see where this new direction takes me!
Well for one, I turned 20. For the first birthday ever, I felt older, with an overwhelming sense of responsibility sweeping over me. I'll probably always be a big kid, but now more than ever, I feel like it's time to grow up a bit.For this birthday I played recess games. Similarly to my 16th, we played capture the flag, but with a twist of four square. I've been addicted to four square since.
The nice thing about my birthday is that I get to spend it here in Minneapolis, but also at home for Spring Break. I didn't get anything spectacular this year. Just a much-needed flash drive, some new clothes, and a delicious cake. Mostly I was thankful to go home to get away from school and to see my parents and pets.
Being home isn't
as fun as my fond memories make it out to be. Everyone is either in school or working; it's no vacation spot. But after I got over that fact, it became enjoyable, and I saw most every friend I wanted.On my break, I visited three parks, two Targets, and one barber shop. I ate Chinese twice, BBQ once, and never had chicken at home. I saw nine friends, six parents, and two pets. I bought fourteen pairs of underwear, eight pairs of socks, four pairs of capris, and my dad bought two Trikkes. I watched four movies, three seasons of Weeds, and one movie in theaters. And lastly, I played too many games of four square to even count.
I rode back to MCAD with Audrey. We listened to a total of 4 CDs, talking took precedence. The real journey took place after we returned. Monday night, I asked Alyssa, Z, and Carl to join me for homework. Not too long after Carl showed up, we spontaneously (and surprisingly) decided to make a late night road trip to Red Wing to climb the bluff.
Long story short, Z got in a car wreck, but we still went to Red Wing. Alyssa and I were poor night time trailblazers, but we made it up one trip and huff at at a time. By the time we got up there, it was almost midnight, but we were in no hurry regardless of our morning classes. We saw a fox, too, which Alyssa mistook for a cat at first. The walk back down was flooded by cell phone lights and camera screens. Best Monday night by far. I'd like to return during the day sometime. Carl gets so excited about his hometown. This story is the basis for my 25 page assignment in my writing class. Huzzah!The last notable thing to talk about it my change of major. Before break I had become a bit unsatisfied with the animation program here at MCAD. And more importantly, I started questioning my education in general. What am I looking to get out of my classes? What work have I been really proud of or interested in? Where would I like to be after college?
None of those answers lied in the typical animation field. I don't want to do character driven, narrative based work. I want to use animation as a tool for bigger projects. I want to work interactively, conceptually, and experimentally. I still want to learn animation techniques, but I want the ability to work in other mediums as well. Thus I have, as of today, switched to the Web & Multimedia department. Alexis and Stevie were very supportive of this move, both technically with my credits and conceptually. I'm very excited to see where this new direction takes me!
Thursday, April 01, 2010
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