Video Art - Decontextualization

The Art of Prayer

Decontextualization = removed from its context; no context

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The purpose of this video is that as this semester ends I find myself reflecting back on my past four years of college and realizing that I truly had the most stressful time in my life during this last semester. Whether it was dealing with school work, my job, or a personal issue, I had several times where I just wanted to break down and give up. However, every time I looked for advice from my mother she would always say, "you just need to stop what you are doing and say a prayer, ask God for his help." I found myself constantly stopping in the middle of something or right when I felt like I wanted to give up, I would begin to pray and ask for help.  My prayers made sense because of what I was doing and what I was asking for. However, in this video one can see that each individual is praying, but it makes no sense what they are praying for... such as saying a bedtime prayer while making your bed instead of laying in it or saying a dinner prayer while sitting in an art gallery where food is not allowed.

I personally find prayer very important in my life, but certain prayers are only meant for certain times. The art of the words coming from one's mouth and speaking to God is beautiful, but what happens when there is no meaning to it when it doesn't belong?

As I am graduating and entering the "real world" of having to find a job and every thing that comes next, I know I will look to prayer more than I ever have. This is more of a personal and serious piece that is about asking God for help and letting him be the leader of my life. Therefore, I wanted to incorporate Him in my last piece of art as an undergrad, because it is a big part of who I am, an artist.

Performance Arts Video

For this assignment we were to create a performance art piece that incorporated technology. After putting a lot of thought into it and coming up with several ideas... it hit me one night while running on the track and seeing sprinklers watering the field.. that something as simple as a water sprinkler is technology. It didn't have to be using a computer, phone, iPod, camera, tv or something that most people would first think of. But rather, to be different and use something simple and actually very beautiful. I knew right at that moment that I wanted to do poses in the water and having it hit my body and drip off.

I was very pleased with this piece but after having my professor view it.. I think it would have been even better to be covered in mud and having the sprinklers cleaning it off. Just like the song - come clean. He also stated that it would have been neat to be holding a speaker in the water.. but I like the simplicity of what I did. However, I do understand him wanting to see more technology involved in this piece.

Times a Flyin

It's crazy to me to think back five years ago today.. and how it seems like just yesterday. One of the biggest tragedies that my little town had occurred on this very day.. five years ago. wow. It will never be forgotten. nor will he. Loved and missed everyday, forever, and for always!

Five years later.. and I am getting ready to graduate with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Digital Art/Design. Time goes by so fast. Sometimes I feel like I'm so behind.. because so many people are having kids.. or getting engaged and even married.. but then I have to stop and realize I am exactly where I need to be. I am so happy that I am accomplishing my goals and am very excited to begin my next. But it's also scary.. scary to think that the last seventeen years of my life have been in school.. but now I have to grow up, get a job, and get serious. I'm excited, yes! but just can't believe how the last eight years of my life feel like it all happened in one.

22 years and I'm still learning to never take a day for granted.. Count my blessings.. and let the people who matter most know it each and every day. There's still so many things I have to look forward to in life! and graduating from UT is one of them! 3 more weeks!! =)

Graphic Design - Symbol Sets

Second Project
Pineapple Symbol Sets
Created in Adobe Illustrator
Shown 3x3 and 1x1 for shrink-ability

FIRST BOARD:

Anomaly 

Curvilinear/Rectilinear

Direction

SECOND BOARD:

Focal Point

Gradation

Organic/Geometric

THIRD BOARD:

Positive/Negative

Radiation

Repetition

Graphic Design - Typography

First Project

Variable Plates

Created in Adobe InDesign

Color

Weight and Size

Weight

Proximity

Visual Punctuation

Size

Art and Technology - Xerox Project Comments

Some comments on other students works...

Rupert - your idea was really neat. I like how symmetrical it all was and how you hid your eyes.  Anyone who knows you would be able to tell that is you and understand that the piece has to do with your life.

Jessica - I loved your idea "Changing the World". She had a box covered in construction paper and then had her hands, coins, and watches all over it. The contrast and shading of the scans were amazing! My favorite were the two hands interlaced, that looking awesome.

Amanda - It was really neat how you used your longboard because anytime I see you you have that longboard with you. So I can easily tell that it means a lot to you. I like how you changed the sizes of your scans. Also, the way your hair flowed was different than everyone elses.

Kaitlin - She had a radio with fingers and ears all over the out side and then when she open the tape player her belly button was inside and when she opened the cd player her mouth was inside. On top were eyes. It was cool and all tied together with the radio... dancing, singing, touching buttons, listening... good idea!

Art and Technology - Xerox Project

For this project we were to scan ourselves and create a work of art with it. I decided that I would scan my face, hands and feet and put them all over my house (leaving marks wherever I walk or touch). We constantly are moving around and touching things, but do you leave behind marks and at the end of the night see where all you've been and what you accomplished?! This piece is showing that you may want to be lazy.. but it just isn't going to happen today, because you have too much on your plate.