T h e M e d i u m is t h e M e s s a g e

T h e M e d i u m is t h e M e s s a g e

The medium is the message is a phrase coined by Marshall McLuhan meaning that the form of a medium embeds itself in the message, creating a symbiotic relationship by which the medium influences how the message is perceived. The phrase was introduced in his most widely known book, Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man, published in 1964.[1] McLuhan proposes that media itself, not the content it carries, should be the focus of study. He said that a medium affects the society in which it plays a role not only by the content delivered over the medium, but also by the characteristics of the medium itself.

For example, McLuhan claimed in Understanding Media that all media have characteristics that engage the viewer in different ways; for instance, a passage in a book could be reread at will, but a movie had to be screened again in its entirety to study any individual part of it. So the medium through which a person encounters a particular piece of content would have an effect on the individual's understanding of it.

SOURCE: WIKIPEDIA

Consider these ideas in relation to your artwork:

Why do you choose to create work in a particular medium?

How does that choice affect the "message" and content of your work?

Or the ways in which a viewer might engage your work?

Link to NY Times Article on:

Reading Up on Gutenberg as the iPad Drops

Arts Fest IDeas & Proposals

-several small projects.. different media

-set time, place... event is what happens in that window

-people on a wall or canvas... or talk aout an opinoin or important view and project it, with people

-write and perform a song using any instruments we wanted. could be recorded, could also have a video run with it.

-a class hunting and gathering project... pictures from our own creations.. big collage, have it happening during the event

-instruments with found objects, keeping a beat, use found objects and include the audience

-create a cardboard bus- project a bus onto it

-spread the word about a performance, set a time, then its a "fake performance"... the people meeting is the performance

-collage on a canvas or wall of how we are feeling... let viewers participate and include images or feelings in it

-video: pre-record interviews with people about money, and then create a video of animals and planet images, etc...

-cake and forts

-creating a quiet and peaceful environment... outside comes inside

-Earth Hours 2= turn off all of your electronics... play board games

Agenda: Wednesday, March 31

Wednesday, March 31

1. Announcements: Marisa Olsen

2. Proposals for Arts Fest

3. Review of Final Project- questions, comments, concerns

4. SOUND LAB with Steve Strait

5. Media Lab... back to Audacity and recorders

*** Email me a time when we can meet to go over grades and Final Project Ideas

MARISA OLSEN- Monday, April 5 @ 7pm Seamans Center

"Intermedia|New Media: Marisa Olson" MONDAY APRIL 5 - 7:00 pm 1505 Seamans Center Marisa Olson [Excerpt from a recent FB event invitation:] "Marisa Olson is an admitted internet junky and a serious bookworm. Her talks are both a product and a trace of her research into fluke epistemologies, the vernacular of digital visual culture, and the intersecting histories of science and superstition, new ageism and DIY/homebrew computing culture." A presentation of "Intermedia|New Media," an ongoing series of artist visits and presentations hosted by the School of Art and Art History Intermedia Area. For more information view attached electronic flier. Sponsored by the School of Art and Art History, part of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires an accommodation in order to participate in this program, please contact the School of Art and Art History, W619 SSH or 335-1376.

in b flat project

http://inbflat.net/

neat project

Final Project

The Final Project is a combination of Sound (Unit 4) and Video (Unit 5). This project demonstrates the skills you will be learning using audio recorders and editing programs, as well as video and animation. Your goal is to combine sound and image in a meaningful and thoughtful manner. Sound is often an afterthought to videos and movies, but in this project your goal is to think of ways that sound can contribute significance or meaning to the content of your images. The following are required:

1) A significant, thoughtful sound track that includes, but is not limited to:

a) at least two (2) sounds recorded by you (using either hand recorders or studio mics- can be abstract, narration, instrumental or any variation thereof)

2) An image component that can be:

a) stop-motion animation, digital video, or found images

b) consider things like:

-an interview project

-an audio and image tour of a place or landscape

-an abstract collage of images and sounds

-a video projection onto a wall or object

-a cinematic and "movie-like" experience that has a narrative (a beginning, middle and end, plot, characters)

Start now! Gathering materials is an important aspect of your work- check out a recorder and start getting sounds or interviews. Check out a camera and start taking pictures and recording video. Put these in a file for your Final Project. Become familiar with the technology. Gathering sounds and images is only one part of the process. Editing is an entirely creative and time-consuming process that can lead to exciting discoveries. The more materials you have to work with when you begin editing, the better.

Think about whether this is something that would loop continuously in a gallery or would it be an experience that requires the viewer to watch it from the beginning to the end? Please consider the importance of editing, narrative arc, and the position of the viewer-- your entire work should be between 4-8 minutes.

Your Final Project is due Wednesday, April 28 and should be placed in my DropBox or given to me on a CD by this date.

Audacity Exercise-In Class

Today we will work in the Media Lab. We have two goals for today as we explore sound:

1. Learn the basics of using Wire Tap

2. Learn the basics of using Audacity

To acquire these basic skills, you will be working with a partner in the Media Lab and will do the following:

1. Open Wire Tap and record at least two (2) audio files. Drag these onto your desktop or another folder that is easily accessible.

2. Open Audacity and start a new project file. In Audacity, do the following:

a. Import your WireTap Audio Files into Audacity

b. Practice using these tools: Cut, Copy, and Paste with your Audio Files

c. Use at least two (2) effects on portions of your Audio Files

Cheers!

P.S. Audacity is an *open source* program, which means you can find this program online and download it for free!