The "Beat" Generation

Last class our focus on the "Beat Generation" and war's influence on art, music and literature was incredibly captivating. Seeing the chaos and crisis reflected in abstract expressionists' work like Polluck, Bacon, Dekooning and Rauschenberg moved me but even more so, hearing the spoken word of poets like Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg and twisted yet genius, William Burroughs, entranced me.

Visuals and Audio have the universal power to reach into some one's soul, twist their heart, engage their mind and set them off on a trance into the unknown, exploring thoughts they never touched upon before, or sometimes, even more powerfully, putting words or visions to thoughts that have gone hidden and unsaid.

At a point in my life where I'm more aware of the rest of the world than I ever was, and consciously aware of my evolving self, my curiosity to discover more is rampant. As someone who has always felt a pull towards the creative arts, it's a passion of mine to analyze and dig deep. I could spend hours in a museum studying paintings, sketching them, looking for deeper meaning..which is exactly what abstract art supplies.

The pain reflected in this generation, although heavy and unsettling, is beautifully captured. Kerouac especially, clearly out of his mind and in another world, a bottle or two in, is ingenious. His talent is undeniable and his broken words and shambled persona further intensify the message he alludes. This is the collapse of the American dream. Exhausted, burnt out, abused..for some reason, the line "children crying in a land where they let the children cry" really jumped out, perhaps for the sole reason of his purposeful mention of children; the helpless, being left without aid.

Ginsberg was another absolute genius, words flowing from his mouth with such ease and directness, poignant, honest, captivating this upheaval of separation between society and artist and in place of the torn down walls, charging movements to make the private world public, exposing our naked selves.

I feel like I'm in a time of my life where I'm unsure of a lot. The world is radically changing, responsibility of adulthood is knocking right at my door and I as muster the stamina that's under attack by a battle to regain health against a chronic disease that I don't want to define me, the days pass by all too quickly and I'm left gasping for whatever time I have left. I don't know what my future holds and that can be all too stressful for a perfectionist set on nothing but success with the ultimate goal of securing happiness as well. Basically, my mind is constant clusterfuck and although I believe everything in life is what you make of it, I do enjoy reveling in a moment of time where I don't have to be positive and can relate to the disheartened works of this beautifully tortured "beat generation".   It's scary to even say it out loud, to expose myself fully, give attention to my fears and weaknesses- but I'm human. We all are and it's this focus on unveiling oneself that unifies us all, reminding us we're not alone. The closest modern day example I can think of to relate to the Beat Generation's efforts is the book, turned movie, "Perks of Being a Wallflower". One of my absolute favorites that exposes the characters fully with intricate writing and development, making it a classic that everyone can't help but relate to, relish in and adore.

Surrealism: releasing one's imagination

Having originated in the late 1910's and 20's, surrealism became known as a new mode of "automatic" expression with the sole purpose of breaking past all inhibition and releasing one's subconscious thoughts.

Andre Breton, one of the first truly responsible for the movement's outbreak was a poet, critic and trained psychiatrist. The release of his 'Manifesto of Surrealism' in 1924 marked an international movement that spread far beyond art to politicians and intelluctuals.

The psychological connection however is most fascinating. Breton along with others, was highly influenced by Frued's methods of free association, drawing on the private world of the mind to share things typically restricted by society's limitations and norms.
Without dadism a decade earlier and the carefree disregard for tradition that it inspired, surrealism woudn't have the strong foundation that inspired it's radical leaps into the unknown.

I have so much respect for the artists who took the first radical steps in releasing work that they knew wouldn't make sense, that they knew in all likelihood, wouldn't be recieved as well as the typical "normal" landscape or traditional piece.

Dadism and Surrealism inspire an outlook that should be connected to all art work and further more, to all parts of life. Rather than worrying about people's judgements and reactions and editing our performance in accordance to trends of society. we should produce and perform what we're most passionate about, without fear of failing to live up to expectations and instead with the sole focus of using creative mediums as an outlet to free ourselves.

One of Doctor Suesse's infamous quotes rings a bell in this instance:

"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who matter don't mind and those who mind don't matter"

Surrealism is all about letting go and seeing where your mind, or pen and paper take you, which I love because for years and years I've been a doodler and in times where I have no idea what I want to sketch or paint, I'll just start with a few strokes and let my mind go free. It's calming- I can fully see the connection to psychology and from this, the creation of art therapy.

Video Games & Violence- an empowered union?

The focus on violence in our culture is undeniable; splashed across television screens, movie theaters, detailed in books and of course, centralized as a theme in all popular video games. Everything is more realistic and bloody than ever. Our culture has become white washed to the graphics and all too real plot lines, however, the controversial theory that violent games are influencing society's members to plot and perform mass shootings such as Columbine and Newtown, remains flawed without signifigant evidence.

 I believe if you sit one young male down to play Call of Duty, Mortal Kombat, World of WarCraft, Grand Theft Auto, whatever, you name it, for two hours and you sit another boy down to play racing games for two hours, the first test subject will absolutely have fueled aggression. The sole purpose of the game is to hunt and kill and with flashing images across the screen of blood, guts and warefare, with fingers pressing buttons in a matter of life or death urgency, the blood gets pumping and the mind focuses solely on the task needing to be performed.
Imagine this boy, as many in our society, has been playing games like this since the age of eleven. If this is all he does, if he already has a mental condition, absentee parents, little to no friends and a displeasurable school experience, it's no wonder the bombardment of violence could shape and stir twisted fantasies.

For the rest of the population however, those who play these games in moderation, along with others and a life filled with other activities, clubs, relationships, well, they're able to separate illusion from reality, game rage from common aggression. In fact, video games can be used as an outlet to channel aggression safely- and as many studies have shown, those who play are more likely to have outstanding hand-eye coordination skills.

I believe video games are not to blame, the real issue with the weakest links and criminals of society is their already broken minds.  The banning of video games or weapons won't fix the mentally disabled; numb to feeling and understanding of right and wrong, it  won't stop them from finding some way to act out their rage.

I believe the media empowers people and gives the wrong idea by promising the idea of attention and fame, especially to the most violent. Mental health attention and involved families or friends is the real fix, not unrealistic bans.

Here are just a few stats to close it out:

65% of households play computer or video games.
The average game player is 35 and has been playing for 13 years.
94% of video games report their parents are present when they purchase their games.
Comp and video game companies employ more than 80,000 people in 31 states.
In 2006 the Ent. Software Industry's value added 3.8 billion dollars to U.S. Gross domestic product.
40% female, 60% male
63% of parents believe the games are a positive part of their children's lives

A Generation of New & Old: 1401 Room

The idea of having a museum dedicated solely to the first few generations of massive machinery is genius. It's frankly comical and unbelievable looking at the size of these machines that look like they should be from way before the 60's- the transformation in a matter of a few short decades is unreal.

Room 1401 simultaneously provides historical context and appreciation, especially to those from younger generations who have grown up with flat screens, smart phones and kindles. 

I was surprised to learn that Robert Garner and his team only meet once a week to repair and revive these models. 

"The WITCH aka the Harwell Dekatron" from 1963 looks NOTHING like a computer. Built with gas tubes and mechanical relays, it looks like it could make a successful barricade for in battle combat. 

I was happy to see Charles Babbage, a familiar name, and his "Engine Number 2" showcased in London, as well as Colossus mentioned, a huge machine we focused on in class as a game changer in history.

I can appreciate the idea of this museum and all that it represents, in fact I honor it for educating and demanding more of the country, however I frankly would much rather plunge deep into an art or history museum. I don't think I would pass up the opportunity to miss this showcase though- very unique and much needed! Especially for the little boys and girls born within the past 10 years who will grow up in a completely different mindset, thinking touch screen is the norm.

Zuckerburg, Gates and Dorsey: Live Up the Tech Life!

"Addition, subtraction, that's about it" Yeah right, Bill Gates! Writing your first computer program at 13 to play tick-tack-toe...

I completely see where theses genuises are coming from however, these innovative skills are in high demand in today's constantly evolving high tech world.

Watching this, I'm wishing my brain operated in the way where such an idea wouldn't be so out of reach. As Gates comments on our education sytem, our economy, our world state, as weakend- it all ties back to the solution of fixing our academic foundation and empowering it to be the best.

Money is such an issue. Even if someone has the burning curiousity to delve deep into life and teach oneself, they could very well shy away from taking the leap because a college education and further down the line, grad school, overwhelms one with debt.

Most of the time, men are born with this unnatural intelligence and it can't even be taught to a fresh slate. Sure, powerhouses and businesses can try to create little minions that are 1/3 the level of their own tech savy skill.

The mention of the causal work enviroment in the article: "working at a deep-pocketed tech company, where employees get free food, work barefoot and skateboard around the office." reminded me of the offices shown in "The Social Network" and "Friends with Benefits" in which case, life would be unreal and I would say, sign me up.

I get that these creators are trying to inspire, and I support their mission to teach things that the school system overlooks, such as the useful knowledge of decoding- however not everyone, and I speak for myself when I say this, is born with the understandign and ability to go into that field.

I believe it's like Art- you're born with a skill level. Anyone can create and imporve with practice, but it takes a true, born artist with talent to create masterpieces and turn it into a career.

Carmen, Alt. Dance

Let's just say this was the last thing I was expecting. Opening scene, It seems like the man is a reincarnation of Steve Carroll's 40 year old virgin, living at home with his mother making awkward youtube videos, but then all of a sudden it seems like a nursing home, and then the wall is peeled away to reveal people in black leather costume- the woman pulls the shade, and the man changes character- into a woman, then once again, back into a man, at 2:28 is where things really start to pick up. Breaking the fourth wall throughout the entire video, the camera takes in the club scene and the variety of characters, then once again leads back to the 40 year old virgin character, staring straight at the camera, in an old fashion type home with his mother.

SO, are we led to believe these are the dreams he fantasizes about? Dub step clubs with outlandish characters?

Once again, an evolving piece that resembles someone's acid trip, I'm tempted to connect the layering of transitional characters to BLU BLU.

I've heard Carmen countless times before but to August's credit, this piece is entirely original.

BLUBLU "Muto"

 I’m fascinated by the filming techniques used for this video.  A strange, trippy concept, you have to keep an open mind as the funky music follows the evolving graphics. Alien cartoon creatures, form into objects and then structures and creatures once more. The people walk by, blurs of motion, unaware.

I don’t understand what’s happening- large hands reaching down to open up a giant crawling baby like a hot dog, pulling out a diamond that once again becomes a grown figure, giving his head to the large man who started it all and continues to evolve once more- head spinning, drifting until he’s peeling layers and layers back in the most bizarre fashion- like the FBI agents in Men and Black who end up being Aliens undercover. The baby crawls along the wall like a spider, making a nest, hatching eggs of falling heads- once more, turning into a skeleton and then the same figure again.

This act of layering and full circle animation is entirely bizarre but you can’t ignore the genius creativity. There’s monumental layering, a focus on creatures crawling, transforming constantly- you can’t peel your eyes away from the screen, in fear of missing some crucial step of this bizarre evolution.

I can’t help but think some incredibly talented person had all these visions on a crazy acid trip. I wish I could understand the process of filming more, because the techniques used as well as the additional notes of music, really united the piece. I can see how this would be inspiration for the flip book project!