Final Essay

I think technology mediates the artist experience because it allows more people access to art and allows different ideas and creativity to be expressed. With technology you can manipulate pictures you have taken, adding an extra expression to the art that can't be found with other forms. I also think that to do multimedia art you must think differently than to do painting, sculpture, or drawing. It evokes different emotions and is very unique.

Technology allows everyone to be an artist and a photographer. It has already changed the way the world looks at art and will continue to break the norms for years to come. I also think technology has forced artists to think of art in a more creative matter. Two hundred years ago, there were no pictures so most art forms (drawing, sculpture, painting) resembled exactly what the artist saw--more realistic. Now the technology of cameras have been developed so there is less of a need to paint exactly what you see since a camera can capture it more accurately so artists were made to think of everything differently. From this impressionism, cubism, fauvism, and other styles of art have developed, all unique and creative. I credit this wonderful change to technology.

Critical Mass and the Five Years too many in Iraq

Hard core bikers, Critical Mass, gather before setting off to stop traffic hoping to disrupt automotive flow and send their message that the war in Iraq must end. Armed with chains to symbolize the chains against the Iraqi people this person mirrors some of the protests against the Vietnam War in the 1960's.

As more bikes arrive the group's message becomes painfully clear. They talk about how they will piss off motorist and want to be extremely radical in order to make change. However the crowd remains small. How can there be a Critical Mass without a critical mass? Will they make any difference?

With the whole group assembled the leader describes the dangers that lay ahead from ignoring stoplights and signs as well as stopping in the middle of intersections to pass out pamphlets. The medic gets her supplies prepared and gives a speech saying that they can get hurt but if they do call her or 911. Some people nervously listen...wondering if THEIR lives will be the ones in danger.

No fear. This is what is needed for the journey ahead. But it is hard to do knowing the danger that lies ahead.


Critical Mass sets off...


They are picking up momentum...


Going faster and faster...


Into traffic...

Causing traffic accidents and angry motorists. Cars honk. And honk. And honk. Rolling down their windows. Yelling. Slamming their brakes.

Finally they venture out of Dupont onto various locations to spread their message. Some of the bikers have fears but all have passion. Passion for peace, passion for the earth, and a passion for making a difference. But do they make a difference? The War in Iraq is still going on. Did they have any impact? I like to think that they did--to the cars that they pissed off or caused accidents too maybe they will think more about getting on a bike to avoid the pandemonium that comes from driving a car. They also spread awareness. Yes the War in Iraq is still going on and it is a bad thing that we need to do something about. Lives are at stake.

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Tomorrow at 5:30 I will be going to Dupont Circle and being apart of Critical Mass "Kick the Oil Addiction that Fuels the War". I think this is an important issue and I will document it.

We plan to be fighting AUTHORITY against the government who supports the big oil companies and against the big oil companies themselves.

What Personal Computer Brings To Art

I think that the personal computer (PC) brings an availability to art. Nearly every person has the option to create art and express opinions via the internet. Where as previously for your voice to be heard you would have to be rich or powerful and now creating a blog and is free. The personal computer with interface graphic design makes it easy for people to use computers to publish their ideas.
Hypertext allows everything to be faster and helps people to think more creatively.