Final Project

The final part of the three part trilogy from my partner (Jorge) and I (Crystal). When people assume they make an Ass out of themselves. Here we watch a scared young man come face to face with his demons.

Trip to MOMI

The trip to the Museuem of Moving Images enlightened me in many aspects as this was my first visit. The museum depicts a very modern demeanor that resembles the Museum of Modern Art. One aspect of the museum that interested me was the special effects demo. The guide first explained the whole scene to the group, emphizising the demon scene was actually two shots. She then showed us the huge sweater of Freddy Kuegar in Friday the 13th part 4. This has always been one of my favorite movies from the 90's. Freddy was my introduction to horror movies while also giving me horrible nightmare. The tour guide described to us that the sweater (which was about XXXXXXXL) was designed on such a scale to have actual people be used as the demons coming out of his chest. It was scaled to be used in the close up aspect to give realism to the scene.  In the scene the sweater rips open to reveal the demons inside of him trying to escape. the use of people were needed to make the demons coming out more life like due to manual animated effects. It seems very time consuming but exhibits the skills and ideas of the designer.

My interest was defiantly prompted when our guide reveled to us the stretched prosthetic neck used in "Black Swan" by Natalie Portman's character. I could picture the scene as she described it in detail.  With Portman turning into a swan, the horrifying image of her neck being elongated freaked me out. As the guide is elaborately detailing the procedure and steps to create the mechanical working of the mechanism, I realize how amazon technology it and that it was not computerized but manual. The neck was designed with a rubber latex that was skin tones with a hydraulic inside to stretch the prosthetic to make it look extremely life like.  With computerized special effects many of the movie industry professionals still rather use manual special effects where ever possible. This gives it an authenticity that can not be achieved through computerized effects as it does sometimes look fake. Now knowing that this museum exists I plan on putting this on my favorite museum list right under the Met.

What I hear (SoundWalk) Brooklyn Bridge Park

Brooklyn Bridge Park

On Sunday me and my partner rode bike from our home to brooklyn bridge park. As we left our downtown apt I heard a mix of sound from the hustle and bustle of the up and coming neighbor. I hear the construction of the machines grinding into the concrete as the workers shot at each other not to argue but to communicate over the loudness of the grinding. In conjunction I hear the passing conversations of people as they walk along fulton st. Within this madness we cross the street to the citibike depot and purchase a ride. As I get on the bike and ride I hear peddling from not only my self but my partner as she changes the gear. Behind me I hear a loud honk dedicated for me as this is the first time riding in the streets on brooklyn this will not be my last encounter. I hear the driver cursing me, muffed by his windows.

As we almost reach our destination which is only a 10 min ride I hear the sounds of laughter as children enjoy their time at a street festival on court street. Their screams fill the quiet neighborhood as this place is always alive with traffic both on foot and the road but I realize it's rest on Sunday. We continue on our journey to Brooklyn Bridge park as we turn down montegue st. It is decilete no patrons it resembles a ghost town. The streets are so quiet, I only hear the faint echos of the nearby street with car passing by the avenue of closed banks. This is the only time I hear the slight sound of birds cooing, the doors closing as people enter and leave buildings. Amazed, I even hear the faint noise from the air vents for the subway, a light hum escapes the underground tunnel. Just as we continue our ride the roaring from the Brooklyn Queens expressway breaks the silence. It is a massive echo of cars and trucks as their engines roar. I hear the many bumps from the potholes they hit while speeding, thump after thump they hit the same holes one after another.

We finally arrive at our destination. The first abundent sounds I hear is of children screaming, laughing with a few cries... Shouts from mothers and fathers making sure they're alright. We past the park to the Hudson River and I hear the swishing of the violent waves from this windy October day. I listen and hear thumps and swishing of sand and look to see there is a volleyball game in play. I hear toilets flushing from the nearby open bathroom. It's so many sound from a vast sea of people enjoying there Sunday. We walk closer to the Smorgusburg to hear more thuds from the hitting of balls but this time it's many simetaniously, there is multiple games happening on the enormosre soccer field.

I have only came to this food festival for a Ramen Burger but when I enter I hear the frying of my favioate fries and all my sense kick in. The reminiscence of the smell, the noise of people smacking, chewing and talking all at once makes me nauseous. I hear the clinks of the metal dividers as people lean against them and the close conversation of nothingness takes over my area of sound. As I wait and hear these people I finally get close enough the I hearthe sizzling of burgers on the grill. I hear ketchup farts and metal change being exchanged. I get my burger and we walk around past a coffee vendor who sounds as if he is preparing an espresso drink. I recognize the frothing of the milk from my days as a barista, I hear the grinding of the espresso beans and the presser squeezing the water soaked grinds to make the base for his patrons drink, I hear the slash as the espresso and milk collide, it sound so delicious. We become tired and bored after a walk around as all I can hear is the yelling, chit chat and cars above us, I also hear the shuffling of rocks as people stroll behind each other as it becomes to crowded and overwhelming. We grab our bikes for our short ride home. When we finally reach the front of our building i realize that the construction has ended for the day and it is once again peaceful. I am now in the comfortably of my home with the noise of the world now on the other side of my sound proof windows, I relax knowing that I can now turn off my ears.

Interview Project 2 with George

Interview Project with George

Since I was younger Brooklyn has always been that forbidden and dangerous area many New Yorkers feared to venture to, considered by some as the "bad seed" of NYC. My influences resonate from the city I was born and raised in and how it has translated into a Mecca of artistry. I am a reflection of Brooklyn as I am considered the black sheep of my family, with often being misunderstood, an outcast with informal views of the world as well as an ever unwavering opinion. Like Brooklyn I emerged from the shadows of others to elevate myself from the "hood" of Bed-sty to the high rises of downtown. With my journey I have used art as an extension of my insight as it is a my voice to the viewer.  

From the first time I picked up a pencil I realized that drawing was a way of how I could express my inner most thoughts, desires, and fears. My artwork references the history of Brooklyn as it explores the varying political and cultural movement. While I have experience in a variety of mediums, drawing with pencil, pen, charcoal and pastels excite me the most. Using my hands makes me feel more connected to my drawing as it is an extension of my emotions. My art has non conforming aspects as it also possess a peak of the fine art. The change in my city has beckoned a change in me, as my art is ever evolving I fear that I will lose grasp on the real me. I seek to find my true nature and the complexities that illuminate both aspects of my art. My goal is to combine the gritty and rough features with the smooth and sophisticated traits that inhabit to echo in my art.