put the needle on the record.........

houseatreides — Tue, 15 May 2007 21:45:38 GMT

As a student of art history it is my compulsion to continually question the role of the artist, and the function of the artist over time. I have found solace in answering this question. What remains of a people, of generations, of whole cultures after they are gone? It is their art. And through art the voices of past storytellers echo on. We leave footprints of our power words through our literature, dance, song, and brushstroke. We become grooves in the archive................the record so to speak. The infinite potential of the artist develops in the archive of time. By being a part of the record we are given the ability to reach forward and to work backward throughout time and throughout space. Through allegory, metaphor, and symbolism and through the reinvention of ancient mythologies the old tales are retold, reworked ever amplifying forward into the future. Archiving, building and reflecting upon art is...... in actuality...... defining culture....... and in turn.....ultimately furthering a collective consciousness. The importance of which is magnified tenfold........ now........ as we progress further in a world of mediated, controlled imagery run rampant with agendas,censorship, bias and discrimination. Yet in my lifetime I also see the repertoire of the artist growing into a full-fledged arsenal equipped to dispute intensely complicated modern global issues. We must create our own iconographies and record our own discographies. Im sure as fuck not gonna let some multibilliondollarmediaconglomerate do it for me. We have new arenas such as the virtual realm and the digital archive to explore and through the multimedia development of digital art, web, video, sound, performance, dance kinetics, robotics etc…. we are becoming truly multifaceted. My intention as an artist is to fully investigate contemporary issues through the progressive tools set that is becoming available to me. Conceptually I am addressing ideas mostly within the framework of our relationship with technology and technological advancement. Such as, culturally significant phenomenon like social computing and the advent of technological waste aka ewaste. I view social computing as a limitless means of exploring fictional and fantasy realms of self-expression. It's infinite potential is almost magical. Does creating virtual avatars provide an empowering means of expressing oneself digitally? Like an extension or tool to further develop an existing persona? Through illusion, mystery and virtual anonymity what can we create as digital artists? What do we gain and what is at risk exploring virtual guise and mask making? What types of mediation are at hand here in virtual realms....and where is the power held? The development of virtual realms and advancement of these super technologies seem to be at that expense of nature and the natural world. The wheel of production supporting our high tech gadretry and ensuing waste cycle continually spews an unaddressed trail of ominously toxic goods with environmental impacts that harbor dire implications now and far, far into the future. As technology further develops our evolution, we are at the same time unleashing a sickening waste trail of disposable goods and products. We are jeopardizing our very existence. At this rate, the only place left we may have left to inhabit is the virtual world. My current pursuits address these issues mostly through the eyes of a painter. I at once use traditional medias such as watercolor and collage honoring the skills set of established and time-honored avenues of visual imagery. I can amplify these works in our current framework by utilizing and learning new tools available to us such as Photoshop and Imovie. Ultimately my function as an artist is to record and reflect upon the world....... my intention is to create hope, to remind of us of what is sacred...... and provide possible insight in regards to pressing social issues as I leave my digital footprints. I find that people are most drawn to beauty and the most splendidly beautiful thing of all is life....... in and of itself, in all its many avenues and forms. I would like to champion life and the natural world, by bringing attention to important social and environmental issues but do so gracefully, not by finger pointing..... but more as if seed planting........in a way that manifests wonder, awe, and hope as does this precious ground that we walk. I hope to be an accurate recorder, to harness and continue ancestral tools and traditions, and to create new traditions through digital media, eventually becoming a bright beacon creating hope as a shining,light filled jedi/avatar/ninja against the dark mystery as my needle weaves without skipping honoring the past and formulating the future for what is yet to come. disclaimer: There is an idea in here that I have grown and elaborated upon..........however did not originate within this person.....remember in the words of Gail Dawson....."you are only as original as the obscurity of your source" ..........I vehemently support citing your sources...........of which I will in time..........pay rx to those who walked before you....think of it as tribute versus appropriation.....but this one in particular is so fucking obscure I can't remember where I got it........but when I do...... will get full credit in my virtual ramblings...... stay up playahs I need to namedrop some kids who have been integral to my development. PTMR, LORDS CREW and the likes......UM CBS etc......... Philip Milic Tasha Berg and FLG's Gail Dawson Kal Spelletich for you who believe........at this point sit and envision my nuclear disarming grin ;) I'm ready to take the next step........... who wants to gift, trade or provide a lowcost route in helping me a get a website up? word is bond

If you ever wondered at the subtle......

put the needle on the record.........