With the switch to the card system they also increased the price of the dryer by fifty cents. Not so bad on the single scale but now I only get four loads from $10 instead of five. Well, I don't do a lot of laundry. Still I'd prefer the extra load.
A machine malfunctioned and the person who was using it just left their laundry in the broken machine. It was filled to the top with stinky water and decent enough looking clothes.
Started watching the next season of The Wire. Probably will finish it before the weekend is up. I have a lot of drawing to do so the show should provide most excellent company.
Tonight's TBA was Philippe Quesne / Vivarium Studio: L'Effet de Serge. I had to cross Burnside to get to the theatre. I don't like Burnside. Too crowded and traffic laden. There was plenty of bike parking and the tucked away venue didn't have too much of a line. It wasn't even a full audience. I wasn't in the front row but I was glad of it. I liked being able to see the full stage. The set up was a basement studio of sorts; very long and shallow. There was a sliding glass door, a ping pong table and various things set on and around it.
The play opened with Gaetan Vourc'h walking around in a astronaut suit and explaining that all of their plays begin with the ending of the last play. He walked around the stage and introduced all of the objects and the layout of the house and what Serge's neighborhood was like. He explained that Serge likes to put on sort, three minute performances for his friends on Sunday and is experimenting with voice over. He switched to voice over and left the stage to return in character. The rest of the play was centered around his Sundays and his friends coming over and seeing his quaint little performances. He milled around and it was generally quiet through most of the play but still enjoyable. Each occurrence of time passing had a voice over, "time is passing time is passing it is Sunday...". Sort of like that, but not quite. For his first friend, a lady who arrived by bike, he controlled a remote control car under a box with a sparkler attached to the top of it. His second show, to a couple who arrive by car, he controlled the lights of their Porsche in rhythm to Ride of the Valkyries. All of his performances were in tune to a song, but that is the only one I remember. The third show was to a female who came on foot. Before she arrived he was playing with a light rope and some glow stick eye glasses. It was an adorable moment of him swinging about the ropes. And then he ran into the door. When his lady friend showed up he was still wearing the glasses and was tending to his busted nose. It was one of the more awkward moments of the play (there were many, it was very awkward and quiet all together). For her, he did a laser show against the wall. All of his company tried to give a little critique of what he did before leaving.
The big finale were fireworks. He hooked up the trigger to his feet and ignited each one slowly, bringing the wires together in a paced motion. His audience was made up of the four friends who had arrived earlier in the play and another one. The third lady gave him a tee shirt. They awkwardly looked at each other. Another friend arrived late for his little show. Pizza interrupted his first attempt. I found myself identifying a great deal with Serge. I know all too well those awkward moments with company where you are unsure what to say and you are just standing there looking around. I think Lindsay would have liked this performance.
I went down 7th and crossed the Hawthorne bridge on my way back.
Tomorrow I hope to hang with Jen and do a little cafe drawing.
hi
Saturday, September 13, 2008
bald friday
I didn't say much in lit class. Trevor talked for the majority of it. Lots of deep concepts and things to talk about concerning the chapter I didn't get to. But I did get a reading response of sorts in. A significant portion of the class left for the Thursday one instead. We watched a couple clips from various Frankenstein movies and discussed the changes. We also watched a bit of Jesse James Meets Frankenstein's Daughter. It was almost as bad as Jesus Christ: Vampire Hunter.
Illustration Class was divided into three parts. First we put out samples of our work to get an idea of who we were dealing with. Marilyn's inking skills are insane. If only she could finish a piece. There was a nice variety in both skill and where people were going with their images. I am, for the most part, really happy with my class. I'll be seeing, hopefully, a lot of these people during the next three years. The portfolio review took us right up to lunch. Robin and I went to Whole Foods together where I misjudged how heavy my lunch was. It was good, just not $8 good. I need to get into lunch packing shape. Try as hard as I may, I just can't get Robin to take more of an interest in comics! Boooo!!
We lounged in the lounge and ate our lunch with Liz and a girl from class who I feel bad that I have forgotten her name. Jim joined us for a little bit. There was a Cosmo Girl on the table. According to Cosmo Girl: pot is really, really addictive!!
The second part of class was spent studying the composition in certain slides by redrawing them. We used ink and our new fancy Sable hair brushes. I wasn't sure what size to get so I got both a 0 and a 6(they were on sale) but I needed a 2. Dang!! Well I have a certain love now for brush and ink. Looks so nice. I hauled in my ink box today, which turned out to be entirely unnecessary. The third part was a little illustration history lesson. Homework was assigned for next week and we were let out a little early. Robin and I walked home together. It was a nice meandering path back under a toasty Portland September sun.
A Popsicle was had and before I knew it, it was time for tonight's TBA. I saw Zidane: a 21st Century Portrait. I loved it for how the music by Mogwai added to the tension during many moments of the movie. I hated how it was 90 minutes of Zinedine Zidane playing soccer/football. Well not hated but it was seriously 90 minutes of intense focus on him through an entire single game. There were some subtitled quotes about 45 minutes in and some footage of events that happened elsewhere on that day but most of the movie was the tense close ups of the game. Still, I would watch it again over a Sophia Coppola movie. I sat next to a guy who is in my History of Design class. We chatted about books we like. Modou was right behind me. He was wearing sunglasses indoors. Eh? But yeah, the movie was long and quiet and there were many kids in the audience.
No one messed with my bike this time around. I needed to unwind and undo some of what this TBA Festival has done to my mind, so I went to see a normal, regular movie. All though not quite an everyday movie because it was the new Coen brother's film Burn After Reading. The 9:30 was sold out so I loitered around for the 10:15. I should have seen the sign that it wasn't what I expected it to be when people left the theatre very serious like. I thought it would be to No Country for Old Men what The Big Lebowski was to Fargo (haven't seen it, but I am sure it isn't a light hearted Coen romp). Instead it was a tragedy with many smiles contained. A decently crafted yarn but the Red Band trailer gave away a lot of surprises and overall plot points so it ended up being a little expected to me. It wasn't as complex as I would have hoped but all the actors were on their A-game and created real, believable characters. I was surprised by it, but I did enjoy the film.
Now I really need to begin the three night process of sleep reclamation.
Illustration Class was divided into three parts. First we put out samples of our work to get an idea of who we were dealing with. Marilyn's inking skills are insane. If only she could finish a piece. There was a nice variety in both skill and where people were going with their images. I am, for the most part, really happy with my class. I'll be seeing, hopefully, a lot of these people during the next three years. The portfolio review took us right up to lunch. Robin and I went to Whole Foods together where I misjudged how heavy my lunch was. It was good, just not $8 good. I need to get into lunch packing shape. Try as hard as I may, I just can't get Robin to take more of an interest in comics! Boooo!!
We lounged in the lounge and ate our lunch with Liz and a girl from class who I feel bad that I have forgotten her name. Jim joined us for a little bit. There was a Cosmo Girl on the table. According to Cosmo Girl: pot is really, really addictive!!
The second part of class was spent studying the composition in certain slides by redrawing them. We used ink and our new fancy Sable hair brushes. I wasn't sure what size to get so I got both a 0 and a 6(they were on sale) but I needed a 2. Dang!! Well I have a certain love now for brush and ink. Looks so nice. I hauled in my ink box today, which turned out to be entirely unnecessary. The third part was a little illustration history lesson. Homework was assigned for next week and we were let out a little early. Robin and I walked home together. It was a nice meandering path back under a toasty Portland September sun.
A Popsicle was had and before I knew it, it was time for tonight's TBA. I saw Zidane: a 21st Century Portrait. I loved it for how the music by Mogwai added to the tension during many moments of the movie. I hated how it was 90 minutes of Zinedine Zidane playing soccer/football. Well not hated but it was seriously 90 minutes of intense focus on him through an entire single game. There were some subtitled quotes about 45 minutes in and some footage of events that happened elsewhere on that day but most of the movie was the tense close ups of the game. Still, I would watch it again over a Sophia Coppola movie. I sat next to a guy who is in my History of Design class. We chatted about books we like. Modou was right behind me. He was wearing sunglasses indoors. Eh? But yeah, the movie was long and quiet and there were many kids in the audience.
No one messed with my bike this time around. I needed to unwind and undo some of what this TBA Festival has done to my mind, so I went to see a normal, regular movie. All though not quite an everyday movie because it was the new Coen brother's film Burn After Reading. The 9:30 was sold out so I loitered around for the 10:15. I should have seen the sign that it wasn't what I expected it to be when people left the theatre very serious like. I thought it would be to No Country for Old Men what The Big Lebowski was to Fargo (haven't seen it, but I am sure it isn't a light hearted Coen romp). Instead it was a tragedy with many smiles contained. A decently crafted yarn but the Red Band trailer gave away a lot of surprises and overall plot points so it ended up being a little expected to me. It wasn't as complex as I would have hoped but all the actors were on their A-game and created real, believable characters. I was surprised by it, but I did enjoy the film.
Now I really need to begin the three night process of sleep reclamation.
Friday, September 12, 2008
I believe it
It is highly believable how I tired I am. The fire alarm went off at 4am and didn't stop until 4:30am. 4am is the worst time for an evacuation. Even the night owls are in bed and you go back to bed with only a couple hours left to enjoy sleep. I was still awake when it went off. I don't know what kept me up but the alarm just aggravated it. I was the first one outside. It was mostly art students in the courtyard. Didn't seem to be an accurate representation of the amount of people living there. Anywhoo, it sucked and I am right now running on an what is probably less than two total hours of sleep.
We had a different model in figure drawing today. She had great tattoos. We practiced drawing the frame work of the model and the measurements of limbs. Morgan had story time where he showed us a book on reclining nudes. Karen, Diana and I sank into the student lounge couch during break. I did my best sloth impersonation for the girls. Class was fun, I am really liking that class. I learn a little more each class and apply it towards the next drawing I do. Really spectacular.
Lindsay and I walked together after class. I had to get some art supplies for my studio class tomorrow. Utrecht didn't have bond paper but they had a good price on sable hair brushes. I staggered back to school and picked up the bond paper at Art Media.
I joined Jen in the library and laid out my stuff to start drawing my painting project. I had a hard time focused and wandered around talking to people. I thoroughly enjoyed a beef dip sandwich and tea for lunch. Thank you Quizno's, you are a Godsend to a tired and starving Trillian. I was so tired that I knew I couldn't do two TBA shows tonight. I did find someone who really wanted to see the show I was unable to attend so I have a little joy knowing that my ticket was used by someone who really wanted it. My drawing went through many renditions but I am happy with what I started painting. Lee remarked that it was amazing that no one had thought of that concept before. They probably have but shhhhh lets pretend I'm original here.
Painting class was a joy. Everyone is in such good spirits there. I love the level of camaraderie. I felt a little bad about how much we raved about James Jean, who is a friend of Farel. Jean is awesome, Jean is great, is there a possibility of him coming here? And so on. Wonder what it's like to be around people who rave about your friend as this phenomenal artist. But it is also an undisputed fact that Jean is spectacular and I don't anyone can be bitter towards him. He apparently has a phenomenal work ethic. Anyhoo, I think Farel is a great artist and he should get the school to pimp him out a little. The hardcover of Omega the Unknown just came out. I said I would swing by Floating World and get it...when it came out in paper back. It's a wonderful edition...oh oh for Christmas! Someone get me it for Christmas! I got some good base washes and colors down in my painting today. Really good progress. And the homework sounds fun. I love both the Tuesday assignments. I can't wait to get started.
I rushed home and rushed to the theatre to grab a seat for today's TBA: Mike Daisey: If You See Something Say Something. It was a brilliant monologue about the creation of the nuclear bomb, the patriot act, visiting Trinity, the terror alert colors, Homeland Security and so many many things. It ran for over two hours and in my state it was difficult to retain many things. He was funny but not as hilarious to be as the rest of the audience seemed to think. I found some of his delivery a bit obvious but who am I to judge jokes? He will be doing the show in New York soon so Kirie, check it out ya? It was a good day to see such a show. I was on the top balcony overlooking him from a corner. It wasn't really that important to have a good view. Actually the farther the better because I could see him sweating from my seat, I can't imagine what he looked like from the front row. He had what he was to say down wonderfully.
Maybe tomorrow I can relate more details. Right now I need to finish writing about Frankenstein and crawl into my dear sweet bed.
We had a different model in figure drawing today. She had great tattoos. We practiced drawing the frame work of the model and the measurements of limbs. Morgan had story time where he showed us a book on reclining nudes. Karen, Diana and I sank into the student lounge couch during break. I did my best sloth impersonation for the girls. Class was fun, I am really liking that class. I learn a little more each class and apply it towards the next drawing I do. Really spectacular.
Lindsay and I walked together after class. I had to get some art supplies for my studio class tomorrow. Utrecht didn't have bond paper but they had a good price on sable hair brushes. I staggered back to school and picked up the bond paper at Art Media.
I joined Jen in the library and laid out my stuff to start drawing my painting project. I had a hard time focused and wandered around talking to people. I thoroughly enjoyed a beef dip sandwich and tea for lunch. Thank you Quizno's, you are a Godsend to a tired and starving Trillian. I was so tired that I knew I couldn't do two TBA shows tonight. I did find someone who really wanted to see the show I was unable to attend so I have a little joy knowing that my ticket was used by someone who really wanted it. My drawing went through many renditions but I am happy with what I started painting. Lee remarked that it was amazing that no one had thought of that concept before. They probably have but shhhhh lets pretend I'm original here.
Painting class was a joy. Everyone is in such good spirits there. I love the level of camaraderie. I felt a little bad about how much we raved about James Jean, who is a friend of Farel. Jean is awesome, Jean is great, is there a possibility of him coming here? And so on. Wonder what it's like to be around people who rave about your friend as this phenomenal artist. But it is also an undisputed fact that Jean is spectacular and I don't anyone can be bitter towards him. He apparently has a phenomenal work ethic. Anyhoo, I think Farel is a great artist and he should get the school to pimp him out a little. The hardcover of Omega the Unknown just came out. I said I would swing by Floating World and get it...when it came out in paper back. It's a wonderful edition...oh oh for Christmas! Someone get me it for Christmas! I got some good base washes and colors down in my painting today. Really good progress. And the homework sounds fun. I love both the Tuesday assignments. I can't wait to get started.
I rushed home and rushed to the theatre to grab a seat for today's TBA: Mike Daisey: If You See Something Say Something. It was a brilliant monologue about the creation of the nuclear bomb, the patriot act, visiting Trinity, the terror alert colors, Homeland Security and so many many things. It ran for over two hours and in my state it was difficult to retain many things. He was funny but not as hilarious to be as the rest of the audience seemed to think. I found some of his delivery a bit obvious but who am I to judge jokes? He will be doing the show in New York soon so Kirie, check it out ya? It was a good day to see such a show. I was on the top balcony overlooking him from a corner. It wasn't really that important to have a good view. Actually the farther the better because I could see him sweating from my seat, I can't imagine what he looked like from the front row. He had what he was to say down wonderfully.
Maybe tomorrow I can relate more details. Right now I need to finish writing about Frankenstein and crawl into my dear sweet bed.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
trashy
I hope every Tuesday isn't a, "I'm so tired from Monday I must sleep in past noon" day. It is nice but it doesn't do me very well for the next two 8am days.
I went to the Multnomah County Library and got a library card. I was serviced by a trainee. A little girl was crying when her mother took her to check out books. Guess she wanted more books? I was there to get puppet making books for my figure drawing final. Yes it is a bit early to do finals work but I want to get a handle on what the options are early on. Maybe make more than one if I have the time. Plus I've always had an interest in puppet making so this is my chance to do it. Puppets rock. I already have eight things checked out from the PNCA library, I don't know how their puppet section is but I wanted to get a stack of books so I figured it was time to get a library card. The stacks proved most helpful. I ended up with Anatomy of a Doll, A World of Dolls That You Can Make, Doll's, Puppedolls, and Teddy Bears, Making Original Dolls of Composition, Bisque, and Porcelain, Puppets and Puppet Theatre, and And Introduction to Puppets and Puppet-Making. I am so set. To check out you set your card down and enter your pin number and the slowest scanner reads your bar code. Then you set the books down one by one and it slooooooooooowly charges them to your account. Having a person do it would take less time than the machine. Diana was coming in as I was leaving and I showed off my books to her.
Karen stopped by for half and hour and browsed the books. I want to do one of those large puppets that is connected to a back pack and you move the hands with large poles. I can't find the name for them, anybody know it? Something large with a simple draping fabric and I'd be wearing a cool outfit to go with it. And some smaller marionettes. Have to start planning!!
Another part of the homework for the year is to watch Bad Santa. I'm about halfway through it now.
Some people just knocked on my door selling DVD's for $3 a pop for 5 for $10. I wish I had some cash. They said they needed rent money but I highly doubt that is what it was for.
Tonight's TBA was Tiago Guedes. I sat next to Carlos and Colleen. Carlos and I chatted about that-show-which-I-shall-not-name.
Guedes' show started by him moving around the stage enacting very specific but general movements. He did a little twirl. He blew on his thumb. He took off his shirt. He put his shirt back on. He trod in tiny little steps. It was for a purpose I knew, but watching it wasn't very exciting. Some music came on and he left the stage. Then he came back and did all the motions again, this time with the props. He started by picking at the floor and pulled up five strands of tape creating a pyramid. He tugged on these chairs attached to fishing line and pulled the props off the chair. The motions with the props led to a spectacular set up. First he strung a line of tape between two poles. Then he laid out some newspapers and taped them together. He cut them free from the floor and put the huge taped together sheet of paper on the line of tape. Then the lights when dim and he lit small sections of the paper on fire and blew them out. He spritzed the sheet with water in two placed and cut a whole in another spot and stuck a roll of blue trash bags through it. He came around to the front with a can of green spray paint and drew two clouds over the water spritzed areas and a mountain below them. The burn marks became tree trunks. The trash bag bundle that was coming down from the mountain was rolled across the stage to form an expansive river. In the front of the stage were more trash bags taped together which he pulled out and created a lake. In the first half he did the bridge pose where you bend your stomach upwards and you are arched on your feet and hands. He did it again creating a bridge over the river. He lay down like he did in the first part and took a little, probably much deserved rest while we admired his handiwork.
Guedes tore down his work too soon and crumpled it and put it in the corner. The trash bag strand he wrapped around his waist and stuffed the loose ones under his shirt making him look like a muscle man. He pulled out the taped together bags fully and ruffled them, filling the stage with blue plastic ripples. He clambered under the waves and wrapped himself into a thick, trash cocoon. He stumbled into one of the chairs and scootched over to the other one and and got into that one and pulled the other chair into his lap. He fell over and ripped free from the cocoon as the music started to play again. He ripped up the left over pieces of tape off the floor and put them on the wall behind him, slowly spelling out "TIAGO". He left and we applauded. He came back twice to revel in the applause. I really enjoyed the performance. It was delightful. I probably destroyed the fun of it with my description though...
Now to look at puppets and pictures of suits.
I went to the Multnomah County Library and got a library card. I was serviced by a trainee. A little girl was crying when her mother took her to check out books. Guess she wanted more books? I was there to get puppet making books for my figure drawing final. Yes it is a bit early to do finals work but I want to get a handle on what the options are early on. Maybe make more than one if I have the time. Plus I've always had an interest in puppet making so this is my chance to do it. Puppets rock. I already have eight things checked out from the PNCA library, I don't know how their puppet section is but I wanted to get a stack of books so I figured it was time to get a library card. The stacks proved most helpful. I ended up with Anatomy of a Doll, A World of Dolls That You Can Make, Doll's, Puppedolls, and Teddy Bears, Making Original Dolls of Composition, Bisque, and Porcelain, Puppets and Puppet Theatre, and And Introduction to Puppets and Puppet-Making. I am so set. To check out you set your card down and enter your pin number and the slowest scanner reads your bar code. Then you set the books down one by one and it slooooooooooowly charges them to your account. Having a person do it would take less time than the machine. Diana was coming in as I was leaving and I showed off my books to her.
Karen stopped by for half and hour and browsed the books. I want to do one of those large puppets that is connected to a back pack and you move the hands with large poles. I can't find the name for them, anybody know it? Something large with a simple draping fabric and I'd be wearing a cool outfit to go with it. And some smaller marionettes. Have to start planning!!
Another part of the homework for the year is to watch Bad Santa. I'm about halfway through it now.
Some people just knocked on my door selling DVD's for $3 a pop for 5 for $10. I wish I had some cash. They said they needed rent money but I highly doubt that is what it was for.
Tonight's TBA was Tiago Guedes. I sat next to Carlos and Colleen. Carlos and I chatted about that-show-which-I-shall-not-name.
Guedes' show started by him moving around the stage enacting very specific but general movements. He did a little twirl. He blew on his thumb. He took off his shirt. He put his shirt back on. He trod in tiny little steps. It was for a purpose I knew, but watching it wasn't very exciting. Some music came on and he left the stage. Then he came back and did all the motions again, this time with the props. He started by picking at the floor and pulled up five strands of tape creating a pyramid. He tugged on these chairs attached to fishing line and pulled the props off the chair. The motions with the props led to a spectacular set up. First he strung a line of tape between two poles. Then he laid out some newspapers and taped them together. He cut them free from the floor and put the huge taped together sheet of paper on the line of tape. Then the lights when dim and he lit small sections of the paper on fire and blew them out. He spritzed the sheet with water in two placed and cut a whole in another spot and stuck a roll of blue trash bags through it. He came around to the front with a can of green spray paint and drew two clouds over the water spritzed areas and a mountain below them. The burn marks became tree trunks. The trash bag bundle that was coming down from the mountain was rolled across the stage to form an expansive river. In the front of the stage were more trash bags taped together which he pulled out and created a lake. In the first half he did the bridge pose where you bend your stomach upwards and you are arched on your feet and hands. He did it again creating a bridge over the river. He lay down like he did in the first part and took a little, probably much deserved rest while we admired his handiwork.
Guedes tore down his work too soon and crumpled it and put it in the corner. The trash bag strand he wrapped around his waist and stuffed the loose ones under his shirt making him look like a muscle man. He pulled out the taped together bags fully and ruffled them, filling the stage with blue plastic ripples. He clambered under the waves and wrapped himself into a thick, trash cocoon. He stumbled into one of the chairs and scootched over to the other one and and got into that one and pulled the other chair into his lap. He fell over and ripped free from the cocoon as the music started to play again. He ripped up the left over pieces of tape off the floor and put them on the wall behind him, slowly spelling out "TIAGO". He left and we applauded. He came back twice to revel in the applause. I really enjoyed the performance. It was delightful. I probably destroyed the fun of it with my description though...
Now to look at puppets and pictures of suits.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
the one week mark
Five TBA Festival shows down, six to go. During painting class we received more vouchers and Karen and Jen couldn't use theirs so I ended up with four total that needed to be redeemed. Also James couldn't go to a show tonight so I took that ticket as well. I'll relax next week. And tomorrow.
So today I pretty much went class to class to lunch lecture to class to class to TBA to home. 8am to 9pm. No coffee. I know I keep bringing up how I'm doing this all without coffee. With enough bragging I may be able to graduate without any of the dark stuff in my veins.
Figure Drawing had a lot of focus on the perspective of the model stand. We all drew it and he went around critiquing what was wrong with it. Mine was along the lines that it was getting wider in the back, which is a fine error. Not the worst looking one and he said my mark making was nice. At least I have the general size of it down and I'm not suffering from a case of covering up sloppy measuring with intricate detail. We couldn't decide if we wanted to do a puppet show or a fashion show so we are doing a puppet fashion show. Yeah. I think I'll have to start working on it now, eh.
Ran into Lindsay twice at school today. Once by the lockers and again in the line for muffins from Yo. She is looking well and apparently Ibanez is loosing the weight he gained in my care. Her name was dropped by two students during the puppet fashion show idea. They want her to do the lights and backdrop for it. "Toon! We want Toon!" they cried.
I'm having trouble locating my final print portfolio from last semester. Yoshi isn't really around at the school so I sent him an email. I really hope they have not been trashed as that was an incredible amount of work in that portfolio.
History of Design delayed discussion because some people couldn't round up the textbooks. What the hell! They never did that at Olympic College. If you didn't have it you didn't have it and class continued on without you. That was really weak. She skimmed through the textbook and talked to us some more about the work. We also had first grabs on the artist we wanted to present. I choose Aubrey Beardsley. She showed us some websites and talked about Queen Victoria. I was rather bored, I hope that once we get into the texts it will pick up. I was up late reading, why can't I expect other people to do the same and come to class prepared?
At least she let us out a little early to grab food (we were expected to go to a lunch lecture). Jen, Karen and I hit up Urban Grind. I had a soda and a disappointing overly chewey grilled cheese panini. It was really not...good.
The chat was supposed to be about gender identity but there was a language barrier between some of the panel members so it wasn't a truly insightful discussion. Their performance art is much more expressive than their words alone (Neal Medley was on the panel).
In painting we went over our self portraits. It is a very small class so it becomes readily more obvious the differences in effort (two didn't have a portrait to present). Bryan's and mine both dealt with the consumption of food. Karen's looked like Karen and have pretty soft supple shades. Jen's looked not really like Jen. It was amazing but a little gaunt (but that girl sure knows how to use lettering in her work). Alaska Erin isn't pulling any colorful punches. The CD cover designs showed a greater rift between the did and the did not. It is far more difficult an assignment than one would originally think. A person has all these ideas and then you have to grab one that would make for an interesting cover...and then POOF where did the ideas go? The one I think I'll work with is a cover for something by Janove Ottesen in which he is in a suit but his head is a tie and his tie is Janove dangling from the shirt collar.
Vouchers were handed out and like I said, more than one came my way. I'm too tired to list them off, but you will be hearing about them as I see them. I rushed to PICA to redeem my vouchers. I should have ridden my bike. I was a bit late returning to class but Farel seemed laid back about it and I fit into the flow of what was going on. We were doing quick drawings of our surroundings and filling them in with whatever color seemed fit. It was a delightful exercise and a good chance to practice washes. I raced home once class got out. I had supplies and an armload of Beardsley books to haul. I stuffed them into my baskets (thank you dad so much for them, I couldn't manage without my side baskets) and rode towards the setting sun.
I drank a large quantity of juice when I got home and got right back on my bike and went to Documenting Dance: Three Films. Mel was there so I sat next to her. The first two movies were documentaries about Anna Halprin. I was nodding off and fell asleep during the first one. Not because it was boring but because I was, and still am, very exhausted. She looked great and I was surprised she was 80 during the time of filming. Well, a life time of postmodern dance will do that to you. The way she talked about connecting with nature really touched me. And the clips of her interacting with the surf and the woods made me miss the nature of Seabeck. I did stay awake through the second film which was mostly about her movements that involved the earth, the first film was more of a history with some great archival footage. It is hard to explain my feelings that came from the movies.
Jerome Bel was the choreographer for the piece in the final film. It centered around a French ballet dancer who was a week and a day away from retiring. She talked about her favorite dances, what she wished she had the chance to dance, and showed how in the Swan Lake many of the background dancers stay still for large portions of time while the "stars" get to do the fancy footwork. From hearing Jerome Bel speak a few days ago, I felt that I understood this piece more. Here was this talented dancer who devoted her life to her craft. She had previously hurt herself and wasn't even supposed to be able to dance again after that. Still she rose to dance in a highly respected theatre for a long, respectful career. She admitted that she thought that she wasn't a star because possibly she was not good enough. Just this one dancer speaking her final words before leaving the stage. A dancer that no one would really think twice about because she is in the back. A dancer was allowed the stage all to herself. It was intimate and beautiful.
When I got back to my bike someone had separated the seat and the rod it is attached to from my bike. It was laying on the ground next to my otherwise untouched bike. Someone put a lot of effort into stealing the flashing reflector from the back of my bike. A flash reflector with a dead battery. I'm just glad they didn't take the seat.
So today I pretty much went class to class to lunch lecture to class to class to TBA to home. 8am to 9pm. No coffee. I know I keep bringing up how I'm doing this all without coffee. With enough bragging I may be able to graduate without any of the dark stuff in my veins.
Figure Drawing had a lot of focus on the perspective of the model stand. We all drew it and he went around critiquing what was wrong with it. Mine was along the lines that it was getting wider in the back, which is a fine error. Not the worst looking one and he said my mark making was nice. At least I have the general size of it down and I'm not suffering from a case of covering up sloppy measuring with intricate detail. We couldn't decide if we wanted to do a puppet show or a fashion show so we are doing a puppet fashion show. Yeah. I think I'll have to start working on it now, eh.
Ran into Lindsay twice at school today. Once by the lockers and again in the line for muffins from Yo. She is looking well and apparently Ibanez is loosing the weight he gained in my care. Her name was dropped by two students during the puppet fashion show idea. They want her to do the lights and backdrop for it. "Toon! We want Toon!" they cried.
I'm having trouble locating my final print portfolio from last semester. Yoshi isn't really around at the school so I sent him an email. I really hope they have not been trashed as that was an incredible amount of work in that portfolio.
History of Design delayed discussion because some people couldn't round up the textbooks. What the hell! They never did that at Olympic College. If you didn't have it you didn't have it and class continued on without you. That was really weak. She skimmed through the textbook and talked to us some more about the work. We also had first grabs on the artist we wanted to present. I choose Aubrey Beardsley. She showed us some websites and talked about Queen Victoria. I was rather bored, I hope that once we get into the texts it will pick up. I was up late reading, why can't I expect other people to do the same and come to class prepared?
At least she let us out a little early to grab food (we were expected to go to a lunch lecture). Jen, Karen and I hit up Urban Grind. I had a soda and a disappointing overly chewey grilled cheese panini. It was really not...good.
The chat was supposed to be about gender identity but there was a language barrier between some of the panel members so it wasn't a truly insightful discussion. Their performance art is much more expressive than their words alone (Neal Medley was on the panel).
In painting we went over our self portraits. It is a very small class so it becomes readily more obvious the differences in effort (two didn't have a portrait to present). Bryan's and mine both dealt with the consumption of food. Karen's looked like Karen and have pretty soft supple shades. Jen's looked not really like Jen. It was amazing but a little gaunt (but that girl sure knows how to use lettering in her work). Alaska Erin isn't pulling any colorful punches. The CD cover designs showed a greater rift between the did and the did not. It is far more difficult an assignment than one would originally think. A person has all these ideas and then you have to grab one that would make for an interesting cover...and then POOF where did the ideas go? The one I think I'll work with is a cover for something by Janove Ottesen in which he is in a suit but his head is a tie and his tie is Janove dangling from the shirt collar.
Vouchers were handed out and like I said, more than one came my way. I'm too tired to list them off, but you will be hearing about them as I see them. I rushed to PICA to redeem my vouchers. I should have ridden my bike. I was a bit late returning to class but Farel seemed laid back about it and I fit into the flow of what was going on. We were doing quick drawings of our surroundings and filling them in with whatever color seemed fit. It was a delightful exercise and a good chance to practice washes. I raced home once class got out. I had supplies and an armload of Beardsley books to haul. I stuffed them into my baskets (thank you dad so much for them, I couldn't manage without my side baskets) and rode towards the setting sun.
I drank a large quantity of juice when I got home and got right back on my bike and went to Documenting Dance: Three Films. Mel was there so I sat next to her. The first two movies were documentaries about Anna Halprin. I was nodding off and fell asleep during the first one. Not because it was boring but because I was, and still am, very exhausted. She looked great and I was surprised she was 80 during the time of filming. Well, a life time of postmodern dance will do that to you. The way she talked about connecting with nature really touched me. And the clips of her interacting with the surf and the woods made me miss the nature of Seabeck. I did stay awake through the second film which was mostly about her movements that involved the earth, the first film was more of a history with some great archival footage. It is hard to explain my feelings that came from the movies.
Jerome Bel was the choreographer for the piece in the final film. It centered around a French ballet dancer who was a week and a day away from retiring. She talked about her favorite dances, what she wished she had the chance to dance, and showed how in the Swan Lake many of the background dancers stay still for large portions of time while the "stars" get to do the fancy footwork. From hearing Jerome Bel speak a few days ago, I felt that I understood this piece more. Here was this talented dancer who devoted her life to her craft. She had previously hurt herself and wasn't even supposed to be able to dance again after that. Still she rose to dance in a highly respected theatre for a long, respectful career. She admitted that she thought that she wasn't a star because possibly she was not good enough. Just this one dancer speaking her final words before leaving the stage. A dancer that no one would really think twice about because she is in the back. A dancer was allowed the stage all to herself. It was intimate and beautiful.
When I got back to my bike someone had separated the seat and the rod it is attached to from my bike. It was laying on the ground next to my otherwise untouched bike. Someone put a lot of effort into stealing the flashing reflector from the back of my bike. A flash reflector with a dead battery. I'm just glad they didn't take the seat.
Monday, September 8, 2008
gouda
Today was very, very productive. I finished my self portrait for painting. It is a view of myself as seen from the point of view of my supper. It is from a photo though, still I like it! My lips look luscious. My skin looks pale.
Read some more of my text, going to do more of that soon. Finished my perspective drawings. Also got some better ideas for my CD project. All in all, I'm quite pleased with my Monday. I watched Never Mind the Buzzcocks while working.
I wanted to go to Ed Wood but couldn't round up anyone. Talked a little bit with Robin and Diana. Diana's part of the conversation didn't go so well.
Hung out with Karen for a little bit. Adam showed some of his new glass sculpture that he has been working on. I may commission a sea slug from him (more so since he said what he was doing was really easy so I can bargain him down with my knowledge).
I slept way in again. Now a new week starts.
Happy Birthday Dad!
Read some more of my text, going to do more of that soon. Finished my perspective drawings. Also got some better ideas for my CD project. All in all, I'm quite pleased with my Monday. I watched Never Mind the Buzzcocks while working.
I wanted to go to Ed Wood but couldn't round up anyone. Talked a little bit with Robin and Diana. Diana's part of the conversation didn't go so well.
Hung out with Karen for a little bit. Adam showed some of his new glass sculpture that he has been working on. I may commission a sea slug from him (more so since he said what he was doing was really easy so I can bargain him down with my knowledge).
I slept way in again. Now a new week starts.
Happy Birthday Dad!
French and Thai Movements
I went to see Jerome Bel's Pichet Kluchun and Myself tonight. It was Cecine's ticket but she wasn't feeling up to it so I went in her place. Matthew S was there as well and we sat and chatted together. We ended up with great seats: third row center. Despite having a great sound system, it was a very intimate performance.
The show was set up as an interview between the famous choreographer, Jerome Bel, and a Thai Khon dancer Pichet Kluchun. As the interview went on it became more and more intimate and exploratory of what performance lends to society. At the start it was a simple instruction of what Khon was and then it brought up all the little meanings and how over time it is lost because so much of Thai culture has been altered for the tourists. The dancing is slow and boring to those who do no understand what all the symbolic movement are. Performances that went for days now go for under an hour or however long the foreigners patience lasts. Pichet stated that he does not perform for tourists because of this change and instead teaches. Bel's choreography was more intended to bring in the audience. Pichet asked Jerome to perform for him. For one part he stood and considered everything, including us. Another time he just danced along with the music like any ordinary person would and lastly he lip synced to "Killing Me Softly" and for one third of the song he lay dead on the stage. He explained that the still time allows the audience to consider their own relation to death and his ordinary dancing keep the equality among the performers and audiences. I loved that, the part about equality. I like how he said out right that art is not meant as a form of elitism.
Bel mentioned that he never gives people their money back because they didn't like a performance. Mostly because their disappointment would have come out of expectations being let down and you can't have any preconceived notions concerning contemporary art. I wish I had taken more notes of what they were saying. It moved me and I was in such a state of joy when the performance ended. I'm so happy I got a chance to see it.
The rest of the day was spent on homework (and non-homework). I'm 2/3's done with my figure drawing homework and have half of my history of design assignments read. Part of the homework is also to say what TBA events we are attending. I have already seen four and a half (Neal Medley, Ice Rod, Ten Tiny Dances, Jerome Bel and a part of Yes Men), and have at least three more to go (Mike Daisy's If You See Something Say Something, Douglas Gordon and Philippe Parreno's Zidane: A 21st Century Portrait, Third Angle New Music Ensemble, and whatever show(s) I use my remaining voucher(s) for). I'm seeing so much more than I did last year and I am loving it!
The show was set up as an interview between the famous choreographer, Jerome Bel, and a Thai Khon dancer Pichet Kluchun. As the interview went on it became more and more intimate and exploratory of what performance lends to society. At the start it was a simple instruction of what Khon was and then it brought up all the little meanings and how over time it is lost because so much of Thai culture has been altered for the tourists. The dancing is slow and boring to those who do no understand what all the symbolic movement are. Performances that went for days now go for under an hour or however long the foreigners patience lasts. Pichet stated that he does not perform for tourists because of this change and instead teaches. Bel's choreography was more intended to bring in the audience. Pichet asked Jerome to perform for him. For one part he stood and considered everything, including us. Another time he just danced along with the music like any ordinary person would and lastly he lip synced to "Killing Me Softly" and for one third of the song he lay dead on the stage. He explained that the still time allows the audience to consider their own relation to death and his ordinary dancing keep the equality among the performers and audiences. I loved that, the part about equality. I like how he said out right that art is not meant as a form of elitism.
Bel mentioned that he never gives people their money back because they didn't like a performance. Mostly because their disappointment would have come out of expectations being let down and you can't have any preconceived notions concerning contemporary art. I wish I had taken more notes of what they were saying. It moved me and I was in such a state of joy when the performance ended. I'm so happy I got a chance to see it.
The rest of the day was spent on homework (and non-homework). I'm 2/3's done with my figure drawing homework and have half of my history of design assignments read. Part of the homework is also to say what TBA events we are attending. I have already seen four and a half (Neal Medley, Ice Rod, Ten Tiny Dances, Jerome Bel and a part of Yes Men), and have at least three more to go (Mike Daisy's If You See Something Say Something, Douglas Gordon and Philippe Parreno's Zidane: A 21st Century Portrait, Third Angle New Music Ensemble, and whatever show(s) I use my remaining voucher(s) for). I'm seeing so much more than I did last year and I am loving it!
Sunday, September 7, 2008
aflong aflongkong
Ten Tiny Dances tonight was only eight because of a few people who couldn't do it. It was at the same venue as last nights performance. The stage was in the middle with some chairs surrounding it. We got there fifteen minutes before the show and it was fairly crowded. We did get a good some just behind a row of chairs. The ladies surrounding us were quite awesome and friendly so we were able to scooch in close together. I was wearing a sparkly loose top and jeans. I was sweating within minutes.
The performance lasted an hour and a half in total but it felt like fifteen minutes. The thing that united all the dances was that they had to be done within a sixteen square foot stage area and four of those feet was a raised stage. First up was Anne Furfey and Margretta Hansen in Shake the Cushions. The two ladies were in red and white swimsuits that were under white button downs. During a part of it they buttoned themselves together and danced. They started slow and shook a lot. Having the space prevents some of the larger and more graceful movements. It lent itself more to contemporary and modern movements. Part of the next dance, with Achana Kumar, was obscured by the stage. The woman had a veil which she pulled away from her face to completely obscure it. Her dance had a lot of Indian movements. I found it surreal until Meshi Chavez took the stage. He blew my mind. Just a guy moving, writhing, twisting, contorting, laughing... He pulled me in and in a blink he was over. He had an amazing amount of control over his body. Even in only his undies, he was still sweating all over the place. A guy had to clean the stage after him.
A lady that looked like she was a Pedersen gal was in the next number. Rinda Chambers and Keely McIntyre came out in nighties and engaged in slow movements. Meshi was a hard act to follow. Vuelto From a Future Dance (what's a vuelto?) was nice when I saw it but I can't remember much about the three women beyond their nice clothes and hair. Didactic Identity was my second favorite, next to Meshi. All the performers had box heads on and each was drawn with slightly different hair and expression. They moved in tight little circles, in unison, or in a chain reaction way. Hard to explain but I could really feel their energy as they moved. Most of the performers seemed to be from 30 to 50, only Meshi and these girls seemed to be 25 and under. Nice to see dancers continuing for so long.
Next up with Taiko Drumming! Slipping Through my Fingers was the title. For the first half the drummers sat and moved handheld drums about as a woman played them as they came into her reach. Then it was her and a man on stage moving fluidly about and drumming the handhelds as the rest played the huge Taiko drums. The beat vibrated my teeth. All of it was accompanied by a violin. Winding down for the night was a short and sweet performance called Hobnobblins: The Elder Alliance. It had Jessica Hinkle, Beth Hoyt, Tommy Smith, Lathrop Walker, and Reggie Watts. It started with Reggie getting a simple beat going. He stood in the center and did a small little hand jive. A woman joined him and stood in the corner of the stage doing a little running dance. A man in a ski mask came and did a different dance in rhythm. The man who introduced the performance stood in the other corner and waved his arms in the air like he just didn't care. Lastly a woman done up like a starlet occupied the final corner and swished her hair about. All their dances were in sync to the music. And one by one they walked off and that was that.
Cecine and I made our escape to the sweet sweet night air. I made myself some late night Gnocchi and now I am ready for another nice sleep.
Even though I got up at 1pm, I still felt like I did a great deal today. I went to PNCA to share some workable fixative with Jen. We talked about last First Thursday, how crazy busy she has been, we got some ice cream and sat by the fountain and enjoyed it. This time it didn't melt across my hand in a hilarious mess. She had to leave for work so I returned to school and caught the end of the Yes Men lecture. These guys go into conferences posing as representatives of large companies and promote joke products and give fake presentations. People take them seriously as well. I wish I had seen the start but I can spend more time in the exhibit they have at school.
Swung by Trader Joe's to get some food stuffs. Mostly frozen vegetables. Robin and Diana came in as I was checking out. Cecine ran into them as well. She must have gotten there right as I was leaving. Heh. Cecine made spaghetti and sauce for the both of us. It was delicious. I did my part of the cooking as well. The "getting the top off the jar" part.
The performance lasted an hour and a half in total but it felt like fifteen minutes. The thing that united all the dances was that they had to be done within a sixteen square foot stage area and four of those feet was a raised stage. First up was Anne Furfey and Margretta Hansen in Shake the Cushions. The two ladies were in red and white swimsuits that were under white button downs. During a part of it they buttoned themselves together and danced. They started slow and shook a lot. Having the space prevents some of the larger and more graceful movements. It lent itself more to contemporary and modern movements. Part of the next dance, with Achana Kumar, was obscured by the stage. The woman had a veil which she pulled away from her face to completely obscure it. Her dance had a lot of Indian movements. I found it surreal until Meshi Chavez took the stage. He blew my mind. Just a guy moving, writhing, twisting, contorting, laughing... He pulled me in and in a blink he was over. He had an amazing amount of control over his body. Even in only his undies, he was still sweating all over the place. A guy had to clean the stage after him.
A lady that looked like she was a Pedersen gal was in the next number. Rinda Chambers and Keely McIntyre came out in nighties and engaged in slow movements. Meshi was a hard act to follow. Vuelto From a Future Dance (what's a vuelto?) was nice when I saw it but I can't remember much about the three women beyond their nice clothes and hair. Didactic Identity was my second favorite, next to Meshi. All the performers had box heads on and each was drawn with slightly different hair and expression. They moved in tight little circles, in unison, or in a chain reaction way. Hard to explain but I could really feel their energy as they moved. Most of the performers seemed to be from 30 to 50, only Meshi and these girls seemed to be 25 and under. Nice to see dancers continuing for so long.
Next up with Taiko Drumming! Slipping Through my Fingers was the title. For the first half the drummers sat and moved handheld drums about as a woman played them as they came into her reach. Then it was her and a man on stage moving fluidly about and drumming the handhelds as the rest played the huge Taiko drums. The beat vibrated my teeth. All of it was accompanied by a violin. Winding down for the night was a short and sweet performance called Hobnobblins: The Elder Alliance. It had Jessica Hinkle, Beth Hoyt, Tommy Smith, Lathrop Walker, and Reggie Watts. It started with Reggie getting a simple beat going. He stood in the center and did a small little hand jive. A woman joined him and stood in the corner of the stage doing a little running dance. A man in a ski mask came and did a different dance in rhythm. The man who introduced the performance stood in the other corner and waved his arms in the air like he just didn't care. Lastly a woman done up like a starlet occupied the final corner and swished her hair about. All their dances were in sync to the music. And one by one they walked off and that was that.
Cecine and I made our escape to the sweet sweet night air. I made myself some late night Gnocchi and now I am ready for another nice sleep.
Even though I got up at 1pm, I still felt like I did a great deal today. I went to PNCA to share some workable fixative with Jen. We talked about last First Thursday, how crazy busy she has been, we got some ice cream and sat by the fountain and enjoyed it. This time it didn't melt across my hand in a hilarious mess. She had to leave for work so I returned to school and caught the end of the Yes Men lecture. These guys go into conferences posing as representatives of large companies and promote joke products and give fake presentations. People take them seriously as well. I wish I had seen the start but I can spend more time in the exhibit they have at school.
Swung by Trader Joe's to get some food stuffs. Mostly frozen vegetables. Robin and Diana came in as I was checking out. Cecine ran into them as well. She must have gotten there right as I was leaving. Heh. Cecine made spaghetti and sauce for the both of us. It was delicious. I did my part of the cooking as well. The "getting the top off the jar" part.
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