Reading Response 3

Identify the article you have selected and why you chose it.

I chose the article “The Art of Instant Gratification” by Stephen Trachtenburg.  I was fascinated by Trachtenburg’s discussion of the evolution of photography.  I also enjoyed Trachtenburg’s views on online networking sites and the fate of photographs as they are put on the internet.  It’s almost as if he is saying the internet is some kind of vacuum from which there is no escape for the poor photograph. 

What are the main points of the essay?

Trachtenburg begins by exploring the evolution of photography.  He first describes its early routes in the nineteenth century, focusing on the “almost biblical” power of photographs in their early years.  Then, with the help of Kodak, ordinary men and women were able to engage in the art of photography, even though they still had to send the camera back to the company for development.  All of that changed in the late 1940’s with the invention of Polaroid and instant-development.  Finally, Trachtenburg discusses digital photography.  He says that with the advent of digital photography, “gratification is faster than instant.” In seconds a person can not only take a photograph but upload it onto the internet and share it with the world.   

How are the ideas or arguments in this article relevant to your own practice as a media artist?

This article offers a fascinating look into the state of photography in the modern world.  It raises the question, “What does the future hold for photography?” Where will technology take photography in the near future?  Will the current trend towards digitalization ultimately be a positive or negative influence on the art world? 

Video/Hardware Response

1. 

Overall, my experience with the camera was positive.  It served its purpose.  I wouldn't go so far as to say it was perfect, but it did what I needed it to do.  It was pretty basic when compared to actual video cameras I have used in the past.  However, the camera did allow me to successfully implement my Image Capturing strategy.  Ideally, I would want a camera that records both sound and video.  This need became apparent when I came across a site in my Drift that was both visually and acoustically interesting.

2. 

I used Apple iMovie because it came free with my computer.  I have never used it before, and my experience with it was very similar to my experience with my camera. It wasn't perfect but it suited my needs well enough.  In the future, I would like to use a more advanced software, like Vegas Video or Final Cut Pro. Cost is the determining factor, unfortunately.

Reading Response 2

Identify the article you have selected and why you chose it.

I chose the article “The Future of Music: Credo” by artist/composer John Cage.  I chose it because I wanted to see how Cage’s predictions regarding music had fared after over seventy years.  This article was originally a lecture Cage made in 1937, in which he espouses the power of electronic media to change the face of music.  Now, in the year 2008, I was curious to compare Cage’s theories with the realities of sound organization in the modern era.    

What are the main points of the essay?

Cage’s main point in this article is that noise will one day be used to produce complete musical pieces, similar to compositions made by traditional instruments.  Cage goes on to contend that most electronic instruments are extremely limited, in that they only imitate the sounds made by “eighteenth- and nineteenth-century instruments.” Cage believes that such instruments, when properly used, would provide an artist with complete control over the structure of the work.  Thus, what Cage calls “intermediary performers,” will become obsolete, as the composer assumes complete control over the compositions.  With these innovations, the only thing that will link the works of the future with those of the past will be form.  Though the forms will be slightly different, they will still be connected, thus allowing us to remain connected to the musical past.      

How are the ideas or arguments in this article relevant to your own practice as a media artist?

Cage’s idea regarding the use of electronics to create music has never had more relevance as it does today.  Modern computers are standardly outfitted with programs, like Apple’s “Garage Band,” capable of creating full-scale musical compositions using nothing more than a standard computer keyboard.  Therefore, I feel that Cage’s dream of musical independence via electronics is well within reach, if it has not already been achieved.  Granted, the programs available today are still relatively new, and have not been used to execute experimental works, but the future holds seemingly limitless possibilities for such programs and electronic sound organization.  

Audio Hardware/Software Response

1. Discuss your experiences with building your microphones. Was this process more or less what you thought it would be? How did your microphone rig work on your Drift walks? Were you able to capture both overall ambiance and extreme closeups? Describe your ideal microphone and recorder setup, with unlimited time and money. 

I had the most difficulty with the technical knowledge required for building the microphones. Stripping the wires and soldering really caught me off guard in terms of finishing my mics on time.  Overall, though, I think my microphones worked really well on my Drift.  They picked up a lot more than I thought they would, considering the cost and time that went into them.  I picked up a lot of general street noise as well as some really interesting "close up" sounds.  Ideally, I would prefer some kind of discreet, wireless mics.  Something that I could use without people realizing that I was recording. A covert mic rig, as it were. It just seemed like people stopped what they were doing as I passed on Drift 1 because of the outlandish appearance of my rig. Wireless would be optimal because I had a tough time working my way through my headphone cord and mic cords, all the while trying to balance my mini-disc recorder. When you Drift for a few hours, things are bound to get tangled. 

2. How was your experience with operating the MiniDisc recorder? How does this recorder compare to other audio equipment you've used? In an ideal world, how would your recorder of choice function?

The mini disc recorder actually worked a lot better than I ever expected.  Part of this apprehension came from my brother, a tecno guru, who, in so many words, told me that a mini disc recorder is a dead technology that has no value today.  Considering I have had virtually no experience with real audio equipment, the mini disc was a great first experience. My perfect recorder would be something I could use with any type of computer. My biggest difficulty with the mini disc recorder was when it came time to transfer everything from the recorder to PC to CD to my Mac.  Ideally, in the future, I would have something I could just plug into my laptop and get right to work. 

3. Discuss the audio-editing software you chose and your history with this application. If you used this software for the first time, explain why you chose this particular application and how you think it helped you to accomplish your creative goals (or proved detrimental). Will you use this software again for future projects?

I chose to use Audacity for Drift 1.  I have never worked with this program before, but both my fellow students as well as my brother told me it was a solid editing program that I could easily use.  I have to admit, they were right.  Audacity was very easy to navigate, even with the limited instruction I had on using it.  I did have some trouble editing a few of my pieces, but I think I can safely chalk that up to my inexperience with editing software in general.  I will definitely use this software on future projects. 

10 Drift Questions

 How different would the Drift have been if I had walked the interior of the Isthmus instead of across it?

 Would walking through Madison during the early morning or late evening have made my recordings more interesting or less interesting?

 If I had used a more defined Drift strategy, one with a definite pattern, how different would my recordings have been?

 Did the set up of my microphone rig affect my recordings?

 Where was the most interesting visual point of my Drift?

 How would elevation changes over the course of the Drift affect my recordings?

  What buildings or structures would offer the most interesting either sonic or visual experience?

 What buildings or structures would offer the most interesting sonic and visual experience?

 Does the sonic or visual experience of a building, structure, or place change as the day continues?

  Would natural areas present in the urban Madison environment maintain their own sonic experience or would sounds of the city overpower it?

Drift Assessment

Describe two situations that aggravated, bothered, shocked or otherwise stressed you during Drift 1 (Please note that the situation CANNOT be technology-related).  

The only situation that really aggravated me during Drift 1 occurred when I was actually out on my Drift.  My microphones were set up as such: I was wearing my headphones and a backpack, with a microphone clipped to either backpack strap, pointing outward.  Granted, I did look a little outlandish, but no more so than the average person walking around downtown Madison on the day of a Badger game.  So imagine my surprise when three or four guys riding in a black Mustang found it necessary to slow down right next to me and hurl obscenities and slurs at me.  Now, I like to think I’m a pretty thick- skinned guy, but seeing as I was trying to do a project and needed all the time I could get, I found myself shouting right back at them.  So they cackled like hyenas for a second and then sped off.  After that I decided I’d earned a break, stopped for some lunch, and found myself literally shaking with anger.  

The biggest stress during Drift 1 came when it was time to make revisions to my Drift 1 Blog.  I’d gone through my recordings and picked out what I thought were the most interesting out of all of them.  Maybe it was my proximity to the work that allowed me to turn a deaf ear to what my TA pointed out: a persistent tapping noise in two of my recordings.  I realized too late what it was.  When I went on my Drift, the cord from my headphones and my microphone cord were bouncing off of each other as I was walking.  I figured with the way my microphones were positioned, they wouldn’t pick up the sound.  I was wrong.  So now, two days before the final project was due, I had to go back and pick out two new, interesting, recordings.  Needless to say, I found myself a little stressed out.  But overall, I’m happy with how the blog turned out.

 Describe, with details, two situations during Drift 1 in which you felt unusually peaceful,     at ease, or contemplative.

One such situation occurred when I passed through the State Capitol.  I’ve lived in Madison for most of my life and visited the Capitol plenty of times, but I’d never heard the inside of the building like that before.  I could hear such incredible things with all of the echoes in the stone hallways and in the Rotunda.  People passing through on tours, parents with their children, the Capitol staff talking about their day, all of it came in crystal-clear for the first time in my life.  For some reason, it gave me an incredible sense of peace knowing that I was back at the Capitol at eighteen years old and it was still able to awe me like when I was a kid.

I felt incredibly at ease near the end of my Drift, when I reached the Monona Terrace.  The sound of Lake Monona against the rocks combined with the overall ambiance of The Terrace gave me that old sense of “Every little thing will be all right.” It was really fascinating as I could look out from the Terrace, a very modern structure, and see the skyline of Madison, which is a stunning combination of the old and the new.  It was as I looked out on the city that I thought of all the people with problems much greater than mine, allowing me to appreciate the fact that I could handle finishing a Drift blog.  The peace of the moment allowed for a very nice end to my Drift.

Describe three surprises or unexpected situations you encountered on your Drift and in the days that followed. 

I was most surprised by the wide variety of sounds I encountered on my Drift.  I have lived in Madison for the majority of my life and never before have I appreciated the sonic diversity of the city.

I was also surprised by how much was required of me in selecting the sounds for my final blog.  I thought that listening to my recordings and simply picking three out would be easy.  Needless to say I found this was not the case.

Finally, I did not expect to make such drastic revisions to my Drift blog after I had posted my original sounds.  I had hoped that as soon as I posted the final sound, I would be done with the blog for at least the foreseeable future. 

Describe your favorite experience, situation, place, or recollection from your Drift. Be specific about what happened, how you felt, how you reacted, and why you think this particular experience affected you so much.

My favorite place from my Drift was my starting point, the Madison Memorial Union.  It was great walking among all the people, near the lake, with the gulls, seeing the boats out on the water.  I felt happy, for one reason or another.  Something about the whole scene just gave me a tremendous sense of happiness and peace.  I don’t know why I felt it so strongly.  The Union was never really any place special for me.  I had no reason to start there, it just seemed like a logical place.  For some reason though, it affected me very deeply.  

Reading Response 1

1. Identify the article you have selected and why you chose it.

I chose the article "The Art of Noises" by Luigi Russolo.  I chose this article because I believe it best exemplifies the message of the Drift project.  In the article, which is a letter Russolo wrote to a composer friend, extols the value of noise as opposed to music.  I feel as though this is the essence of the Drift, as we are encouraged to tune out the traditional sounds we encounter in every day life and seek out that which is unique and interesting, like the noise described by Russolo.

2. What are the main points of the essay?

Russolo's main point is that man must begin to look past music as the main source of auditory enjoyment and begin appreciating the power and intricacy of noise present all around us.  In Russolo's opinion, conventional music is simply boring:  "The first bar brings the boredom of familiarity to your ear and anticipates the boredom of the bar to follow." Noise, on the other hand, offers a whole new world of exciting sound possibilities.  For noise is not necessarily loud or discordant.  Russolo goes on to list several pleasant and enjoyable noises, such as "the whistling of the wind, the roar of the waterfall, the gargling of the brook" etc. Russolo concludes with the idea that he has brought about a renewal of music with "The Art of Noises."

3. How are the ideas or arguments in this article relevant to your own practice as a media artist?

Russolo's letter all but lays out the practices of the modern media artist.  The idea of noise as an art opens up almost infinite possibilities to a fledgling media artist, as I aspire to be.  Russolo's argument against the conventional musical arrangement of sounds provides excellent guidance for the Drift project, as well as for my future in the world of art and media.  

Soundwalk Respone

Were you able to find places and spaces where you could really listen?

Not so much places, but times when we were on the soundwalk offered up some really interesting moments when sounds were incredibly distinct and interesting. 

Was it possible to move without making a sound?

In my experience, no. Every time I took a step, my sneakers would scrape against the pavement or crunch some twigs and rocks under my feet.

What happened when you plugged your ears, and then unplugged them?

I was able to differentiate many different types of sounds from, what was before, unintelligible noise. 

In your sound log exercise, what types of sounds were you able to hear? List them.

Aside from the usual traffic noise, I also heard intermittent insect buzzing, rustling paper, sneakers scraping on pavement, bouncing soccer ball, truck bed rattling, dog yelping, kids playing, and a buzz saw whirring

Were you able to differentiate between sounds that had a recognizable source and those sounds you could not place?

Unfortunately, no. For the most part, without a recognizable source, I wasn’t able to place the sounds

Human sounds? Mechanical sounds? Natural sounds?

Were you able to detect subtleties in the everpresent drone?

Every so often a sound would be very distinguishable from the the ongoing drone of traffic, but subtleties were hard to detect.

Extremely close sounds? It was easier to detect subtleties. Sounds coming from very far away? I wasn’t able to detect subtleties

What kinds of wind effects were you able to detect (for example, the leaves of trees don't make sounds until they are activated by the wind)? The wind proved to be more of a hinderance than anything, as the sound of the wind and the leaves more often than not obscured other sounds around me.

Were you able to intervene in the urban landscape and create your own sounds by knocking on a resonant piece of metal, activating wind chimes, etc.?

Unfortunately, I was not able to intervene in the landscape during this soundwalk.

Do you feel you have a new understanding or appreciation of the sounds of our contemporary landscape/cityscape?

Yes, I feel as though I appreciate the varied and diverse sounds present all around us.

How do you think your soundwalk experience will affect your practice as a media artist? It will provide me with a new appreciation of sound in my future work

Drift 1 Strategy

In order to discover interesting parts of my new city, I plan to take a soundwalk. On this soundwalk, I will use the following strategy: I will use a map of Milwaukee while navigating Madison. Using my Milwaukee map, I will flip a quarter to determine whether I should turn left (heads) or right (tails).