Extra Credit: DIY Art
I took an old coffee table frame, wrapped it in organic canvas, and used ingredients from around the house to create and abstract piece of art. I used both my hands and hair bruses to create the abstract design. Some of the mediums used are as follows: crisco shortening, ketchup, chalk, spray paint, food coloring, amongst others. This is an example of do-it-yourself art for cheap. I sealed the mediums to the canvas by using hairspray (and old trick I learned back in grade school).
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Final Blog
“What is alternative media?’ Is it the means of how one goes about communicating something or is it the subject being communicated?
Throughout the semester, we have been studied a number of alternative media outlets: mashups, hacking, Indie bands, etc. Therefore, I think I have obtained a better understanding of what “guerilla media” is. Not only is it a way to communicate that is off the traditional path, but it also encompasses the message that is being portrayed. For example, patrons of the DIY movement do not create art/crafts for mass media attention or fame; rather they do it to because they have an inert desire to do so. Similarly, this theme is found in the world of Zines.
The topic that I think was the most interesting during the semester was that of hacking. Prior to taking this class and reading topics of the matter, I believed hacking to be a movement of anarchy and immaturity. However, after discussing hacking in class and debating the “good” that come from it…I’ve had a change of heart. In general I find this true about many of the alternative media outlets that we’ve covered during the semester.
I must rant a bit about today’s class, April 7, 2009. I had no idea who any of the bands were that we spoke about in regards to Indie rock. I sat dumbfounded as the class discussed “DJ xyz” and so and so radio stations. However, I do appreciate the opportunity to expand my horizons in the genre of “alternative music”. I do question however, “How can Indie music be “anti-mainstream” but still have itunes provide a special section for the genre?” itunes has become a staple for all music worldwide; therefore, I ponder how “alternative” music remains alternative. We hit on the topic a bit during class today, and I hope to delve into that question further in the remaining weeks of class.
Furthermore, has anyone been watching American Idol lately? In case you haven’t, the “front runner”, Adam Lambert is a far cry from what Middle America finds music. I would consider his style, look, and sexuality ALTERNATIVE. American Idol, the highest rated show in television, the biggest stage for mainstream music, yet Adam Lambert style is not mainstream.
Check out the following performances of Adam Lambert:
Moving on, I find it ironic that groupies of alternative music yearn so desperately to have something to consider their own. For example, the documentary we watched in class showed countless numbers of people conforming to face paint and clown costumes. Though they don’t want to be represented as “followers” or “conformers”, isn’t that exactly what they are doing by ALL dressing the part.
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to hack or not to hack…
This hacking discussion during last class period has really gotten me thinking. Is it or is it not a form of alternative media. Initially, I had disagreed with the readings. I had believed that hacking was a ridiculous form of anarchy. Someone “breaking” into personal material to prove a point, to me, seems obnoxious. Where is a fine line drawn between hacking for a cause and trespassing? However, after doing some on-line research, I’ve changed my opinion. For example, hackers in China that are trying to break down the firewall is a good source of hacking. Because of China’s policy of what can/can not be viewed via Internet, many citizens go without major news stories/events/ etc. Additionally, the group called Anonymous that strives to diminish the “cult” following of Scientology is another example of good hacking. This group has hacked into the Scientology website and has altered some of the “religions” messages and texts. I guess this is a sort of trespassing, but a religion that takes away human rights should be stood up against.
check out the following website:
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/hacker-howto.html
Final Project option:
My group has discussed focusing on street art throughout the Edgewater neighborhood of Chicago. This neighborhood has been going through some gentrification throughout the past few years. The specific art is focused on underpasses, and youth centers. This art is a conglomeration of broken glass and representative of the history and new path that Edgewater is taking.
We are in the beginning of our research on the street art, so there is more to come.
In the mean time, please check out the following websites:
http://www.lynnbecker.com/repeat/brynmawr/yourunderpassonlsd.htm
http://cbs2chicago.com/local/edgewater.bricolage.mural.2.778068.html
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the documentary about the protests in Seattle was quite amazing. i consider myself a documentary buff, but this movie was a bit different. i thought it to be very provocative that the film crew used several different angles and style of filming to capture the essence of the protests.
I also found the contrast between the documentary and the mainstream movie, battle in Seattle, were so different. In the documentary, there was a bit of violence but mostly a glimpse of the events that took place during the WTO conference. In contrast, battle in Seattle, was filled with romance, graphic violence, and battles between protesters. Furthermore, battle in Seattle portrayed the protesters as rioters instead of civilians standing up for their rights.
I also thought i would use this space to talk about my ideas for our upcoming paper. I think i’m going to focus on how mainstream media has become obsessed with the crafting/diy movement. For example, one can’t turn on a tv without seeing a show about renovations, home improvements, do it your self weekend projects, etc. TLC, HGTV, and the DIY network are on constant overdrive with shows about how to do things on your own.
In the not so distant past, it was thought to be a bit nerdy to perform crafts and art projects. However, now it has essentially taken over the cable networks. This past summer, I went to the annual Chicago antique fair located int he west loop. Not only was there a vast array of antiques and collectibles, but a mainstay of craft projects. In fact, there were seemingly more craft/art booths than antiques. The crafts ranged from bead jewelry to hand made hats and clothing, art, and pottery. I was most surprised that most of the people in attendance were not the stereotypical granola groupies. Rather, they were young entrepreneurs and hipsters looking to capitalize on the recent popularity of the craft movement. All of this recent popularity has motivated me to look further into how mainstream media and social life has taken this once dorky movement and made into a popular culture.
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CMUN 297 Blog Post #2
Call me naive, but I’ve never heard of the alternative media outlet called “mashups”. After visiting our wiki, http://www.wetpaint.com, I’ve become an addict of the music monster mash. I’ve gone through nearly every song mashup listed on the website, and must say that my favorite is the combination between Enya and Black Eyed Peas. Who would have ever thought that these two very well respected artists would have ever combined their works?!
That is what so great about the idea of a mashup. Two, sometimes three, artists that would seemingly never been put together have been combined to make a great musical masterpiece. I look forward to learning more about this unknown sub-culture of music.
Someone please tell me that i’m not the only person who has never heard of this genre before…
Another topic that i take great interest in is that of the DYI movement. I find it fascinating that anyone can take and idea and essentially bring it to life. The network station HGTV has me completely memorized. I look forward to getting home, having a glass of wine, and watching the creative craft movement that has taken over my TiVo. There is a show for just about every project. For example, there is a show about how someone can take their house and turn parts of it into a rental space, Income Property. In this show, a professional educates homeowners how they can reduce their monthly mortgage by converting their basement, for example, into a fully functioning home for renters. Furthermore, the homeowners don’t simply sit back and watch the transformation happen. They are an integral part of the process. I can’t help but think that perhaps this DYI movement started with the conception of Trading Spaces. I mean, there is an entire network now dedicated to this DYI movement…namely called the DYI network.
I look forwad to learning more about both of these newly found obsessions. I hope to get a few suggestions of websites, TV stations, etc that will help feed my new addiction.
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what makes media alternative?
I asked the question in class today, “what is alternative media?’ Is it the means of how one goes about communicating something or is it the subject being communicated?
I suggest that Guerrilla Media is (should be) considered by the means that the message is portrayed. For example, a company that hires people to dress in a particular costume to promote a new television show, product, ,etc would be considered alternative marketing. This is a method that causes people to question the agenda/message/the why?. The example given in class regarding Out Magazine, in my opinion, is not a form of Guerrilla Media. Though the message is alternative, the means of distribution is not…a magazine. Out Magazine speaks of gay life, pop culture, fashion, music, etc. But as an openly gay male this lifestyle is not alternative. That being said, anyone could consider subjects “alternative” simply because it may not be their lifestyle or culture. Whereas I don’t consider Out Magazine alternative, I wouldn’t consider Playboy alternative either. Point being, just because I’m not as well versed in something as someone else, doesn’t necessarily make it guerrilla or alternative!
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