The video from yesterdays post has been removed my the user (me)… I’ve been re-edting and re-recordng sound all morning… the new verson which I’m somewhat happier with (particually the sound and the fact the avatar moves a little more) is attached to ths post! I’ve written a very quick descripton of the video as well, it reads; My Avatar defines its extistance by exploring verbally what it means to be the second of something and what it means, historically and culturally, to be an avatar.
I’ve also made some decissons into how it will be shown (although nothings final) I think *define* Avatar is a part of a larger installation explorng identity online much more generally. Ths installaton is possably going to be called db8 dgtl idntty. My notes toward ths larger work discuss projections and work on monitors, ‘plinths’ made out of alumininum angle wth plywood shelves (begining to reference minimal/systammatic sculpture re: sol le witt), each work will have sound and visual which will create the effect of lots of people talking over each other/to each other, which mirrors how we construct our self image. I’m also considering signs constructed in a simular way to the plinths with graphic symbols contnuing the exploraton of digital identity.
The rest of the day will be spent sourcing more script and some actors for the making of the other videos for db8 dgtl idntty.
My Avatar defines its extistance by exploring verbally what it means to be the second of something and what it means, historically and culturally, to be an avatar.
I’ve been in Leamington Spa Art Gallery and Museum constantly for a few weeks now; working on the install of Henry Moore in the Art Councl Collection. It looks good and has been increadbly popular over the past few days it has been open!
In other news todays been filled with workng on a new piece of video… theres a version of in this post (down at the bottom there), it is however very rough, the sound will be compleatly re-made tomorrow and I’m yet to decide how it exists in space but I think it may have other videos with it, possably exploring other elements of digital life. Its titled *define* Avatar and in it I have digitally manipulated every feature of myself whilst explorng how we present and preceive ourselves through technology using a dictonary.
Cardall Collecton work continues; we recently had a meetng discussing becoming involved in Warwickshire Open Studios. I proposed publishing an evolved version of the pamphlet; the orginal of which has been shipped out to over 100 people worldwide as well as being available to pick up in various galleries. I also proposed constructing a distribution architecture node; an idea I started developing with the body of work Temp. DA/LL Network.
more info on all of this soon!
*define* Avatar work-in-progress
The private view / final event of the graduate residency at The Lombard Method happened on friday! Despite it being -8 in the building it was well attended and people seemed to like the work!
I showed 5 identical A1 prints; this repition was refrencing the Copy + Paste / file sharing culture through which they were created, the repitition also enforced the idea of networks and in a more general way they provided a backdrop to the proformance. I also had some neon a little away from these prints which extended the idea of a backdrop but also acted as a remote method of thinking about the studio group as a node in an extending network of (young) artist led activity. The final thing I showed was 9 scripts positioned on a quickly assembled table.
Despite all the refrences to performance there was no performance happening. It will be performed at another artist led space at some point in the future which will enforce the idea of studio groups constructing a network. In place of the actual characters (whom were all lombard studio holders, myself and winston) I will use other artists so that they become avatars for the original cast.
Cardall Collection wise I have started collating my research on Lilley Smith and have made an appointment with what is now a hotel but was once his eye and ear hospital where I will document various things that refernce his work, particually a large plaque on the front of the building!
I have also made a new body of work titled 10 Commandments, it consists of 10 animated GIFs and I’ve put them all up online @ www.ryanhughesprojects.tumblr.com I’m now developing how they will exist in a gallery context and will give more information on that soon. In the mean time I have written this text to further explain the work:
10 Commandments provides a newly conceived version of the religious notion of the 10 commandments; less concerned with worship than they are with politics. They are a series of quotes, from authors, artists and musicians, by which to live your life as well as to contextualise my practice. They provide an alternative to capitalism. They provide an alternative to organised religion.
The show contains 10 animated GIF’s; each piece of work has an image as its base on top of which the Commandments are animated. The images are taken straight from Google and the text straight from books; this making process enforces 2 of the commandments; namely, Decriminalize File Sharing and Collaboration is the Answer. The American anarchist Hakim Bey has discussed this approach to production by saying “we are the thieving magpies or the hunter/gatherers of the world of CommTech”.
