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the MTAA-RR

[splash image]

MTAA-RR:

Dec 31, 2008

Tom Marioni at SFMOMA

posted at 01:20 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid



The Act of Drinking Beer with Friends Is the Highest Form of Art,” a social gathering hosted by Tom Marioni at SFMOMA. The gathering is an artwork that is part of a current exhibition “The Art of Participation: 1950 to Now.”

via Rudolf Freiling on Facebook… permanent link to this post

Dec 26, 2008

Seasons Greetings ‘08

posted at 22:39 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

To accompany our well wishes, some winter-ish imagery:
snowmen.jpg

Have a great 09! permanent link to this post

Dec 23, 2008

Support AFC

posted at 02:19 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

From AFC:
• My goal is to raise $6,000 by January 1, 2009.

• Momenta Art has generously offered to umbrella Art Fag City under their 501-C3 status so readers can write off their donations. They process all on and offline contributions, and ensure the funds are not used for profit purposes.

• By contributing to this fundraiser, donors are not only supporting the efforts of one blogger, but staking a claim for the value of independent blogs in a climate of mainstream media arts cutbacks.


Read more and find the PayPal link here! permanent link to this post

Dec 21, 2008

Photos from DEC OTO

posted at 20:38 GMT by M.River in /news/mriver

DEC OTO

Photos from 10 More Awkward Metaphors for Sex and Death (The OTO Holiday Show) now up at OTO’s Flickr Set


HAL from mriver on Vimeo.

Meridith and Kai’s video of the Live Dramatic Reading (Princess Leia’s Hologram Message)
permanent link to this post

Dec 19, 2008

black play doh

posted at 14:02 GMT by M.River in /news/mriver

Here is the basic recipe for the “Black Play Doh” I’m making for OTO on Saturday. It’s a modified version of a recipe found on the net with some trial and error.

black play doh

Ingredients

2 cups flour

2 cups warm water

1 cup salt

2 Tablespoons vegetable oil

1 Tablespoon cream of tartar (optional for improved elasticity)

1 bottle food coloring (Mc-Cormick, black )

Mix all of the ingredients together, and stir over low heat. When the dough pulls away from the sides, remove the pan from heat. Let the dough cool.

black play doh

Place the dough into a large bowl and knead until it becomes smooth. Shape the dough into a ball. Make a divot in the center of the ball, and drop some food coloring in. Fold the dough over, working the food color through the body of the dough, trying to keep the raw dye away from your hands (gloves are best). Work the dye through, a bit at a time, until the entire bottle is empty.
black play doh

When you’re done store it in an air-tight container.

black play doh

So, try it at home. If you get a good batch , bring it to OTO and we’ll toss it on the pile. See you on Sat. permanent link to this post

Dec 18, 2008

Sad To See Ya Go. Give Me A Call Some Day

posted at 14:30 GMT by M.River in /news/mriver

sad to see ya go

Hope you will stop by the OTO show Saturday. If you are out and about in NYC that night, please check out 31 Grand closing one night show. Tim and I are sending over one of my paintings – “Sad To See Ya Go. Give Me A Call Some Day” (see above) to give our final respect.

Death Is Not The End
At 31GRAND
143 Ludlow St. NY, NY 10002
Saturday, December 20, 2008, 6-9 PM
Music by DJ Kid Magic

We’re sad to announce 31GRAND is closing after nine wonderful years. We’ve had a great run, and all the artists we have worked with have been such amazingly wonderful talented people. Please join us on this Saturday for the exhibition, Death is Not the End, to celebrate their talent and toast a sad farewell.

Artists include: Adam Stennett, Barnaby Whitfield, Carol “Riot” Kane, Elizabeth Huey, Fanny Bostrom, Randy Polumbo, Francesca Lo Russo, Helen Garber, Jade Dylan, Jason Clay Lewis, Jason Cole Majer, Jason Weatherspoon, Jeff Wyckoff, Jeph Gurecka, Joel Adas, Jon Elliott, Karen Heagle, Kristen Schiele, Kyle Simon, Lauren Gibbes, Magalie Guérin, Maureen Cavanaugh, Megan Leborious, Michael Anderson, Michael Cambre, Gina Magid, Michael Pope, MTAA, Nelson/Electric Chaircut, Orly Cogan, Paul Brainard, Rebecca Chamberlain, Sean McDevitt, Spencer Tunnick, Tim Wilson, Tom Sanford, Ursula Brookbank, and MORE permanent link to this post

AFTP update: Audience

posted at 13:56 GMT by M.River in /news/mriver

1. stairs

Here is the script as voted by museum and online viewers so far…

“Automatic for the People (aka We Solemnly Promise That No One Will Get Naked)” will be held in SFMOMA’s freight elevator on 02/07/09 for the exact same length as R.E.M.’s “Automatic for the People.” We will use house plants, 2x4s, lawn chairs and a PA as props. We will refer to Marcel Duchamp, chat rooms, ukuleles, and take-out food. During the performance we will be dressed as robots.

This week’s vote…
Audience
permanent link to this post

Dec 09, 2008

curt at oto

posted at 23:45 GMT by M.River in /news/mriver


Curt Cloninger at OTO from mriver on Vimeo.

9:54 min. documentation from Curt Cloninger’s 6 hour performance at Over The Opening (OTO)

Pop Mantra #3 (Tonight)

Excerpt: “tonight / wait, now” from The Ramones song “I Just Wanna Have Something To Do”
Duration: 6 Hours
Media: Electric Guitar, Voice, Black Felt Blindfold, Black Converse All Stars, Time
Where: Over The Opening, Brooklyn, New York, US.
When: 6pm - 12 midnight, Saturday, November 15, 2008.


update -
tonight/wait, now
in real life
permanent link to this post

Dec 06, 2008

DEC 20 OTO

posted at 15:31 GMT by M.River in /news/mriver

DEC OTO

On December 20, 2008 from 7pm - 10pm, Over The Opening (OTO) is pleased to present new works by Michael Sarff -

10 More Awkward Metaphors for Sex and Death (The OTO Holiday Show)

1. Live Dramatic Reading (Princess Leia’s Hologram Message)
2. Live Dramatic Reading (Disconnection of HAL 9000’s Higher Functions)
3. Group Assemble (Home Brewed Black Play-Doh)
4. Group Assemble (Puzzle of Google Map of Puzzle Location)
5. Give Away (edition of Tyvek Jump Suits)
6. Give Away (5 Paintings of Market Collapse Charts and 5 Paintings of Birth Rates Charts)
7. Wheat Paste Posters of 6 Word Cliches (Youth Is Wasted On The Young x10 )
8. Wheat Paste Posters of 6 Word Cliches (Let The Punishment Fit The Crime x10 )
9. Screen (1 Hour Sunset 90 Degrees Counter Clockwise - Summer 08)
10. Screen (1 Hour Sunrise 90 Degrees Clockwise - Winter 08)


LEIA: Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi, you’re my only hope.
HAL: Hey, Dave, what are you doing?



About OTO - ONCE A MONTH, FROM 7PM TO 10PM, THE ARTIST COLLECTIVE MTAA CONVERT THEIR N6TH ST. BROOKLYN STUDIO INTO A VENUE FOR THE PRESENTATION OF TIME-BASED ART.

Map and Directions to OTO
permanent link to this post

Walton @ JetBlue

posted at 15:23 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

jet_blue_walton.jpg
photo credit: Lee Walton’s mom

Lee Walton’s videos are being featured in the JetBlue Terminal 5 at JFK until January 1. Organized by Creative Time. permanent link to this post

Dec 04, 2008

AFTP Vote #5 is now up

posted at 18:57 GMT by M.River in /news/mriver

AFTP() at SFMOMA

Automatic for the People (aka We Solemnly Promise That No One Will Get Naked) will be held in SFMOMA”s frieght elevator on 02/07/09 for the exact same length as R.E.M.’s “Automatic for the People” album. We will use house plants, 2x4s, lawn chairs, and a PA as props. We will refer to Marcel Duchamp, chat rooms, ukuleles, and take-out food during the performance.

This week’s live vote… Actions
permanent link to this post

Mandiberg’s Bright Bike

posted at 14:13 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid


Bright Bike

More here: http://www.theredproject.com/brightbike permanent link to this post

Nov 30, 2008

dontletthedoorhityouonthewayout.com

posted at 20:16 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

From Sorrel Ahlfeld and Fred Benenson…

The joy created by George W. Bush’s impending departure from the Presidency could only possibly be overshadowed by the excitement of Barack Obama’s election.

So now there are two reasons to celebrate!

I’m know you’ve already celebrated Obama’s victory but have you taken the time to really think about what the end of these last 8 years means to you? The end of an era?

I asked myself that question recently and decided that the best way to commemorate the long awaited date of 1-20-09 was to assemble a collection of images and words that could be presented to GWB upon his departure representing the feelings of the American people.

So, as a way to say goodbye to these last 8 years, my friend Fred and I have created a site called, “Don’t Let The Door Hit You On The Way Out” where we are collecting farewell notes for Bush. Think of it as catharsis politics:

http://dontletthedoorhityouonthewayout.com/

The basic idea is that you e-mail us images, words, and ideas and we’ll publish them into a book that we’ll try and get into Bush’s hands before Obama is sworn in. We’re looking for as much participation in this as possible, so please share this link far and wide.

I know it’s easy to put things like this off, but if you feel motivated to share your feelings about the last 8 years (I for one have been pretty steamed) please consider contributing something to the collection before the end of the year.
permanent link to this post

Nov 29, 2008

Hey, M.River, what’s up with Tintype?

posted at 15:47 GMT by M.River in /news/mriver

njcat

click here for more info on Tintype is sleeping (REM)…
permanent link to this post

Nov 27, 2008

Vote #4 is now up

posted at 12:37 GMT by M.River in /news/mriver

9. freight elevator

The score so far…

Automatic for the People (aka We Solemnly Promise That No One Will Get Naked) will be held in SFMOMA”s frieght elevator on 02/07/09 for the exact same length as R.E.M.’s “Automatic for the People” album with house plants, 2x4s, lawn chairs, and a PA as the props

This week’s live vote… Cultural References
permanent link to this post

Nov 20, 2008

Prop Vote is Up

posted at 16:58 GMT by M.River in /news/mriver

AFTP() at SFMOMA

Here is score so far…

Automatic for the People
(aka We Solemnly Promise That No One Will Get Naked)
will be held in SFMOMA”s frieght elevator
for the exact same length as R.E.M.’s “Automatic for the People” album.

This week’s live vote… Props
permanent link to this post

Nov 17, 2008

curt’s oto part 2

posted at 02:18 GMT by M.River in /news/mriver

curt's oto part 2

Photos from Curt’s performance double header (in real life)is now up on OTO’s Flickr set.

Curt is in a booth at the Black Rabbit Bar in Greenpoint Brooklyn for 12 hours (1pm to 1 am) It’s still going on. Stop in and say “Hey” permanent link to this post

Nov 16, 2008

photos from curt’s oto part 1

posted at 17:00 GMT by M.River in /news/mriver

curt

Photos from the first leg of Curt’s performance double header (playing a loop of “tonight / wait, now” from The Ramones song “I Just Wanna Have Something To Do” for 6 hours) is now up on OTO’s Flickr set.

For the second phase, Curt will be in a booth at the Black Rabbit Bar in Greenpoint Brooklyn for 12 hours (1pm to 1 am). Stop in and say “Hey.” I’ll send some pictures from the booth later in the afternoon. permanent link to this post

Nov 15, 2008

tonight / wait, now

posted at 14:05 GMT by M.River in /news/mriver



Artist: Curt Cloninger
Excerpt: “tonight / wait, now” from The Ramones song “I Just Wanna Have Something To Do”

Duration: 6 Hours

Media: Electric Guitar, Voice, Black Felt Blindfold, Black Converse All Stars, Time 

Where: Over The Opening, Brooklyn, New York, US.

When: 6pm - 12 midnight, Saturday, November 15, 2008.
more info at OTO


ready for curt permanent link to this post

Nov 12, 2008

Location, location, location

posted at 00:36 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

We launched our new project at SFMOMA last Saturday with a lecture/performance/live poll at the museum. The performance consisted of a slide lecture where we gave some background on MTAA, explained the Automatic for the People: ( ) project and then conducted a live vote on where the Automatic for the People: ( ) performance would take place in the museum.

The vote was really fun and people really enjoyed it. (An image of the ballot we used is below.) We went over each location on the ballot and M.River gave a quick pro and con. Then we opened the floor to debate on each of the different locations in the museum. That went really well with the audience having lots of funny and interesting reasons to choose this or that location. In the end however, it was a landslide victory for…

The freight elevator

On Feb 7th, 2009 MTAA will be doing something in SFMOMA’s freight elevator. Help us decide what by voting at the AFTP website!

AFTP_ballot02.gif permanent link to this post

Nov 11, 2008

AFTP() at SFMOMA 2

posted at 02:14 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

sfmoma_mtaa_walltext2.jpg

We suggest that you listen to the museum audio tour when visiting the Automatic for the People: ( ) website to vote.

First, go to mtaa.net/vote.

Then, dial: 415-294-3609, 424#.

Consider the choices very carefully while you listen to the audio tour. permanent link to this post

Nov 10, 2008

aftp() at sfmoma

posted at 18:20 GMT by M.River in /news/mriver

AFTP() at SFMOMA permanent link to this post

Nov 08, 2008

Automatic for the People: ( ) launches

posted at 17:37 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

AFTP_target_graphic.gif

Our new project is live! It was commissioned by SFMOMA for The Art of Participation: 1950 to Now.

Automatic for the People: ( )
Dictate the details of a contemporary art performance! Each week, from November 8 through January 21, vote in a new poll to determine different elements. On February 7, we’ll perform live using the script shaped by your votes.

So get on over there and vote! And then visit each week on Thursdays for the new poll. If you can’t remember to do that, subscribe to the RSS feed to be notified when a new poll goes live (there will be roughly one each week until Jan 21). permanent link to this post

Nov 05, 2008

JUBILATION!!!

posted at 04:00 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

yeswedid.jpg

Joy, joy, joy! permanent link to this post

Nov 04, 2008

Vote for Barack Obama

posted at 18:40 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid



Yes we can! permanent link to this post

Nov 02, 2008

Two MTAA events in the bay area THIS WEEK!

posted at 14:07 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

Opening Performance Lecture & Museum Hall Meeting
as part of The Art of Participation: 1950 to Now, curated by Rudolf Frieling
SFMOMA
Saturday Nov 8th @ 3PM

We’ll conduct the official launch of our new SFMOMA-commissioned project Automatic for the People: ( ) with a performative lecture, slideshow and drawing.

See SFMOMA’s website for more info about the exhibition and other events happening on Saturday, November 8th.

We’ll be announcing more info about Automatic for the People: ( ) on Nov 6th so stay tuned…

+++

The Name of This Band is Talking Heads MTAA
as part of Takeovers & Makeovers: Artistic Appropriation, Fair Use and Copyright in the Digital Age
Berkeley Art Museum on the campus of UC Berkeley
Friday Nov 7th @ 1:45PM

We’ll be presenting an overview of some of our work that deals with the themes of the conference. We’ll go over some of our oldies… the updates, The Pirated Movie and other pieces. Plus there will be something brand new.

This is a two day conference (Nov 7–8) with lots happening! Don’t forget to check out all the other speakers and schedule at the website. permanent link to this post

Oct 31, 2008

boo 08

posted at 12:53 GMT by M.River in /news/mriver

pumpkin

t.whid update
This has absolutely nothing to do with Halloween, but here’s a review of Our Political Work on ‘…might be good.’

m.river update
Also, here’s a review (in french) of Annie Abrahams The Big Kiss at OTO on ‘Fluctart’ permanent link to this post

Oct 30, 2008

Rhizome membership drive Oct 29–Dec 31, 2008

posted at 19:46 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

rhiz logo

Scrape together your pennies and then give ‘em to Rhizome!
Rhizome’s annual membership drive will run from October 29 through midnight December 31st, 2008. Our goal is $30,000 — a figure that is completely vital to our success amidst a particularly difficult year in the arts.

Now is the time to support Rhizome, to make a contribution towards an organization with an open and innovative structure and singular mission to further internet and new media art. Contribute now and help us keep this field moving energetically forward, through commissioning, preservation, criticism and participatory programs, in 2009!


http://www.rhizome.org/support/ permanent link to this post

Oct 29, 2008

pencil_2

posted at 12:29 GMT by M.River in /news/mriver

pencil_2

m.river adds — I think t.whid posted a jpeg of a golf pencil last night to remind me to buy some at Staples this morning for our show. It was that or he really liked this pencil jpeg. Anyway, here is another pencil.

twhid adds
I really liked the pencil image (it’s invaded all parts of my FB account as well). Once posted, I realized it would be a good reminder for you too :-) permanent link to this post

pencil

posted at 00:50 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

s0020374_enl.jpg permanent link to this post

Oct 28, 2008

Opening Performance Lecture & Museum Hall Meeting

posted at 14:11 GMT by M.River in /news/mriver

automatic for the people ( ) - mtaa

On view at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) from November 8, 2008 through February 8, 2009, The Art of Participation: 1950 to Now presents an overview of the rich and varied history of participatory art practice during the past six decades, exploring strategies and situations in which the public has taken a collaborative role in the art-making process.

Organized by SFMOMA Curator of Media Arts Rudolf Frieling.
http://www.sfmoma.org/exhibitions/306

MTAA’s Opening Performance Lecture & Museum Hall Meeting
for the artwork Automatic For the People: ( )
Saturday Nov 8, 2008 @ 3PM

Artist in The Art of Participation: 1950 to Now:
Abramović/Ulay; Vito Acconci; Francis Alÿs; Chip Lord, Curtis Schreier and Bruce Tomb (former members of Ant Farm); John Baldessari; Joseph Beuys; Blank & Jeron and Gerrit Gohlke; George Brecht; Jonah Brucker-Cohen and Mike Bennett; John Cage; c a l c and Johannes Gees; Janet Cardiff; Lygia Clark; Minerva Cuevas; Maria Eichhorn; VALIE EXPORT; Harrell Fletcher and Jon Rubin; Fluxus Collective; Jochen Gerz; Kit Galloway and Sherrie Rabinowitz; Matthias Gommel; Felix Gonzalez-Torres; Dan Graham; Hans Haacke; Lynn Hershman Leeson; Nam June Paik; Allan Kaprow; Henning Lohner and Van Carlson; Rafael Lozano-Hemmer; Tom Marioni; MTAA (M.River and T.Whid Art Associates); Antoni Muntadas; Yoko Ono; Dan Phiffer and Mushon Zer-Aviv; Raqs Media Collective; Robert Rauschenberg; Warren Sack; Mieko Shiomi; Torolab; Wolf Vostell; Andy Warhol; Stephen Willats; and Erwin Wurm.

more details on MTAA’s Automatic For the People: ( ) soon… permanent link to this post

Oct 27, 2008

Annie Abrahams - the Big Kiss at OTO on Vimeo

posted at 17:21 GMT by M.River in /news/mriver


The Big Kiss from Annie Abrahams on Vimeo. permanent link to this post

Oct 24, 2008

MTAA at UC Berkely - Nov 7

posted at 13:24 GMT by M.River in /news/mriver

<STRIKE>Talking Heads</STRIKE> MTAA

The Name of This Band Lecture Is Talking Heads MTAA

at

Takeovers & Makeovers: Artistic Appropriation, Fair Use and Copyright in the Digital Age

Nov 7, 2008 UC Berkely 1:45 pm to 2:45 pm

“We’d love for you to speak about your work, especially in regards to how it intersects with appropriation, participatory culture, the commons, and intellectual property. I am thinking of works like On Kawara Update, Vito Acconci Update, Pirate Movie, the Commons and Net art diagrams, and so on.” — Kris Paulsen

http://bcnm.berkeley.edu/takeovers

twhid adds
Check out the link above for the full schedule and line-up of the conference. Other speakers include Marisa Olson, Michael Mandiberg, Rick Prelinger, Richard Rinehart and lots more!

We’re also going to be making another public appearance on Nov 8 @ SFMOMA — stay tuned for more info on that! permanent link to this post

Oct 22, 2008

Pixish closing

posted at 20:07 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

Dumb web site designed to fleece desperate suckers out of free creative work, Pixish, is shutting down. I’ve discussed this site before here.

Derek Powazek, the guy that started the site, seems like an honest and smart person. Not sure why he thought this was a good idea. Luckily, there aren’t enough chumps out there to keep it going.

Usually I’m sorry to see indy web sites shut down. Not this time! Good riddance. permanent link to this post

Oct 18, 2008

The Reason Campaign redux

posted at 15:09 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid


A 19 year old college student from Pennsylvania, Megan comes from a household of Independents. This being her first election, she has been trying to pay attention to the conventions and the debates in order to make the most informed decision possible.


I posted about this before but wanted to remind everyone about this great web site/video series.

It’s called The Reason Campaign and it was started by the extremely talented Sorrel Ahlfeld. From the site:
You’ve heard a lot about this election from both the campaigns and the media. Now you can hear from your fellow citizens. Watch below as Republicans, Independents and conservatives explain their reasons for supporting Barack Obama.


The videos are extremely well produced and very engaging. Check it out!

There’s a podcast too! permanent link to this post

Oct 14, 2008

TV panels on easels? ‘Scuse me while I barf

posted at 14:44 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

The same fool that would buy pre-paint-spattered jeans from J.Crew would think this cool:

twilight-livingroom-1008-xlg.jpg

Of course, all things art-lite and/or art-like are loved by Boing Boing, so they link approvingly.

More of this nonsense here. permanent link to this post

Oct 11, 2008

The Big Kiss - Annie Abrahams at OTO

posted at 13:49 GMT by M.River in /news/mriver

Abrahams at OTO

Photos from last nights OTO with Annie Abrahams now up at OTO’s Flickr Set permanent link to this post

Oct 07, 2008

3K USD for a chapter on networked art

posted at 15:10 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

dollars_million.jpg

Check it out!

From turbulence.org:

+++

Networked: a (networked_book) about (networked_art)
A Juried International Competition
Call for Proposals

Deadline: December 15, 2008

http://turbulence.org/networked

Five writers will be commissioned to develop chapters for a networked book about networked art. The chapters will be open for revision, commentary, and translation by online collaborators. Each commissioned writer will receive $3,000 (US).

Networked Committee:
Steve Dietz (Northern Lights, MN) :: Martha CC Gabriel (net artist, Brazil) :: Geert Lovink (Institute for Network Cultures, The Netherlands) :: Nick Montfort (Massachusetts Institute for Technology, MA) :: Anne Bray (LA Freewaves, LA) :: Sean Dockray (Telic Arts Exchange, LA) :: Jo-Anne Green (NRPA, MA) :: Eduardo Navas (newmediaFIX) :: Helen Thorington (NRPA, NY)

More here: http://turbulence.org/networked permanent link to this post

Oct 01, 2008

Annie Abrahams - The Big Kiss at OTO Oct 10

posted at 22:36 GMT by M.River in /news/mriver

Annie Abrahams - The Big Kiss

Image from the performance “One the puppet of the other” with NicolasFrespech, May 26th 2007, Centre Pompidou Paris.

On October 10, from 7pm to 10 pm, Over The Opening is pleased to present The Big Kiss, a performance installation by Annie Abrahams.

What’s contact in a machine mediated world? What’s the power of the image? How does it feel to kiss without touching? Does the act change because we see it? What does it mean to construct an image with your tongue? And is there still desire? Does the act provoke it? What’s contact in a machine mediated world?

You are invited to participate in the creation of a communal kiss at OTO

Annie Abrahams is a Dutch artist living in France. Abrahams work is featured on her site “Being Human / Etant Humain”: a big interlinked universe that concentrates on the possibilities and limitations of communication as well as at aabrahams.wordpress.com

permanent link to this post

Sep 29, 2008

A new idea…

posted at 02:05 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

ls-random.gif

Two shapes randomly extracted from an autotrace of a JPEG reproduction of Da Vinci’s Last Supper. M.River randomly selected the top, T.Whid the bottom. It would be better if software did the random selection.

This is a sketch or mockup or whatever you want to call something that really isn’t a finished piece.

M.River adds — Two shapes painted directly on a wall. The heights of the shapes are equal to the height of the Last Supper (15’); may involve a live performance. permanent link to this post

Sep 25, 2008

I had sort of given up on politics…

posted at 13:56 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid/politics

… or at least given up on posting about them on this blog. But this has just got to be said…

McCain is such a fucking tool.

tool_mccain.jpg
photo © Jill Greenberg permanent link to this post

Sep 24, 2008

In the studio (9/23/2008)

posted at 13:59 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

mriver_mic_studio.jpg
M.River on the mic

update
Thanks to MTAA’s #1 fan you can see just how exciting the action is in our studio — ANIMATED!

mikeinterview.gif permanent link to this post

Sep 20, 2008

koller’s campfire time at oto

posted at 14:16 GMT by M.River in /news/mriver

koller's campfire time

Photos from last nights OTO with Mike Koller now up at OTO’s Flickr Set permanent link to this post

Our Political Work

2008, digital video with software

mtaa_opw_400x151.jpg
In our age there is no such thing as ‘keeping out of politics.’ All issues are political issues, and politics itself is a mass of lies, evasions, folly, hatred and schizophrenia.
— George Orwell

Continuing a series of computer-driven self-portraits, MTAA’s Our Political Work presents the artists in a never-ending state of screaming, yelling, waiting and sometimes laughing. Using 141 filmed moments, custom software randomly selects and joins video clips into a seemingly endless array of undignified action. Begun in 2007 and completed in 2008, Our Political Work creates an open-ended depiction of political discourse as Beckett-like action.

A 2008 commission of LX 2.0, a project of Lisboa 20 Arte Contemporânea and curated by Luis Silva. link to work |  permanent link to this post

Sep 13, 2008

Lee Walton: Official Book Signing Event

posted at 22:13 GMT by M.River in /news/mriver

Lee Walton: Official Book Signing Event

Lee Walton: Official Book Signing Event - Strand Bookstore, NYC - Lee Walton signs books form the Strand’s outdoor $1 book bins. (that’s Lee in the green hat)

Lee Walton: Official Book Signing Event

This is the book I got for Lee to sign (not one from the $1 bin)

Lee Walton: Official Book Signing Event

I had him sign page 148 on a the image of Manzoni signing one of his “Living Sculpture”. I think Tim and I will sign it on the page with Gilbert and George and then put it up for auction on eBay. permanent link to this post

Campfire Time - Mike Koller at OTO - Sept.19

posted at 12:08 GMT by M.River in /news/mriver

Campfire Time

On September 19, from 7pm to 10pm, Over The Opening is pleased to present Campfire Time, a new installation by Mike Koller. This marks his second exhibition at OTO.

“… either sitting around a campfire drinking beer and telling lies, or telling lies and drinking beer while sitting around a campfire. But I wasn’t there so I can only guess.” - from Bigfoot Has a Long, Lively Local History by Guy Barnes

OTO’s one night format provides an excellent forum to examine social situations and the various activities they surround. Koller’s 2007 instalation, “The Holiday Rejects” looked at the holiday season and the awkward obligations of our interactions during these familial events. In this spirit of experiment, “Campfire Time” examines the intimacy and spirituality of the campfire and our fascination with it. An installation featuring animated projections of the west at sunset, fake logs, terrain, a carefully edited mix of sounds, and of course the campfire itself, “Campfire Time” gives the opportunity for the viewer to develop their own ideas on the nature of our interactions around this timeless and supernatural centerpiece.

Drink beer, tell lies, sing songs, converse intimately, tell ghost stories, or quietly enjoy the recorded crackles and pops of a campfire as you sit beneath the projected sky. Stare pensively into the incandescent glow of the campfire, rest your head on a fake log, and bid a fond farewell to summer.

directions and info on OTO permanent link to this post

Sep 09, 2008

Dante’s Inferno RIP

posted at 14:48 GMT by M.River in /news/mriver

coney

Astroland is now closed for the summer and forever. The 1970 dark ride Dante’s Inferno is up for sale ($225,000). Here is some video I shot on the ride a few years back. Tim and I took the video and looped it, slowed it, and ran it back and forth to make this 3 min film. For the most part, it’s just black with a person screaming. Go ahead and take one last ride.


USM from mriver on Vimeo. permanent link to this post

Sep 07, 2008

Port Huron Project 6: Let Another World Be Born

posted at 14:16 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

stokely_small.jpg

Mark Tribe’s Port Huron Project today in NYC!!

Here’s the info:

Public reenactment of a 1967 speech by Stokely Carmichael

Sunday, September 7, 2008, 5:00 PM
East 43rd St. at Tudor City Place, New York, NY
All the way east on 43rd Street
Subways 4, 5, 6, 6, S to Grand Central

Lots more info here. permanent link to this post

Sep 06, 2008

photos of ecoarttech at oto

posted at 17:00 GMT by M.River in /news/mriver

ecoarttech at oto

Now up on OTO’s Flickr set
permanent link to this post

Sep 05, 2008

BBEdit syntax coloring

posted at 19:02 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid/geek

Meta: haven’t done a good old geek post on the MTAA-RR in a while…

I really want to go back to using BBEdit. Overall, it’s better than TextMate (especially the search). But it’s got this syntax coloring problem when editing JS in the head of an HTML page that DRIVES. ME. NUTS. Is pictured below:

bbedit_syntax_bah.gif

BBEdit 9 is a better than the previous version, but it gets tripped up on parans in the string if you put a forward slash in it as well (if you take the parans out it works correctly). As you can see, if you’re putting HTML tags in the string (which is probably a pretty common thing to do) it breaks the syntax coloring for the rest of the JS in the doc. This happens if the doc is set to ‘html.’ If you set it to ‘JavaScript’ then the JS is OK but the HTML doesn’t get proper syntax coloring.

Does anyone know how to fix this? It’s driving me nuts and back to TextMate. permanent link to this post

EcoArtTech TONIGHT @ OTO

posted at 14:17 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

On September 5 from 7pm to 10pm, OTO kicks off their second season with EcoArtTech’s performance Externalities: Wilderness and its Others.

More info: http://www.tinjail.com/over_the_opening

EcoArtTech (Christine Nadir & Cary Peppermint) continue to rethink relations between humans, technics, technology, and the environment with Externalities: Wilderness and its Others a networked, video-based performance piece. The performance will examine the conditions of possibility for getting back to “nature.”

Friday, September 5, 2008 Starts at 7:00pm
Over The Opening (AKA MTAA’s studio)
60 North 6th St.
Brooklyn, NY (gmap)
Take the L train to Bedford Ave. permanent link to this post

Sep 03, 2008

Conflux 08 (September 11 - 14)

posted at 17:34 GMT by M.River in /news/mriver

ss5k

Photo of Kate’s big win in MTAA’s Super Slow 5k durring Conflux 07

Conflux is an “art and technology festival for the creative exploration of urban public space.” Last year, MTAA performed the Super Slow 5K as part of the festival. This year, I was asked to be part of the juror committee. Here are a few (of the many ) 08 projects that I’m looking forward to checking out.

Lee Walton: Official Book Signing Event - Strand Bookstore, NYC - Lee Walton signs books form the Strand’s outdoor $1 book bins.

Woody’s Ghost - Preston Poe performs the songs Woody wrote in the very locations where he wrote and sang them.

Open House - Finishing School opens the home of Matt Fisher and Todd Cooper.

C-Town Echolocation - Jeff Sisson and Bennett Williamson tour and map NYC’s C-Town supermarkets.

Speculation Station - The Eh-Team builds a faux subway entrance.

permanent link to this post

Aug 25, 2008

EcoArtTech’s “Externalities: Wilderness and its Others” at OTO

posted at 16:27 GMT by M.River in /news/mriver

Externalities: Wilderness and its Others

On September 5 from 7pm to 10pm, OTO kicks off our second season with EcoArtTech’s “Externalities: Wilderness and its Others”

EcoArtTech (Christine Nadir & Cary Peppermint) continue to rethink relations between humans, technics, technology, and the environment with “Externalities: Wilderness and its Others” a networked, video-based performance piece. The performance will examine the conditions of possibility for getting back to “nature”

Co-founded in 2005 by Christine Nadir and Cary Peppermint, EcoArtTech works with digital, networked, and sustainable technologies and contemporary environments to create art about the environmentality of modern life. Drawing on a wide range of literary, artistic, and theoretical fields, our aim is to imagine new, healthy, and sustainable relationships between animals, humans, and their environments and technologies.

ecoarttech.net

About OTO - Each month the artist collective MTAA convert their N6th St. Brooklyn studio into a venue for the presentation of time-based art.

map and directions

Next up on Sept. 19 - OTO’s 2nd September show with Mike Koller permanent link to this post

Aug 22, 2008

1ypv — q and a

posted at 12:11 GMT by M.River in /news/mriver

1ypv

Back in 2004, MTAA launched the 1 year peformance video (1ypv). A few months ago the finish sequence became buggy (AKA stopped working) due to ‘undiagnosed server configuration issues’ (yeah, yeah MTAA — excuses, excuses). Although this has been a drag (mostly for T.Whid, all I do is ask Zoolander-like questions, “You mean the files are IN the computer?”) it has given me a chance to chat with a recent 1ypv Hall of Famer named Blake. Up until now, I’ve more or less avoided contact with 1ypv viewers. The silence is for no other reason than the fact that automation is an important part of the work. The wall came down when Blake and a few other recent Hall of Famers contacted us about the bug. It seemed like a good time to ask some basic questions of someone who felt the need to watch T.Whid and I sit around for a year. Following is a brief Q and A with an actual 1ypv survivor. Warning: 1ypv spoilers ahead!

M.River - So, how was the work?

Blake - Honestly, I found it amusing on a few levels: me actually looking at it for lengths of time (more on that with the next answer), the fact of timing it so one sees certain “time appropriate” sequences, (dark at night, etc), and the overall idea of someone (you folks) actually putting the “success” of the execution on the viewer.

MR - What made you decide to attempt a year with it?

B - I thought it was a fun idea; that seems so “unartistic” a response, but hey, that’s the truth of it. I liked the idea of committing myself to something like this (even if passively) for a year just to see if I’d remember to do it.

MR - How did you do it? I mean did you just turn on an old laptop, stick it on a shelf and check back in a year? I think that’s how I’d try it.

B - At first I turned it on everyday at work and let it run for the 8 hour day, checking here and there. off and on (probably for the first half of my viewing) I’d forget a day or two and come back to it. Then, when I decided to quit my job I started running it 24 hours a day in the background, and I was excited when the screens would “buffer” for hours because then I could listen to music without the sounds of the piece. The last 20 or so days were run almost nonstop on my laptop, but I’d take breaks for fear of overheating (I obviously wasn’t concerned with the work computer…ha!). When I realized I could time it to Marilyn’s death date, I started getting strict about keeping stuff running. Also, for the latter half, I’d sometimes watch for 15 or so minutes at specific intervals just to see what loops came up (tossing the wallet and toilet paper rolls were probably my favorites, why I don’t know…)

MR - Is your understanding of the work different after a year than what you expected? I mean, was doing the project different than understanding the project?

B - Well, I liked the ideas behind Tehching Hsieh’s year art, and I knew that since I was only seeing recorded loops (and not even “watching” the whole thing for an entire year) I wasn’t expecting some revelation at the end. I have thought more about time / duration and what delineates art from life (I know, gettin’ arty again), but overall, I am down with the idea of having gotten my name on the wall, as it were. Oh yeah, as a side note, I was kinda hoping that the last minute would have been yet another pre-determined / triggered loop so that no matter what time it was it switched to a sequence where you both approached the camera (breaking the 4th wall / 4th computer screen) to say “congratulations” and then blackout, but at the same time it was almost better that the time just kept rolling as if to say “it’s been a year; so what? think about ~that~, pal!” permanent link to this post

Aug 20, 2008

GRL’s James Powderly held in China

posted at 12:06 GMT by M.River in /news/mriver

Foto di Achille Filipponi
Foto di Achille Filipponi

James Powderly was detained by Chinese authorities in Beijing early Wednesday, according to a message received by Students for a Free Tibet around 5PM Beijing Standard Time, said an SFT spokesperson. The message, sent through the social networking site Twitter, read “held since 3AM”, said friend and SFT board member Nathan Dorjee. Powderly has not been heard from since-more than 24 hours later-and his whereabouts remain unknown, he said.

Photo - GRL in Rome (Enzimi 07)
Students For a Free Tibet (SFT)
Graffiti Research Lab (GRL)


Update According to BoingBoing it looks like Powderly and a few others are going to do 10 days in jail… permanent link to this post

Aug 19, 2008

The Reason Campaign

posted at 16:25 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid



I know that I promised to lay low for the rest of August, but this needs to be blogged!

My friend and über-talented film director Sorrel Ahlfeld has launched a great new video series promoting Barak Obama’s candidacy. Via video interviews, normal American’s give their reasons for voting Obama this year.

It’s called The Reason Campaign.

From the site:
The Reason Campaign aims to encourage substantive and productive dialogue between Americans - red state or blue - concerned about the issues facing our country today.


Currently there’s QuickTime video on the site, but they’re planning on expanding to different formats and streams soon.

Check it out permanent link to this post

Aug 17, 2008

OTOs coming up

posted at 16:09 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

We’ve got two (count ‘em 2) Over The Opening exhibitions happening in September! The first is the 5th with EcoArtTech (aka Christine Nadir and Cary Peppermint) and then on the 19th we’ll be showing Mike Koller (his 2nd show at OTO).

Stay tuned for more details coming soon.

Otherwise, MTAA is going to be laying low until after Labor Day. We encourage everyone to be as lazy as possible for the rest of August. permanent link to this post

Aug 15, 2008

I should del.icio.us more stuff

posted at 18:51 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

And maybe you should too.

http://delicious.com/twhid/del.icio.us+stuff permanent link to this post

Aug 13, 2008

Bouncing, bouncing not fun, fun, fun

posted at 17:49 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

Dear anybody that cares,

My email was bouncing. It isn’t anymore. If you sent me email and it bounced. Send it again why don’t ya?

This annoying message was brought to you by T.Whid. permanent link to this post

Aug 06, 2008

Born to Run - Cory’s Glockenspiel Addendum at Light Industry

posted at 15:35 GMT by M.River in /news/mriver

cory
Photo via T.Whid’s new iPhone
cory
Photo via my old 3.2 Mega Pixel Pentax
Blog post about the show by Diane Hatz

background on Cory’s Glockenspiel Addendum
permanent link to this post

Rocketboom sells out!

posted at 13:28 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

LOL. Just kidding. But they did sell worldwide distro rights to Sony for what NewTeeVee is reporting as 7 figures. And I’ll bet those figures are numbers with some commas.

Get the lowdown from the horse’s mouth.

Congrats to everyone there. Especially our old Eyebeam buddy Kenyatta! permanent link to this post

Aug 04, 2008

Plan 9 (scenes 1-3)

posted at 14:17 GMT by M.River in /news/mriver

An Attempt to Re-film Plan 9 from Outer Space (scenes 1-3) at Light Industry, Brooklyn, NY

Greetings, my friend. We are all interested in the future, for that is where you and I are going to spend the rest of our lives. And remember my friend, future events such as these will affect you in the future. You are interested in the unknown, the mysterious, the unexplainable. That is why you are here.


An Attempt to Re-film Plan 9 from Outer Space (scene 1)

An Attempt to Re-film Plan 9 from Outer Space (scene 2)

An Attempt to Re-film Plan 9 from Outer Space (scene 3)

Staring
Ed Halter as CRISWELL
T.Whid as DANNY
Thomas Beard as JEFF
Cory Arcangel as OPERATOR
Hanne Mugaas as EDITH
Christopher Fahey as GRAVEDIGGER #1
T.Whid as GRAVEDIGGER #2
and Margaret (tinydiva) Jameson as VAMPIRA
permanent link to this post

Aug 02, 2008

GRAPHICS INTERCHANGE FORMAT

posted at 12:30 GMT by M.River in /news/mriver

GRAPHICS INTERCHANGE FORMAT

67 artist-made animated GIFs
Curated by Laurel Ptak iheartphotograph.com
Part of the exhibition Young Curators, New Ideas
Bond Street Gallery
297 Bond Street, Brooklyn NY
Wednesday, August 13 – Saturday, September 6, 2008

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Curator’s Statement:

GIFs are a modest 8-bit-per-pixel bitmap image format introduced to the world by CompuServe in 1987. They have the distinction of being the very first color compression format widely used for images online (predating the JPEG by 7 years). One of the beauties of the GIF is that a single file can contain multiple images shown in a timed sequence, giving the effect of motion, known fondly as an animated GIF. In the ’90s these proliferated onscreen in the form of dancing babies and rotating globes, maladroitly articulating a kind of humanist optimism about the internet. Looking back at them now, animated GIFs seem at once gleefully lo-fi and ineffably poignant, almost desperate to communicate something beyond what the bounds of their humble technology could allow.

Curious how this lo-fi form might fare in a contemporary context, I commissioned 26 photographers, designers, and new media artists to embrace this more than 20-year-old technology. They were given only 3 days to work on their projects and were encouraged, though not required, to incorporate photographic materials. Some had never made an animated GIF before and some were notorious for it. The approaches, aesthetics, and meanings to be found in their GIFs really impressed me. Some use the form epically like a novelist or a film director; others are self-reflective about the limits of technology and representation; many challenge photography’s usual atemporal disposition; and then some just make me giggle.

Their full results are on view at Bond Street Gallery from August 13–September 6, 2008, shown on 44-inch flat screen in an infinite loop. Each GIF is sold in an unlimited edition for $20, accompanied by a personalized note from the artist.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Featuring work by Victor Boullet, Tyler Coburn, Petra Cortright, C.Coy, Daniel Everett, Thobias Fäldt & Per Englund, Martin Fengel, Jason Fulford, Nicholas Grider, Pierre Hourquet, Konst & Teknik, Eke Kriek, Emily Larned, Matt MacFarland, Katja Mater, Kelci McIntosh, Ilia Ovechkin, Robert Overweg, M. River, Noel Rodo-Vankeulen, Asha Schechter, Trevor Shimizu, Jo-ey Tang, Anne De Vries, Karly Wildenhaus and Damon Zucconi.

I’ll be showing my vacation 08 gifs - vacationoitacav
permanent link to this post

Jul 30, 2008

Jenny Holzer’s PROJECTIONS at MASS MOCA

posted at 12:22 GMT by M.River in /news/mriver

Jenny Holzer

Web cam of the install through November 16, 2008 permanent link to this post

Jul 28, 2008

Desert Bus

posted at 17:58 GMT by M.River in /news/mriver

bug_splat

As part of my 5 min presentation of Want at the CC art camp this year, I showed the 1ypv. I mentioned my amazement that 24 people have spent a year watching us hanging out in a cell. The next day I was talking with George Fifiel about durational performance / media art and he told about this strange lost game by Penn & Teller from 1995. Part of the game was a driving simulator called “Desert Bus”. In this game you have to drive a beat-up bus through the Nevada desert for eight hours in real-time to reach Las Vegas. Once you get to Vegas, you are told to turn around and drive home. In the game the bus veers to the right so you have to keep your hands on the joystick the entire 16 hour trip.

Love it.

More background on Desert Bus
permanent link to this post

Jul 21, 2008

Art world reality redux — this time it’s for real

posted at 14:35 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

Sarah Jessica Parker’s “American Artist” reality show has been picked up by (who else?) Bravo. From The Hollywood Reporter:

Sarah Jessica Parker’s art competition reality show has found a home at Bravo.

The network has picked up “American Artist,” from Parker’s Pretty Matches production company and wunderkin producers Magical Elves, as part of its development slate. Bravo is expected to announce the deal Sunday at the Television Critics Assn. press tour.

The hourlong show has been described by the Elves team of Dan Cutforth and Jane Lipsitz as a “Project Runway”-style competition series that takes on the art world. Aspiring artists compete to produce various styles of artwork (painting, sculpting, etc.), which is then judged by a panel of experts. The network declined to comment.
permanent link to this post

Photos from Playscape at OTO

posted at 13:50 GMT by M.River in /news/mriver

playscape at oto

Photos from Dana Strasser and Isabella Bruno’s OTO event “Playscape”, are now up on the OTO Flickr set. permanent link to this post

Jul 20, 2008

MTAA and The Art of Participation: 1950 to Now

posted at 12:28 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

We’re very happy to announce that we’ll be taking part in SFMOMA’s “The Art of Participation: 1950 to Now” November 8 - February 8, 2009.

From the press release:
Organized by SFMOMA Curator of Media Arts Rudolf Frieling, this large thematic presentation gathers more than 70 works by some 50 individual artists and collectives, and will feature projects both on-site and online, as well as several new pieces commissioned specifically for the exhibition. From early performance-based and conceptual art to online works rooted in the multiuser dynamics of Web 2.0 platforms, The Art of Participation reflects on the confluence of audience interaction, utopian politics, and mass media, and reclaims the museum as a space for two-way exchange between artists and viewers.

The exhibition proposes that participatory art is generally based on a notion of indeterminacy—an openness to chance or change, as introduced by John Cage in the early 1950s—and refers to projects that, while initiated by individual artists, can be realized only through the contribution of others. This artistic approach entices the public to join in; questions the conventional divide between artists and their audience; and challenges assumptions about the symbolic value of art, as well as the traditional role of the museum as a container for objects rather than a site for social engagement or art production. Participatory art typically synthesizes a variety of artistic media, emphasizes process over object, and champions the idea of collective authorship.


We’ll be dropping lots more info about this as the exhibition draws nearer. permanent link to this post

Jul 18, 2008

Rhizome Ghost - 24-Hour DOA

posted at 14:20 GMT by M.River in /news/mriver

rhizghost

You enter a small candlelit library. A crowd of mourners mill about an open coffin in the center of the room. In the coffin rests a body wrapped in a white sheet. The sheet has two black spots painted on for eyes.

T.Whid approaches you dressed in black, two whiskeys in hand. As he offers you a drink, he begins…

T. Whid — Hell. Glad you could make it out tonight, didn’t think you’d make it. Here, have a drink, find a place to stand. M.River is going to start soon. Lauren, Patrick and Luis are already here. I think they’re over at the buffet table. Please, help yourself. Thanks again for coming out.

As you make your way through the crowd to the buffet table, M. River, dressed in a white suit with black armband, climbs onto a chair near the coffin. He raises his arms into the air and begins.

M. River — Dearly Beloved, a few months ago Luis Silva asked T.Whid and I to participate in an email-based exhibition hosted on Rhizome. We had recently been thinking about how Rhizome has, in the past, been used not only as a place to announce and talk about art, but also as a platform to create art. We were also thinking about some MTAA projects like vieweratstar67@yahoo.com, Endnode AKA Printer Tree and Karaoke DeathMatch 100 all of which incorporated open, group interactions.

We were thinking about a key on the floor, a group identity, and an empty room. We were also thinking about, as we often do when we think about the Internet, ghosts.

We worked with Rhizome to set-up an open account using the ghost@rhizome.org email address. We then submitted this text as our work for the FW: Re: Re: exhibition:

+++
a one-month email haunting of rhizome.org (aka ghost@rhizome.org) user name: ghost@rhizome.org (rhizomeghost@gmail.com)

password: boobooboo 11-07-2008 to 11-08-2008
+++


Less than 24 hours after the ghost was released, it was locked down. The ghost’s password was changed barring the public from interacting with the piece. The ghost’s controller next bombed Rhizome with spam, racist rants and sexist screeds for a few hours then stopped.

Two options presented themselves: 1) continue the project with a smaller group of people or 2) kill the project. Of the two choices, killing the project after 24 hours seemed like the only honest thing to do.

So, here we are one week later to bid farewell to ghost@rhizome.org.

Now, If you would all please raise you glasses with me. A toast! To the belief that utter and complete failure is still a viable option in art. The ghost is dead. Long live the ghost!

As you file out with the sobbing crowd, you notice T.Whid preparing to pound a stake into the ghost’s heart as M.River douses the sheet with gasoline while waving a dead chicken over it.

===

P.S. You can find an archive and comment on all the ghost’s posts over at Rhizome on the BOO thread. permanent link to this post

Jul 17, 2008

m.river in the studio

posted at 22:27 GMT by M.River in /news/mriver

studio

Hey all. M.River here of MTAA. I’ve been in the studio this summer working on some new paintings. Can’t wait to show them. Wish me luck. permanent link to this post

Jul 15, 2008

Playscape at OTO Friday July 18

posted at 19:28 GMT by M.River in /news/mriver

Playscape at OTO Friday July 18

"Play is the exultation of the possible." - Martin Buber

On July 18th, from 7 to 10pm, OTO is pleased to present a new installation by Dana Strasser and Isabella Bruno.

Strasser and Bruno create a playspace for the adult set using specifically selected, everyday objects in transformative ways. Immerse yourself in a sea of balloons, and let the play happen.

OTO goes on vacation in August and will return in the fall with a new works by Mike Koller, Mike Sarff, Cary Peppermint, Curt Cloninger, Annie Abrahams, and more.

For details and directions check Over The Opening. permanent link to this post

Jul 11, 2008

rhizome_ghost

posted at 20:26 GMT by M.River in /news/mriver

rhizghost

a one-month public haunting of rhizome.org

permanent link to this post

Jul 10, 2008

Hirst: screw galleries

posted at 18:58 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

From The Art Newspaper:
The final frontier protecting contemporary art galleries from the relentless encroachment of the auction houses has been emphatically breached with the announcement that Damien Hirst is creating an exhibition of new works for display and sale at the London headquarters of Sotheby’s.


via NEWSgrist permanent link to this post

Jul 08, 2008

Touch My Bright Green Body (Green Screen Version)

posted at 22:05 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

Caspar Stracke responds (.mov 52MB) to Oliver Laric’s “Touch My Body (Green Screen Version)”.

I’ve mashed-up the two together. Here’s some of stills of the video:

touchmybody.gif

touchmybody.gif

touchmybody.gif

touchmybody.gif permanent link to this post

Jul 02, 2008

Suckers to tha side I know you hate my 98

posted at 02:33 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

permanent link to this post

Jun 27, 2008

Epic net art

posted at 22:11 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

pseudo.jpg

Another question raised at Rhizome’s Net Ae panel of a few weeks back was the idea of an ‘epic’ net art. Where is it? Is it possible? Who would want to do it?

Is pseudo.com an example of epic net art? Did we not know that we were in the midst of the most epic work of net art ever as it went on?

The first piece of net art that MTAA ever did, BUYING TIME: The Nostalgia-Free History Sale was done in conjunction with G. H. Hovagimyan’s ArtDirt streaming video show on Pseudo.com. (We didn’t know what the hell we were doing at the time.) There was a lot of art happening at pseudo’s offices (as well as really great parties). Jeff Gompertz (of Fakeshop) was heavily involved as well.

I’m bringing all this up as a way to help bolster Harris’ claim that pseudo.com was a ‘fake’ company and an elaborate piece of ‘performance art.’ Perhaps it was. Did he out-etoy etoy but not tell anybody until now? Can something be an art work if no one knows it’s an art work? Is he simply a revisionist fraud?

+++

Also on Rhizome; comment there if you like. permanent link to this post

Jun 26, 2008

Crazy art links!

posted at 16:14 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

Olafur Eliasson’s “Waterfalls” are ON! It’s rainy today so I didn’t bike and will miss out on checking out the perfect view of one of the falls from the Manhattan Bridge. It will suck to bike it if/when the tourists figure out you can get a great view from there.

UPDATE
Roberta Smith’s review of the Waterfalls

+++

Josh Harris: still nuts; calls Pseudo.com “an elaborate piece of performance art.” Not so sure about that…

+++

Is it a Warhol? Who knows? Who cares? (Except for the chump that paid millions for it, his insurers, The Warhol Foundation, etc.) Me? I think it’s a damn good Warhol whether he did it, knew about it, or whatever. permanent link to this post

Jun 24, 2008

(I promise that) HARDCORE (conceptual art will make a comeback sometime very, very soon.)

posted at 17:20 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

mtaa_hardcore_240x240.jpg

Inspired by Nayland Blake’s merch (check out AFC’s interview), we’ve decided to notify our 10s of readers that we have a t-shirt for sale.

Buy it now! permanent link to this post

Is Beck following Cory Arcangel around?

posted at 17:13 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

It sort of feels that way to me…



Listen to a full track from Beck’s new album here (login required). permanent link to this post

More Loshadka @ OTO

posted at 02:58 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid



Petra Cortright has posted a big batch-o-pix @ flickr showing some behind-the-scenes footage of Loshadka’s show at Over The Opening.

Check it out…

m.river updates - also some shots from Kai permanent link to this post

Jun 22, 2008

xandxx

posted at 17:22 GMT by M.River in /news/mriver

xandxx

10 netartworks I was interested in around 10 years ago and 10 from the last few years.

Note - This is not a “best of” list. It is just some works that I think about for time to time. I’ve added a MTAA work in the netart_x section only because it was done with Eryk Salvaggio and his webiste from that time (one38.org), like so many works from that time, is gone. Seeing as I’ve left off a good many netartworks that I like, I may (or may not) change the list from time to time. I think of xandxx as an netartwork. I hope to live long enough to add a netart_xxx section in 2018 on the longest day of the year. permanent link to this post

Jun 20, 2008

Don’t go chasing…

posted at 19:38 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

…Olafur Eliasson’s New York City Waterfalls! (warning: dumb flash site)

The NYC real estate blog Curbed has been doing a good job of following the construction and tests (with some anti-art snark tossed in, but whatev) of Eliasson’s public sculptures. Check out the Curbed waterfall archives.

And don’t miss the Gothamist post on the Brooklyn Bridge Waterfall. permanent link to this post

Jun 17, 2008

post-net art…

posted at 21:42 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

…is a better label than net art 2.0.

not post-net.art

not anti-post-net art

post-net art permanent link to this post

Jun 14, 2008

LOSHADKA at OTO (Photos)

posted at 19:41 GMT by M.River in /news/mriver

LOSHADKA at OTO

Photos from last night in OTO’s Flickr set
permanent link to this post

Jun 12, 2008

1 hit

posted at 02:23 GMT by M.River in /news/mriver


1hit from mriver on Vimeo. permanent link to this post

Jun 11, 2008

Kurtz wins

posted at 11:56 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

If you know the facts of this case there’s no way you can’t be angry about it. The witch hunt finally ends.

PR follows…

###

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 11, 2008

ARTIST CLEARED OF ALL CHARGES IN PRECEDENT-SETTING CASE

Department of Justice Fails to Appeal Dismissal
Kurtz Speaks about Four-Year Ordeal

Buffalo, NY — Dr. Steven Kurtz, a Professor of Visual Studies at SUNY at Buffalo and cofounder of the award-winning art and theater group Critical Art Ensemble, has been cleared of all charges of mail and wire fraud. On April 21, Federal Judge Richard J. Arcara dismissed the government’s entire indictment against Dr. Kurtz as “insufficient on its face.” This means that even if the actions alleged in the indictment (which the judge must accept as “fact”) were true, they would not constitute a crime. The US Department of Justice had thirty days from the date of the ruling to appeal. No action has been taken in this time period, thus stopping any appeal of the dismissal. According to Margaret McFarland, a spokeswoman for US Attorney Terrance P. Flynn, the DoJ will not appeal Arcara’s ruling and will not seek any new charges against Kurtz.

For over a decade, cultural institutions worldwide have hosted Kurtz and Critical Art Ensemble’s educational art projects, which use common science materials to examine issues surrounding the new biotechnologies. In 2004 the Department of Justice alleged that Dr. Kurtz had schemed with colleague Dr. Robert Ferrell of the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health to illegally acquire two harmless bacteria cultures for use in one of those projects. The Justice Department further alleged that the transfer of the material from Ferrell to Kurtz broke a material transfer agreement, thus constituting mail fraud.

Under the USA PATRIOT Act, the maximum sentence for these charges was increased from five years to twenty years in prison.

Dr. Kurtz has been fighting the charges ever since. In October 2007, Dr. Ferrell pleaded to a lesser misdemeanor charge after recurring bouts of cancer and three strokes suffered since his indictment prevented him from continuing the struggle.

KURTZ SUMS UP END OF FOUR-YEAR NIGHTMARE

Finally vindicated after four years of struggle, Kurtz, asked for a statement, responded stoically: “I don’t have a statement, but I do have questions. As an innocent man, where do I go to get back the four years the Department of Justice stole from me? As a taxpayer, where do I go to get back the millions of dollars the FBI and Justice Department wasted persecuting me? And as a citizen, what must I do to have a Justice Department free of partisan corruption so profound it has turned on those it is sworn to protect?”

Said Kurtz’s attorney, Paul Cambria, “I am glad an innocent man has been vindicated. Steve Kurtz stared in the face of the federal government and a twenty-year prison term and never flinched, because he believes in his work and his actions were those of a completely innocent man. Clients like him are a blessing, and although I have had many important victories, this one stands at the top of the list.”

As coordinator of the CAE Defense Fund, a group organized to support Kurtz from the beginning of the case, Lucia Sommer sees the end of the prosecution as bittersweet, and like Kurtz, is thoughtful about the broader significance of the case: “This ruling is the best possible ending to a horrible ordeal—but we are mindful of numerous cases still pending, and the grave injustices perpetrated by the Bush administration following 9/11. This case was part of a larger picture, in which law enforcement was given expanded powers. In this instance, the Bush administration was unsuccessful in its attempt to erode Americans’ constitutional rights.”

Referring to the international outcry the case provoked, involving fundraisers and protests held on four continents, Sommer said, “The government has unlimited resources to bring and prosecute these kinds of charges, but the accused often don’t have any resources to defend themselves. This victory could never have happened without the activism of thousands of people. Supporters protested, vocally opposed the prosecution, and refused to let it go on in silence. And without their efforts at fundraising, Kurtz and Ferrell would not have been able to defend themselves from these false accusations.”

Sommer added that the next step for the defense will be to get back all of the materials taken by the FBI during its 2004 raid on the Kurtz home, including several completed art projects, as well as Dr. Kurtz’s lab equipment, computers, books, manuscripts, notes, research materials, and personal belongings. The four confiscated art projects are the subject of an exhibition entitled SEIZED on view at Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center in Buffalo, NY, through July 18: http://www.hallwalls.org/visual_shows/2008/show_seized.html.

BACKGROUND TO THE CASE

The case originated in May 2004, when Kurtz’s wife Hope died of heart failure as the couple was preparing a project about genetically modified agriculture for the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art. Police who responded to Steve Kurtz’s 911 call deemed the Kurtzes’ art materials suspicious and alerted the FBI. Kurtz explained that the materials (legally and easily obtained basic life science equipment and two harmless bacteria samples) had already been displayed at museums throughout Europe and North America with absolutely no risk to the public. However, the following day, Kurtz was illegally detained for 22 hours on suspicion of bioterrorism, as dozens of agents from the FBI, Joint Terrorism Task Force, Homeland Security, Department of Defense, ATF, and numerous other law enforcement agencies raided his home, seizing his personal and professional belongings. After a federal grand jury refused to charge Kurtz with bioterrorism, Kurtz and Ferrell were indicted on two counts of mail fraud and two counts of wire fraud concerning the acquisition of of harmless bacteria for one of Critical Art Ensemble’s educational art projects. (Critical Art Ensemble is the recipient of numerous awards for its projects, including the prestigious 2007 Andy Warhol Foundation Wynn Kramarsky Freedom of Artistic Expression Grant, in recognition of twenty years of distinguished work: http://www.creative-capital.org/index2.html.)

The Department of Justice brought the charges in spite of the fact that the alleged “victims of fraud”—American Type Culture Collection and the University of Pittsburgh—never filed any charges or complained of any wrongdoing, and the fact that in bringing the charges the Department of Justice was acting completely outside its own Prosecution Policy Relating to Mail Fraud and Wire Fraud (http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/eousa/
foia_reading_room/usam/title9/43mcrm.htm
).

For more information and extensive documentation, including the Judge’s dismissal, please visit: http://caedefensefund.org permanent link to this post

Jun 10, 2008

LOSHADKA at OTO on Friday June 13

posted at 14:32 GMT by M.River in /news/mriver

poster

OTO is pleased to present on Friday June 13th from 7 to 10pm, an new installation by LOSHADKA (http://www.loshadka.org/)

ILIA OVECHKIN
PETRA CORTRIGHT
DAN WICKERHAM
WILL SIMPSON
TRAVESS SMALLEY
JAY PEYTON
BILLY RENNEKAMP
THOMAS GALLOWAY
HAYLEY SILVERMAN

SPEED LIL-LIZ_GUY69: HELLO pup
PIXL_lixxard: SUOP SUP SUP SUPSUPS
lil-liz_guy69 of sup: hé foutue attacks you with armed hand where you with for this praise with neon I heard it descends U To the bottom
PIXL_lixxard: spout out some wwtf go to the hell go to your tomb which I do not go anywhere with a witch
lil-liz_guy69: U are dry everywhere of the United States in your shorts of spoils eating a meat pie
PIXL_lixxard69: I hold a cat which I make of drugs and im energy with the swimming pool of stuffing of space
lil-liz_guy69: a good number of drugs and drinks and music and hot hot hot babies in an oil factory functioning for dollar$
PIXL_lixxard: each one there will be sexy AM completely foutu I right or amirite
lil-liz_guy69: honey bee which you know that I am ready with the ready git and obtain pumped
PIXL_lixxard: hehehebreaking all the rules on this ground


more at oto…
permanent link to this post

Jun 07, 2008

Net Ae 2.0 postmortem

posted at 22:01 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

I was more obnoxious than I meant to be and I came off old and cranky.

All around a fine evening.

It was a bit of a set-up between artists of the older generation (T.Whid, the McCoys; artists who took part in ‘net art 1.0’) and artists of a younger generation (Petra Cortright, Damon Zucconi) with Tom Moody thrown in to prove that you can be over 30 and also a member of a surfing club.

But seriously, I was fairly bombastic at one point and it went something like this: “It seems like the artists that were involved in earlier stage of net art have given up on it to a certain degree, my question to the younger artists on the panel: why haven’t you figured out that it’s a dead end?”

This little rhetorical bomb was tossed specifically to spice up the discussion a tad. I’m going to try to expand and clear it up.

Before I get into it I need to make clear that when I talk about net art, I’m using the classic definition: “art that uses the internet as its medium and that cannot be experienced in any other way.” To me, this definition shouldn’t be diluted, it just leads to confusion. I use the term web art for art on the web that can exist entirely in one browser session. Note that I think blogs (including photo, video, or other media blogs) fulfill the classic definition of net art.

First, MTAA hasn’t given up on net art entirely. We’re working on a small piece currently that fits the classic definition of net art and our latest large piece, “Want”, has, at the very least, the possibility of fitting the ole skool definition. So my assertion that we’ve ‘given up’ on net art isn’t really true. Jenn McCoy also mentioned after the panel that she and Kevin haven’t given up either, she likened it to trying to get pregnant but it just won’t happen for whatever reason.

What we’re ‘giving up’ is the idea that this ‘pure’ sort of net art will ever enter the gallery in a way that makes any sense. Many net artists have come up with hybrid net art that does make sense in the gallery space. Examples of MTAA’s efforts in that direction are “Endnode (AKA Printer Tree)” and “Want.”

Second, the ‘dead end’ comment is a red herring. The younger generation never entertained these grand and flawed ideas of a ‘pure’ net art. The artists on the panel made it very clear that their work comprises video, looping animations, photography, holography(!), web sites, etc. I believe that Damon’s first comment was that his work is multi-disciplinary. The earlier generation of net artists learned the hard way that transitioning the ‘pure’ form of net art into the gallery is very problematic. The current generation of digital artists seems to have side-stepped this problem entirely.

+++

A few words on surfing clubs (PDF link to Marcin Ramocki’s thorough essay on the genre).

Mail art is to net art as graffiti art is to surf clubs.

The panel discussion bogged down considerably during the surfing club portion in my opinion. I’m guessing that since the clubs are by their nature somewhat insular and ‘insider-y,’ the audience felt it. There were 3 practitioners of the genre discussing it without a real thought to making it very accessible to the audience. During my live-twittering of the panel, I made a couple of comments to this regard (1, 2).

Apologies to anyone that was insulted by my tweets. It was a rather rude way of offering my criticism.

+++

Cross-posted to Rhizome; comment there if you feel the desire. permanent link to this post

when push comes to shove…

posted at 13:53 GMT by M.River in /news/mriver

From the epilogue of Defunct in Ohio , a work I wrote for SMAC! in 2003:

Machines and systems come into this world. They thrive and then grow old. Technology gets updated, replaced or just fades off on its own. Sometimes, because we miss them, we dig up graves and let the dead walk the earth. We love seeing undead lurch around, bloody limbs and all. New media is growing old. We are already writing the eulogies. While some prepare for last rights, others will contact voodoo priests and sharpen their spades. Me? I’m ironing my plaid thrift store shirt, excited for the funeral. permanent link to this post

Jun 04, 2008

Net Art 2.5 private beta

posted at 19:45 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

Apropos of my participation in the Net Aesthetics 2.0 panel with Rhizome this Friday, I typed out some words on why I think it’s a bad idea to version art periods. It’s just a couple paragraphs. Hopefully at the panel I’ll be able to flesh out my thoughts off-the-cuff.

Please don’t version art periods…

Oh, alright. I’ve resigned myself to using the term “Net Art 2.0” to refer to the current state of net art. But before I completely give in, I need to put up a bit of a fight.

The main problem with using a software versioning paradigm to distinguish art periods is the implied progression. When a developer delivers new versions of their software new features are added or enhanced, bugs are fixed, new problems are identified and addressed, formats are upgraded and interfaces are streamlined.

Some will say that the progression, though implied, isn’t what people mean when they use the term “Net Art 2.0.” But, when O’Reilly versioned the web with their Web 2.0 conference in 2004 (would there be a Net Art 2.0 without Web 2.0?) it was done specifically to denote that an improvement was happening in regards to business practices on the web. “The pretenders are given the bum’s rush, the real success stories show their strength, and there begins to be an understanding of what separates one from the other” (What is Web 2.0?). So when we describe the current state of net art as Net Art 2.0, the idea that it’s somehow an improvement to artistic or aesthetic practices on the net follows.

But, is so-called Net Art 2.0 a progressive upgrade? Does it add any new features? Does it solve problems that previous net artists ignored? Are there hidden regressions? Is it correct to even think of art history in terms of progression?

If we really want to give net art a number, just call it Net Art 2 — as in the sequel. Otherwise, M.River and I are going to launch Net Art 2.5 in a private beta, and you’ll need to email us for an invite.

update: AFC linked this up, so if you feel like commenting, you can do it there.

update 2: I posted it to Rhizome, you can also comment there.

(One day we’ll have comments back here I promise!) permanent link to this post

Jun 03, 2008

Net Aesthetics 2.0

posted at 12:03 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

T.Whid (Tim Whidden) of MTAA is on this panel Friday.
The upcoming program in Rhizome’s New Silent Series at the New Museum, Net Aesthetics 2.0, will examine the state of contemporary art engaged with internet art. Convening leading artists, critics and curators, this panel will explore salient topics such as the relationship of artists emerging now to the first generation of internet art, the correspondence between online art and offline exhibition (as well as the phenomenon of “internet aware” art), the current role of the artist on the internet, the position of explicit political content in internet art (and the question of whether internet art practice is undergoing a more “formalist” phase), among other directions and challenges faced by this expansive field.

This talk will be the second in a series of Net Aesthetics 2.0 events. Panelists include artists Petra Cortright, Jennifer and Kevin Mccoy, Tom Moody, Tim Whidden and Damon Zucconi and will be moderated by curator, critic and Rhizome staff writer Ed Halter. Tickets available here.

Friday June 6th, 7:30pm
the New Museum, New York, NY
$8 general public, $6 Members (Rhizome and New Museum)
Presented in conjunction with Internet Week
http://www.newmuseum.org/events/190
permanent link to this post

Jun 02, 2008

Heeeeeeeeey Bo Diddley

posted at 17:13 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

You’re dead at 79.

:( permanent link to this post

May 23, 2008

Horvath gets BoingBoing’d

posted at 20:31 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

Always nice to see one’s friends get the props they deserve. BoingBoing turns on it’s massive readership to Peter Horvath’s Boulevard.

Congrats Peter, you’ve just gained an entirely new audience! Hope your bandwidth bill is paid up… permanent link to this post

May 22, 2008

AutoTrace #1 (Full Fathom Five), 2005

posted at 13:43 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

autotrace1.jpg
“AutoTrace #1 (Full Fathom Five)” (detail), 2005 permanent link to this post

May 21, 2008

Blackboard pro = dumb

posted at 15:43 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

bbp.jpg

Why do two (1,2) über-geeks think this is a good idea?

It’s a mind-boggingly stupid idea: #1 chalked-up sleeves; #2 erased messages via the chalked-up sleeves; and #3 you can’t see the to-dos when you’re using your computer (assuming at least *some* of the to-dos would have to be done with the computer). update: Not to mention the dust problem that the Boing Boing commenters point out.

It’s only a good idea if you never, ever remove the laptop from your desk and never open it. Sometimes the techno-nerds really lose all perspective. permanent link to this post

May 20, 2008

Orphan Artworks Bill

posted at 15:54 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

Lessig disses the Orphan Artworks Bill (PDF of bill) in the NYT today. The bill is currently making its way through the US Congress on a fast track. Here’s a summary of what’s in it. Ed Winkleman has a post about it as well.

I have to admit that I have no idea what to make of this proposal. But I outsource all my opinions regarding copyright to Lessig so I guess I’m against it.

update
More on this from the Electronic Frontier Foundation (they strongly support it). permanent link to this post

May 17, 2008

Oreilly remix

posted at 14:51 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid



This is pretty good. permanent link to this post

May 14, 2008

Chicago: feast on foie gras!

posted at 20:42 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

The evil Chicago foie gras ban has been overturned!

I only mention it now as it’s been discussed here before.

The thing that really irritates me about these foie gras bans is that the true food demons in our culture — large factory farms — have too much clout for animal activists to have any affect. So they end up picking on small, artisanal farmers creating a relatively rare delicacy.

M.River adds = Here is a NYT article on the “artisanal farmers” of foie gras - No Days Off at Foie Gras Farm.

T.Whid adds… er, ah… oops permanent link to this post

May 13, 2008

Rauschenberg dead!

posted at 14:49 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

OH SHIT!

NYT gots the details… permanent link to this post

May 10, 2008

Church of the Rough Guide at OTO

posted at 14:16 GMT by M.River in /news/mriver

May's OTO

Photographs from the Church of the Rough Guide at OTO last night are now up at Flicker. Yes, some people ate the shrimp off the walls.

OTO’s Flickr set permanent link to this post

May 09, 2008

…as goofy and perplexing and overwhelming and sad as the Internet itself

posted at 16:05 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

WANT, a collaboration between MTAA and Radical Software Group, uses 900 video clips of actors to illustrate search-engine requests. It’s as goofy and perplexing and overwhelming and sad as the Internet itself. The next time you use a search engine with one of those “Other users are currently searching for . . .” features, you won’t be able to resist picturing the forlorn, chubby face that goes with the query for “SALMA HAYEK EATING COOKIES.”


via Get Plugged In By ‘LIVE,’ the New Art Show at UC Irvine’s Beall Center for Art and Technology (OC Weekly ) permanent link to this post

May 08, 2008

Getty goat

posted at 14:20 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

Thought this was funny: Goats Eat Free at the Getty (NYT) permanent link to this post

May 07, 2008

Hasan Elahi on Colbert Report TONIGHT!

posted at 18:40 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

Just got this email from Hasan:
Tonight (May 7)
The Colbert Report
Comedy Central
11:30 (Eastern and Pacific)/10:30 (Central and Mountaln)

I’m going to be on The Colbert Report discussing my project, “Tracking Transience” and how do deal with being on a terrorist watchlist. Stephen Colbert is supposedly doing a little story on Nelson Mandela still being on the terrorist watchlist…I guess Mandela was unavailable, so they called me.

We met Hasan at the Creative Capital retreat in ‘06. If only all the terrorists on the watchlists were like Hasan, the world would be a happy place…

If you don’t know Hasan’s project, “Tracking Transience,” you should check it out! permanent link to this post

May 06, 2008

Conflux 08

posted at 15:34 GMT by M.River in /news/mriver

ss5k brooklyn

Conflux 07 - MTAA’s Super Slow 5k

Conflux is the annual art and technology festival for the creative exploration of urban public space. The 2008 festival takes place September 11 - 14 throughout New York City. You can now submit a proposal to participate in the 08 festival here.

The deadline is May 31, 2008. permanent link to this post

Nick Lesley and Eben Lillie’s Church of the Rough Guide

posted at 12:42 GMT by M.River in /news/mriver


On May 9, from 7pm to 10pm, Over The Opening is please to present “Church of the Rough Guide”, a new installation by Nick Lesley and Eben Lillie. “Church of the Rough Guide” continues the themes and characters found in recent their performance “Rough Guide to the Grotesque”.

“Church of the Rough Guide” is devoted to the lessons of the “Rough Guide to the Grotesque” as written by the great travel writer, Boreas. “Rough Guide to the Grotesque” is a tall tale that depicts an idealistic hero whose principles live on in all of us today. On a quest for love and companionship he faced many dangers. He was deceived by a false idol of love and engaged in a battle of sexual appetites with his apparent soul mate, Sophia of the Forest. He died tragically shortly after finding happiness in joining the Caridea tribe; a juicy, fleshy commune. The story contains lessons of love, comradery, lust, and community which are valuable to us all.

The performance of “Rough Guide to the Grotesque” was made possible with the help of the cast, The Living Theatre, Materials for the Arts, and the House of Yes (RIP). The work premiered at The Living Theatre in April of 2008.

Rough Guide To The Grotesque
permanent link to this post

May 03, 2008

Ah, the good ole days

posted at 00:14 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

A Comparative Study of Apples and Oranges

Introduction

MTAA for Website Unseen #98 (ed: this piece no longer works in contemporary browsers FYI) with support from MT Science.

This introduction will cover the main themes of the larger study soon to be published. The comparison of apples and oranges should be viewed within the 3 main aspects of fruit usage in the United States. These aspects being (1) pleasure, (2) nutrition and (3) decorative display. This study compares apples and oranges within the cultural and national boundaries of the United States.

Areas used for comparison in this study.
1. Color
2. Shape and Texture (includes skin and meat)
3. Taste
4. Nutritional Value
5. Economics (includes price and availability)
6. Traditional and Non-Traditional Uses

I. COLOR

MTAA conducted comparison tests of the colors of the two fruits with these criteria in mind. 1) In what quantity does the fruit’s color promote appetite for it, i.e. does the red color of a granny smith promote greater appetite than the orange color of a Sunkist. (For the purposes of this study we’ve included only red apples and no golden or yellow.) 2) Does the color promote each fruit’s decorative display in a domestic or commercial setting, including dining room tables, sideboards, coffee tables, kitchen tables, etc in domestic settings and retail furniture outlets. Boardroom tables, reception desks and marketing and/or advertising materials were judged in non-fruit related industries. These studies involved interviews with lay people and professionals who generally use fruit as decorative devices. MTAA also used laboratory studies designed to elicit responses from subjects as to their proclivity to either apples or oranges as decorative devices. We used only color in these studies and experiments and did similar experiments using shape and texture as the criteria.

II. SHAPE AND TEXTURE

MTAA compared these characteristics using the same criteria with similar sampling and testing procedures as the color tests. We measured how the shape and texture promoted appetite and decorative display. These tests were conducted both through visual inspection of shape and texture as well as through a tactile inspection i.e. a “feel” test. With the tactile test MTAA added an identifier section, quantifying which fruit was more easily identified through touch.

III. TASTE

MTAA conducted numerous taste tests using people, monkeys, rats and parrots as testers. With each test group we tested which fruit was more preferred. A Crave Test was also conducted, which measured which fruit was more craved by the test groups. The Crave Test is methodologically very complicated and the details will be published in the full study but it measures how often the test subjects thought of, visualized, or sought after the fruit.

MTAA also tested the taste and crave-ability of prepared foods that use the two fruits as a main ingredient including juices.

IV. NUTRITIONAL VALUE

Using data from the USDA, MTAA compared the nutritional values of the fruits as well as a number of prepared foods that use the fruits as a main ingredient.

V. ECONOMICS

MTAA compared the availability and price during different times of the year in different parts of the US using empirical data provided by the National Apple Growers Association and the National Orange Growers Association. MTAA have also created a comprehensive price/nutrition ratio for all parts of the country for the year 1998.

VI. TRADITIONAL AND NON-TRADITIONAL USES

MTAA did extensive anthropological research into the uses of the two fruits in different cultural contexts such as ingredients in recipes, prominence in religious ceremonies, use as motivational awards, depiction in art and architecture, and general status symbols within different cultural categories. These categories included the contemporary dominant culture of the US, contemporary and historical subcultures, indigenous populations, and small-scale societies both contemporary and historical.

These studies yielded data with which MTAA could create an “Importance Factor” within each cultural category.

The wealth of information which these comparison studies yeilded is currently being analyzed at the MT Science Labs. MTAA forecast a 2004 release of the Comparative Study of Apples and Oranges.

published 2/28/00 permanent link to this post

Apr 30, 2008

Cause Caller

posted at 20:58 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid



The impressive Fred Benenson has released his ITP master’s thesis project.

It’s called Cause Caller and it makes it easy for anyone to call politicians and bug them about stuff they care about. One can also create a cause and get all one’s friends to bug politicians that might help the cause.

Lots more on the Cause Caller site, including a demo video, so check it out… permanent link to this post

Apr 29, 2008

Self-Selected SuperSt*rs TONIGHT!

posted at 13:28 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

Reminder: MTAA is doing a live demonstration TONIGHT!

On April 29 from 8PM to 10PM, in a Sunset Park factory, the artist collaboration MTAA shoot and simultaneously screen two films… starring you.

Two directors/camera operators will set up at Light Industry deep in the heart of Brooklyn. The space will have some cheap/random props and costumes. If you want some acting direction, we’ll have scripts and improv notes ready. If acting isn’t your thing, just come in and be your fabulous self. The shooting will be continuous and casual with both films projected live for your viewing pleasure. Join us for the entire shoot or just walk in for your close-up.

More info here

Plus, as a SPECIAL BONUS, T.Whid will conduct a screening of contemporary loops. It’ll work like this:

while (!handsInTheAir) {loop;}

It will loop and iterate AT THE SAME TIME!

Be there or be something with 4 right angles!

FREE

lightindustry.org
Events take place in Industry City
55 33rd Street (between 2nd and 3rd Avenue), 3rd Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11232
(directions) permanent link to this post

Apr 27, 2008

i like america…

posted at 17:27 GMT by M.River in /news/mriver

i like america and america likes me

New artwork - “i like america and america likes me” is an open wiki history of America and Michael Sarff at http://americaandme.wetpaint.com/

I’m just trying to figure it all out. Yes, I can use your help. permanent link to this post

Apr 25, 2008

Sunday forecast (LOVE + HATE) x 100

posted at 19:18 GMT by M.River in /news/mriver

Sunday Forecast
High 53 degrees F
Chance of precipitation 30 percent

ARTWALKING: Eyewash’s 10 year Anniversary Show
Curated by Larry Walczak & Donna Kessinger.
30 artist in 30 storefornts on Bedford Ave, Brooklyn
April 27 through June 8, 2008
Opening Sunday April 27 (2 to 8 pm)

MTAA will be showing (LOVE + HATE) x 100 at Amarcord Vintage Fashion - 233 Bedford Ave between N4 and N5

MTAA will also be hanging out a Spike Hill (Bedford and N7) in a booth in the back around 6pm if you want to join us.

Tom Brumley @ Bedford Fruits & Vegetables
Peter Fox @ Earwax
Asha Ganpat @ Blackbird Parlour
Linda Ganjian @ Catbird
David Kramer @ Trojanowski Liquors
Peter Krieder @ Bedford Cheese Shop
Hiroshi Kumagi @ Bliss
Yuliya Lanina @ Mini Mart
Jeesoo Lee @ Kings Pharmacy
Lisa Levy @ The Health Food Store
Nora Ligorano & Marshall Reese @ Reel Life
Rebecca Major @ Peters since 1969
Ben Marxen @ Northside Pharmacy
Sebastian Masuelli @ Spike Hill
Ondi McMaster @ Ella’s
Shari Mendelson @ Uva Wines
Vikki Michalios @ Angelicas Beauty Shop
Jonas Mekas @ Spoonbill
MTAA @ Amarcord
Diane Nerwen @ Ugly Luggage
Rune Olsen @ Victoria’s Coffee Shop
Catya Plate @ Eyeco Vision
Bob Seng & Lisa Hein @ NYC Pet
Amanda Thackray @ Bagelsmith
Ishmael Randall Weeks @ Oculus 20/20
Sante Scardillo @ Kasia’s
Tamika Kawata @ N7 Deli
Gandalf Gavan @ Brooklyn Industries

update - photo from the install, more pics soon…

(love + hate) x 100 on bedford permanent link to this post

Apr 22, 2008

Charges against Kurtz dismissed

posted at 19:15 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

Finally some sanity…

++++

April 21, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JUDGE DISMISSES MAIL FRAUD CASE AGAINST BIO-ARTIST KURTZ

Buffalo, NY—A process that has taken nearly four years may be coming to an end. On Monday, April 21, Federal Judge Richard J. Arcara ruled to dismiss the indictment against University at Buffalo Professor of Visual Studies Dr. Steven Kurtz.

In June 2004, Professor Kurtz was charged with two counts of mail fraud and two counts of wire fraud stemming from an exchange of $256 worth of harmless bacteria with Dr. Robert Ferrell, Professor of Human Genetics at the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health.

Dr. Kurtz planned to use the bacteria in an educational art exhibit about biotechnology with his award-winning art and theater collective, Critical Art Ensemble.

Professor Kurtz’ lawyer, Paul Cambria, said that his client was “pleased and relieved that this ordeal may be coming to an end.”

The prosecution has the right to appeal this dismissal. How the prosecution will proceed is unknown at this time. If an appeal were undertaken the case would move to the New York Second Circuit Court of Appeals in New York City.

Lucia Sommer, Coordinator of the CAE Defense Fund, which raises funds for Kurtz’ legal defense, said, “We are all grateful that after reviewing this case, Judge Arcara took appropriate action.” She added that “this decision is further testament to our original statements that Dr. Kurtz is completely innocent and never should have been charged in the first place.” permanent link to this post

Shvarts update: Yale wants it stopped

posted at 14:09 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

Stolen wholesale from the NYT:

Yale University said on Monday that it would not allow a senior to participate in a campus art exhibition unless she made a written statement that her “performance,” in which she repeatedly inseminated herself and then induced miscarriages, was a fiction that she had concocted. In an article on Thursday in The Yale Daily News, the student, Aliza Shvarts, right, was quoted as saying that she had inseminated herself “as often as possible” over several months while taking herbal drugs to induce miscarriages, which she recorded on video to display for her senior-year art project at a show beginning on campus on Tuesday. Her claim drew intense criticism. Yale said last week that Ms. Shvarts had told three university officials that she had not inseminated herself or induced abortions but had made up the story as part of the project. On Friday, however, Ms. Shvarts insisted she had really experienced “repeated, self-induced miscarriages,” although she said that she had not known if she was actually pregnant. Yale officials said the denials were part of the continuing art performance, and on Monday demanded that it end. Peter Salovey, the dean of Yale College, and Robert Storr, dean of the School of Art, also said that they had found “serious errors of judgment” on the part of Ms. Shvarts’s adviser and an art instructor who knew of the project. They did not identify the adviser or instructor, though Ms. Shvarts has said that her adviser was Pia Lindman. Mr. Salovey said that “appropriate action” had been taken against the two teachers, but did not elaborate. Neither Ms. Shvarts nor Ms. Lindman could be reached for comment.


Me? Ambivalent about it… permanent link to this post

Apr 21, 2008

(LOVE + HATE) x 100

posted at 21:38 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

love_hate_thumb.gif

New art! From MTAA! It’s on the web! You’ll need QuickTime!

click this: (LOVE + HATE) x 100 permanent link to this post

Apr 19, 2008

Vote for us

posted at 19:04 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

Rhizome members!

MTAA has submitted a proposal for the Rhizome Commissions Program. If you would like to get yours truly some cash to make some damn art, then go here and vote for us.

Go here. Vote for us. It’s simple. It’s here.

You can vote for some other people too, but first, vote for us! If you’re not a Rhizome member, you can’t vote for us. You can become a Rhizome member if you have a burning desire to vote for us (and you should vote for us).

Stop reading this and go vote for us already! permanent link to this post

Apr 18, 2008

Starving dogs, aborting fetuses as art

posted at 13:38 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

Is any of it true?

+++

According to MTAA’s highly placed BIG media sources, Aliza Shvarts, abortion artist and Yale student, has said she never knew if she was pregnant and only took herbal abortifacients. Also the AP is reporting that it was a hoax. It’s always nice to see the right-wing blogs get punk’d big time so I’d give her a C.

update
There’s more here. According to Yale, it’s a fiction. Shvarts is trying to stick to her guns, but ends up sounding clueless. If she’s trying to play everyone, she’s pretty hamhanded. Someone needs to tell her that if you’re going to create fiction, you need to keep the fiction up for everybody.

+++

What about that starving dog? I can’t figure this out. Also seems like a hoax (or, perhaps, a fiction). Ed Winkleman covered this a tad and on his blog he posts a message from the gallerist that they fed the dog and it was only tied in the gallery for 3 hours during an opening. (Is it cruel to chain up a dog?) The dog subsequently got away.

Unless the gallery is lying (they could be, but I’ll take them at their word), I don’t see how this was cruel. Sounds less cruel than walking by the starving animal in the street and doing nothing. I don’t get it. The petition against the artist seems sort of like that right-wing punk of the left where folks signed a petition to ban dihydrogen monoxide. But in this case you get to sign a petition against something that never happened to stop it from happening again, though there are no plans to make it happen again (and it never happened in the first place).

(Sorry M.River, stomped on your post, which was really, really funny.) permanent link to this post

m.river on warren ellis on aliza shvarts

posted at 13:30 GMT by M.River in /news/mriver

“If she’s doing what I think she’s doing, Aliza Shvarts might be the first “great” conceptual artist of the internet age.”

warrenellis.com

In the post below, I, M.River, revealed to the artblogshere my blessing and curse of Infallibility. I would like to now reveal my first post Infallible revelation truth.

At first you will think only of this truth as M.River once again just speaking the facts. Please go beyond this point. Please meditate on this truth until you reach the next level where the world becomes clear and your art reality sharp. Here is the truth.

JODI is the first great conceptual artist of the internet age not some student at Yale who punked Gawker.

Go now in peace and love. permanent link to this post

Apr 16, 2008

m.river speaks…

posted at 13:01 GMT by M.River in /news/mriver

Although I’m not sure what drove T.Whid to write this disclaimer, I thought I’d follow up with my own.

SS5K ROMA

To whom it may concern,

Everything I, M.River, post on the MTAA-RR is true. Not only are the posts true and unbiased, but they should be thought of as truths that point to a greater reality that goes beyond right and wrong.

No… no, that’s nice, but you do not need to thank me, toss flowers at my feet or build small shrines in my honor. I’m here to give you the truth because you deserve it. Yes, I do all this for you.

Take care and try to be nice to each other today or you will feel my wrath.

+++

twhid update:
hahahahahahaha permanent link to this post

Just to be clear…

posted at 02:34 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

T.Whid’s posts on this blog represent his opinions. There is no objectivity here. I’ll post notices for my friend’s shows but not your show; link to positive reviews of MTAA’s work, but not negative; link to positive reviews of artists I like, but not negative; support Rhizome uncritically; write exuberant things about stuff I love; post mean critiques about stuff I hate; write nice things about my friends, just because they’re my friends; narcissistically post lots and lots and lots of stuff about MTAA — sometimes to the exclusion of everything else; tell lies; and generally spout off all kinds of crazy shit.

I have no institutional affiliation to anything in the art world and my opinions are my own (so leave M.River out of it).

(I finally understand why so many blogs out there post these sorts of disclaimers.) permanent link to this post

Apr 15, 2008

Self-Selected Super St*rs

posted at 13:43 GMT by M.River in /news/mriver

MTAA’s Self-Selected Super St*rs
Tuesday, April 29, 2008 at 8pm
at Light Industry

ssss

On April 29 from 8PM to 10PM, in a Sunset Park factory, the artist collaboration MTAA shoot and simultaneously screen two films…starring you.

Are you great at off-the-cuff repartee? Look good taking a nap? Able to read bad sci-fi scripts out loud without laughing? Or are you just perfect at hanging out and being you?

MTAA needs you to star in our low budget and barely (if at all) scripted film. Think Chelsea Girls meets Plan 9 from Outer Space while watching Empire. If Michel Gondry’s “Be Kind Rewind” at Deitch Projects is about the positive power of DIY, MTAA’s “Self-Selected Super St*rs” is about the malaise of knowing that all future “it” girls will never really be Edie. It’s about the ever present fear of running out of beer before the night ends.

Here’s how it works:

Two directors/camera operators will set up at Light Industry deep in the heart of Brooklyn. The space will have some cheap/random props and costumes. If you want some acting direction, we’ll have scripts and improv notes ready. If acting isn’t your thing, just come in and be your fabulous self. The shooting will be continuous and casual with both films projected live for your viewing pleasure. Join us for the entire shoot or just walk in for your close-up.

FREE

lightindustry.org
Events take place in Industry City
55 33rd Street (between 2nd and 3rd Avenue), 3rd Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11232 permanent link to this post

2 more photos

posted at 12:44 GMT by M.River in /news/mriver

Mattes' the Surrogates at OTO
Mattes' the Surrogates at OTO

twhid update
Couple more photos here and here too :-) permanent link to this post

Apr 13, 2008

Arc of “The Surrogates”

posted at 21:22 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

A contemporary performance art piece by Eva and Franco Mattes (a.k.a. 0100101110101101.ORG) via MTAA.

01s

sur•ro•gate transitive verb: to put in the place of another: to appoint as successor, deputy, or substitute for oneself

On Friday April 11, 2008 as part of its monthly curatorial project, art collective MTAA premiered “The Surrogates,” a performance art piece exploring the nature of perceived identity and representation, credited to European-based art collective 0100101110101101.ORG (in absentia).

Presented at MTAA’s OTO art space in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, the two-hour piece began at 7 p.m. with an open bar and velvet rope welcoming attendees in the hallway.

Inside the OTO space proper, two rows of two chairs (numbered 1-4) faced a low stage featuring a 4’x6’ projection screen (center) and a small television monitor (stage right). Attendees entered the darkened room four at a time, their assigned seats facing a slightly delayed projection of themselves. The monitor revealed hallway activity in real time.

the_surrogates_thumb.jpg
(click for a larger image)

The attendees (now participants) were given no explanation of the piece, though they were invited do as they pleased within the space and to leave at their leisure. Re-entry was not permitted however, and those exiting the piece were immediately replaced by those next behind the velvet rope.

“The Surrogates” reaches its 180-degree apex via this text. Please note that while the Mattes (0100101110101101.ORG.) are credited as the authors of this seminal performance, MTAA designed, built and executed this work in its entirety.

The Mattes graciously agreed to lend their identity to “The Surrogates,” and for their essential contribution, receive 50 percent authorship and financial stake in “The Surrogates.”

MTAA, 2008

http://tinajil.com/over_the_opening
http://mteww.com
http:// 0100101110101101.ORG permanent link to this post

Apr 11, 2008

The Surrogates — TONIGHT!!

posted at 16:34 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

A reminder to everybody — come to our studio tonight for some performance/video/something art!

Eva and Franco Mattes continue their investigations into power, authorship and identity with “The Surrogates” a new performance based video project. Combining elements of theater, video, surveillance, and social interaction, “The Surrogates” transforms OTO into an experimental social space questioning the distinction between the viewer and the viewed.

More info here

7 - 10PM tonight, April 11, at Over The Opening (map) in Brooklyn.

twhid update
Monkeys as surrogate children… (via Boing Boing) permanent link to this post

tinjail at

NJDx10(3)

Oh, Hey. One of my Tinjail photos is up now at I Heart Photograph’s “Is it possible to make a photograph of New Jersey regardless of where you are in the world?” show.

text about the photo

Last night I rented the 1995 film New Jersey Drive; the top result in the ImDB for the search “New Jersey.” I then photographed the DVD as it played to capture 10 landscapes. The resulting photos are not of Newark, the setting of the film, but of Williamsburg Brooklyn where the film was shot and I called home in 1995.

Apr 09, 2008

Creative Capital ! Wikipedia

posted at 15:22 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

Can it be possible that there is no entry for Creative Capital on Wikipedia?

I’ve tried a couple of searches. No dice.

Maybe someone less lazy than I will fix this egregious error. permanent link to this post

Back in NYC

posted at 15:07 GMT by M.River in /news/mriver

Back from the “secret” Cali recon. I’ll post more pics tonight.

IMGP0468

Update - Pics now up at Tinjail and MTAA’s Flickr site permanent link to this post

Apr 06, 2008

Want at the Beall

posted at 21:48 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

M.River is the official documenter of MTAA activities. Since he’s currently still on secret assignment on the west coast you may have to wait a bit for the photo documentation of the exhibition of Want as part of LIVE (more info) at the Beall Center, but here’s a quick shot from the opening (click for a larger image):

want@beall01_small.jpg

The show was a great success with lots of fine work and lots of folks showing up to check out the art. We were very honored to be included in the exhibition with the other great artists. permanent link to this post

Mar 30, 2008

going

posted at 13:49 GMT by M.River in /news/mriver

Oh yeah…I just got a flickr “pro”. You can now enjoy all 493 nuggets of on line snaps and art…like this littel gem of pain -

small performance

Need more? Don’t forget ye ol’ Tintype
permanent link to this post

The Surrogates - Eva and Franco Mattes at OTO on April 11

posted at 12:49 GMT by M.River in /news/mriver

01s

On April 11, from 7pm to 10pm, Over The Opening is please to present a new video performance work by Eva and Franco Mattes (0100101110101101.org)

surrogate - substitute, proxy, replacement; deputy, representative, stand-in, standby, stopgap, relief, pinch-hitter, understudy.

Eva and Franco Mattes continue their investigations into power, authorship and identity with “The Surrogates” a new performance based video project. Combining elements of theater, video, surveillance, and social interaction, “The Surrogates” transforms OTO into an experimental social space questioning the distinction between the viewer and the viewed.

Eva and Franco Mattes works have been shown internationally including: Collection Lambert, Avignon; Fondazione Pitti Discovery, Florence, Postmasters Gallery, New York; Lentos Museum of Modern Art, Linz; New Museum of Contemporary Art, New York; ICC, Tokyo; Manifesta4, Frankfurt.

They received the Jerome Commission from the Walker Art Center, and are among the youngest artists to ever participate to the Venice Biennale. In 2006 they received a fellowship from Colombia University, New York.

Mattes’ works are part of several private and public collections such as the Walker Art Center, Minneapolis; MEIAC, Spain; MAK, Vienna.

More info at Over the Opening
permanent link to this post

Mar 28, 2008

LIVE @ Beall Press Release

posted at 15:02 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

MTAA + RSG’s new multi-channel video/software installation, Want, is being premiered at the exhibition LIVE at the Beall Center for Art and Technology, UC Irvine next week!

More on Want here and here.

Along with MTAA & RSG, LIVE includes artists Karen Finley, Siebren Versteeg, Natalie Bookchin, Ben Rubin, Aphid Stern and Michael Dale and is curated by David Familian.

Read the official press release (format smorgasbord):
Google doc
Word (.doc)
OpenOffice (.odt)
PDF

Excerpt below:
BRIEF OVERVIEW
What is the meaning of “live” in today’s virtual world? The Beall Center for Art and Technology is pleased to present LIVE, an exhibit which features nine artists who sample and transform data, photographs and video from the Internet and incorporate it into their sculptures and installations. The LIVE exhibit will be open to viewers April 3 – June 7, 2008.

[…]

CURATOR’S STATEMENT
The title of this exhibition poses a question—how do we define and experience what is live when the majority of our daily interactions are increasingly mediated and reconfigured by various technologies? And how does this change our perception of what is considered real or actual versus what is virtual? Līve features nine artists who sample and transform data, photographs and video from the Internet and incorporate it into their sculptures and installations. Either extracting live footage or transmitting data in real time, they cull from diverse sources including Congressional speeches from C-Span, websites with Iraqi war casualties, a critique of consumerism from a peer-to-peer network and on-line video surveillance. As the artists isolate ideas and images from the steady stream of unrelenting data, they produce thought-provoking, aesthetic and “līve” works of art that also challenge our ideas of real and virtual experience.

In 1889 in Time and Free Will, the philosopher Henri Bergson suggested that the “real” and the “unreal” do not exist, there is only the actual and virtual — the actual is that which science describes and quantifies, while the virtual is what we process in our minds. As we take in the input of the actual world through our senses and process a series of physical and quantifiable information, it is transformed into conscious and unconscious responses, as our minds become a repository of virtual experiences.

As communication technologies such as telegraph and telephone were invented, there was suddenly a great physical distance between the sender and the receiver. The innovation of radio and television broadcast media increased this spatial displacement even further, transforming one-to-one personal communication into live events experienced by masses of people. The advent of recording technology increased displacement not just the spatially but also temporally: recordings became like memories fixed in both form and time, just as writing allowed speech to be fixed as text. As Plato noted in his famous account of conversations between Socrates and Phaedrus, throughout history the direct experience and dialogical nature of live speech has always been privileged over recorded text.

Even today it is always emphasized and privileged when any event—a breaking news story, a natural disaster, a sports match or a performance is presented “live.” Since the 1990s with the omnipresence of the Internet and more recently, Web 2.0 technologies such as You Tube, Flicker and social net-working sites, the notion of live experiences has become more spontaneous and democratized. Artists noticed these changes in the mid-1990s in the first generation of web-based artworks.

The artists in Live build upon this early work, but expand that vocabulary, extending their art from the web page into the gallery. Their wide range of approaches, forms and methods explore the space/time displacements of mediated events and how those events are both transmitted and remediated.


Read the entire press release permanent link to this post

Mar 27, 2008

Awareness Test

posted at 16:02 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

via Boing Boing



http://www.dothetest.co.uk/ permanent link to this post

“Off the Grid” Exhibition @ the Neuberger

posted at 14:45 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

(…you know I only post about my friends.)

erar-at.jpg

Via emailed press release:
EcoArtTech will be demonstrating their Environmental Risk Assessment Rover-­AT at Purchase College, SUNY, Purchase, NY each evening at dusk on 3/27, 3/28, and 3/29, 2008.

Ecoarttech’s ERAR-AT is part of the Neuberger Museum of Art’s “Off the Grid” Exhibition, March 30 - June 1, 2008. “Off the Grid” features works that subvert and circumvent conventional infrastructures. Co-presented by the Neuberger Museum of Art and free103point9 and curated by Jacqueline Shilkoff, Galen Joseph-Hunter, Tianna Kennedy, and Tom Roe.
http://www.free103point9.org/events/1678

Participating artists: Benjamin Cohen, Dylan Gauthier, and Stephan von Muehlen, EcoArtTech, eteam, Max Goldfarb, Louis Hock, Nina, Katchadourian, Kristin Lucas, Joe McKay, Trevor Paglen, Temporary Services, Seth Weiner, Bart Woodstrup
permanent link to this post

Mar 25, 2008

not fairs

posted at 13:06 GMT by M.River in /news/mriver

buck hunter

With our email boxes full of press and the sound of art blog engine revving, the NYC art world heads into Fair Week. Here are two “Alt. Fairs” that I would like to note. Why? I just like the idea that they exist.

Disarmory
Dark Fair
permanent link to this post

Mar 23, 2008

photo from last night’s Masolit with the Creationists show at OTO

posted at 15:37 GMT by M.River in /news/mriver

Masolit and the Creationists at OTO

Happy Easter. Photos from last night’s Masolit / Creationist show at Over The Opening show are now up at OTO’s Flickr set and Tintype

We are also as happy as bunnies with gifts of chocolate eggs to announce that the April 11 OTO show will be a new performance based video installation by Eva and Franco Mattes (0100101110101101.org). Word. More details soon. permanent link to this post

Mar 21, 2008

NY art fairs 08

posted at 14:22 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

They kinda snuck up on me this year… looks like they’re next week. Sometimes I’m just a tad too out of touch with the art world.

…considering skipping them this year. Is it because I don’t care? Or because I’m just bitter at not being part of the market? Whatever. I hate art fairs — even work I like looks horrid in those packed little stalls. It reminds me of ogling animals in zoos; it always makes me sad. permanent link to this post

Creative Capital scores .5mil for new media

posted at 02:18 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

This is good. Via press release:
CREATIVE CAPITAL RECEIVES GRANT FROM THE TOBY FUND TO SUPPORT EMERGING FIELDS ARTISTS

$540,000 to benefit artists working in alternative gaming, internet-based activism, new media installations, robotics, and more

NEW YORK, NY (March 20, 2008) — Creative Capital, the premier national artist support organization, is the recipient of a major, three-year gift from The TOBY Fund, established by collector, philanthropist, and former curator Toby Devan Lewis. This $540,000 gift specifically supports the production costs of Creative Capital emerging fields artists, a category that encompasses artists whose work includes imaginative uses of new technologies, as well as genre-blurring applications of familiar creative practices.

“From our very first grant round in 1999, Creative Capital was committed to artists whose work doesn’t neatly fit the usual discipline categories,” said Creative Capital’s president Ruby Lerner, “While the sometimes indefinable nature of these projects is tremendously exciting, it also creates a handicap, as this kind of work often lacks the support infrastructure of more traditionally defined disciplines. Ms. Lewis has always had a similar passion for artists who boldly cross all sorts of boundaries — discipline, aesthetic, thematic — and we’re thrilled that The TOBY Fund for Emerging Fields at Creative Capital will draw more attention to how these artists challenge the very landscape of the contemporary arts.”

The TOBY Fund grant will allow Creative Capital to support more of its emerging fields grantees at the $50,000 level, the organization’s maximum award. These artists will also benefit from the organization’s trademark program of artist services, which is valued at an additional $25,000 per artist. To date, Creative Capital has funded 48 emerging fields projects representing 65 artists, with $1.1 million in direct funding and more than $1 million in artist services. Artists previously supported through this category include Cory Arcangel, Luca Buvoli, Hasan Elahi, Marie Sester and art collectives such as The Yes Men and SubRosa. The organization is currently conducting a grant round that will result in another class of emerging fields grantees being announced in early 2009.
permanent link to this post

Mar 17, 2008

Masolit and the Creationists at OTO Saturday, March 22nd (7pm to 10pm)

posted at 20:04 GMT by M.River in /news/mriver

masolit

On Saturday, March 22nd from 7pm to 10 pm, OTO is pleased present the debut live performance of Masolit, a new music project featuring vocalist/producer Margaret Jameson (also known as tinydiva), mix master/producer Phil Painson, and guitarist/melodist extraordinaire Tom Jameson. Before forming Masolit, Phil and Margaret performed together at many New York City venues including Bowery Ballroom, Galapagos, Brownie’s, CBGB’s and Fez as members of the downtown ensemble Market. Influenced by a wide spectrum of musical styles embracing hip-hop, funk, old-ass blues, French Impressionism and electro, Masolit seeks to create an innovative original music culture for the masses.

Opening for Masolit will be the Creationists, consisting of Abe Maneri (keyboards) and Tom Jameson (guitar). They will present a set of eclectic preludes comprising both unpremeditated and intelligently designed phases.

Saturday, March 22nd (7pm to 10pm)

7pm The Creationists

8pm Masolit

To hear Masolit’s latest recording “NSA” go to www.myspace.com/masolit or www.masolit.net

OTO is located at 60 North 6th Street (2nd floor) Brooklyn, NY, 11211
L train to Bedford Avenue
3 Blocks west on North 6th - just shy of Kent
permanent link to this post

MTAA + RSG premier Want

posted at 14:26 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid


Want @ Beall Apr 3, ‘08

We’re very happy to announce that in our first major collaboration with RSG, we’ll premier a new multiple channel algorithmic video installation entitled “Want” as part of the exhibition “Live” opening April 3rd, 2008 at the Beall Center for Art & Technology.

Watch the ‘teaser’ trailer above. And there’s more here: http://mtaa.net/want/

+++ a description +++

People want what they want NOW. Instinct tells us to get as much as we can as fast as we can – and the Internet obliges. Instant gratification meets infinite opportunity – be it information, commerce, employment, acceptance or love. And yet the majority of bandwidth is dedicated to base human behavior, i.e. celebrity gossip and pornography.

Nobody needs poorly Photoshopped pictures of naked Britney Spears – but hey! If they’re out there, why not look? The Internet gives our less-seemly desires space to grow, allowing us to anonymously indulge curiosities, perversions and fetishes that most would never pursue in a public space. And yet “virtual reality” has ceased to exist. What we think of as the “real world” now encompasses the Internet. We download movie clips and call our co-workers to watch. We shop online and have goods delivered to our home. We meet through matchmaking web sites. No more virtual vs. real. It’s all real now.

“Want” explores the current climate of society over-stimulated by the bombardment of technological instant gratification, and the very definite, yet-to-be-revealed implications and issues of accountability and responsibility surrounding virtuality. Here, the Internet’s underbelly is exposed; pushing the quiet, anonymous behavior that flourishes in cyberspace into public space, forcing us to reevaluate this behavior if it were to take place in the physical community.

The life-sized six-screen video display uses custom software to monitor real time Internet searches. When the software finds a programmed keyword, it triggers a video clip of one of several actors/avatars who translates the virtual request to reality.

A soccer mom says, “I want French.”
A rocker dude says, “I want Star Trek Enterprise.”
A nondescript middle-aged guy says, “I want Little Girl.”
A girl says, “I want Forever.”

The six video screens are triggered almost concurrently, causing the voiced requests to overlap. The result is an audio-visual cacophony of desire; an online echo chamber of warped reality.

+++

“Want” is funded by a grant from the Creative Capital Foundation. permanent link to this post

Mar 13, 2008

Rhizome’s widgets

posted at 18:47 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

Rhizome released a bunch of widgets for their site. You can now easily add bits of code to your web site that displays your portfolio, Rhizome news and lots more. Check it out…

permanent link to this post

Mar 12, 2008

just thinking out loud on del.icio.us

posted at 16:26 GMT by M.River in /news/mriver

about artist who visualize communication

http://del.icio.us/m.river/vc permanent link to this post

Mar 07, 2008

a song for tim on friday

posted at 13:45 GMT by M.River in /news/mriver



“Losing My Edge” was the first LCD Soundsystem single released on 8 July 2002.

When I was DJing, playing Can, Liquid Liquid, ESG, all that kind of stuff, I became kind of cool for a moment, which was a total anomaly. And when I heard other DJs playing similar music I was like: ‘Fuck! I’m out of a job! These are my records!’ But it was like someone had crept into my brain and said all these words that I hate. Did I make the records? Did I fuck! So, I started becoming horrified by my own attitude. I had this moment of glory though. People would use me to DJ just to get them cool. They’d be like ‘It’s the cool rock disco guy’ and this was really weird. And to be honest I was afraid that this new found coolness was going to go away and that’s where ‘Losing My Edge’ comes from. It is about being horrified by my own silliness. And then it became a wider thing about people who grip onto other people’s creations like they are their own. There is a lot of pathos in that character though because it’s born out of inadequacy and love.
— James Murphy

twhid: haha, thanks dude! permanent link to this post

Mar 06, 2008

Rhizome Commissions Program

posted at 21:05 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

Rhizome logo

We’ve posted about this before, but here’s a reminder for everybody:

Deadline for applications: midnight, March 31, 2008

Rhizome says:
We support: New Media Art, by which we mean projects that creatively engage new and networked technologies and also works that reflect on the impact of these tools and media in a variety of forms. Commissioned projects can take the final form of online works, performance, video, installation or sound art. Projects can be made for the context of the gallery, the public, or the web.


Amount: 7 commissions in the amount of $3000-5000

Guidelines and application forms can be found here: http://rhizome.org/commissions/ permanent link to this post

Mar 05, 2008

Net art in polish

posted at 14:54 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

Ewa Wójtowicz’s book “net art” features MTAA’s Creative Commons-licensed Simple Net Art Diagram on the cover. It looks like you can get the book here.

Congrats on the book Ewa.

ewa_net_art.jpg permanent link to this post

Mar 03, 2008

Favorite color

posted at 15:55 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

red

Via some meanderings on-line I found this little blog interview with Cory Arcangel in reference to the new show at MoMA “Color Chart.”

In the blog post, the W mag editor asks Ellsworth Kelly, Robert Ryman and Frank Stella what their favorite colors are. None of these icons of color would say they had a favorite color.

Cory, of course, went against the grain and chose red…

As far as I can remember red has always looked good to me—on cars, on Detroit Redwing uniforms.


There is more than the age difference between the oldsters and Cory. First off, the old guys are all painters (more or less) but Cory isn’t. Cory was trained as a musician and I’d bet that if you asked him his favorite note he wouldn’t give you a definitive answer.

I was trained as a painter and in a recent MTAA project I had to answer the favorite color question and confidently stated that artists don’t have favorite colors. I think M.River chose blue….

blue


M.River adds - Yes, blue is good but if you look at my Tinjail.com site, you will see that my fav RGB bacground color is

#666666


t.whid updates
What M.River doesn’t know is that in CSS shorthand you can type the hexidecimal notation for grey like this:

#666

I put that color in every web project I do… just for fun and because I’m evil. So you could say that ‘#666’ is my favorite color. permanent link to this post

Mar 02, 2008

More on Büchel v. Mass MoCA

posted at 15:08 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

The NYT covers the “metaproject” that sprung from the “Training Ground for Democracy” debacle in this article: Accusations, Depositions: Just More Fodder for Art (don’t miss the slideshow).

(We’ve typed things about this fracas previously here and here.)

The work sounds and looks a tad tedious from what I can tell from the article, but one obviously can’t make an informed judgement unless one sees the work.

This quote of Büchel’s no artist should argue with:
“Who is going to decide what art is?” he wrote in an e-mail message. “For sure it is not the art institution if the authors are still alive and can speak.”

Word. permanent link to this post

Mar 01, 2008

Light Industry

posted at 16:39 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

MTAA will be taking part in the inaugural season of Light Industry, a new screening/performance/lecture series covering film and new media. It’s being organized by Ed Halter and Thomas Beard.

Some press release below and lots more on the web site: http://www.lightindustry.org. Looks awesome!
“The Blazing World,” a screening to be held on March 25, marks the beginning of Light Industry, a new venue for film and electronic art in Brooklyn, New York. Developed and overseen by Thomas Beard and Ed Halter, the project will begin as a series of weekly events this spring and summer, each organized by a different artist, critic, or curator, including Peggy Ahwesh, Cory Arcangel, Rebecca Cleman, Ben Coonley and Michael Smith, Bradley Eros and Brian Frye, eteam, Kendra Gaeta and Laris Kreslins, David Gatten, Lia Gangitano, Sandra Gibson and Luis Recoder, Sabrina Gschwandtner, Nick Hallett, William E. Jones, Andrew Lampert, Dennis Lim, Mark McElhatten, MTAA, Marisa Olson, Jacob Perlin, Seth Price, Jennifer Reeves, Eddo Stern, and Dan Streible, among others.

Conceptually, Light Industry draws equal inspiration from the long history of alternative art spaces in New York as well its storied tradition of cinematheques and other intrepid film exhibitors. Through a regular program of screenings, performances, and lectures, its goal is to explore new models for the presentation of time-based media. Bringing together the worlds of contemporary art, experimental cinema, new media, documentary film, and the academy, to name only a few, Light Industry looks to foster a complex dialogue amongst a wide range of artists and audiences within the city.

For its opening seasons, all events will take a place on Tuesdays at 8PM in Industry City, an industrial complex in Sunset Park, Brooklyn that’s home to a cross-section of manufacturing, warehousing and light industry. As part of a regeneration program intended to diversify the use of its 6 million square feet of space to better reflect 21st century production, Industry City now includes workspace for artists. In addition to offering studios at competitive rates, Industry City also provides a limited number of rent-stabilized studios for artists in need of low-cost rental space. This program was conceived in response to the lack of affordable workspace for artists in New York City and aims to establish a new paradigm for industrial redevelopment—one that does not displace artists, workers, local residents or industry but instead builds a sustainable community in a context that integrates cultural and industrial production.
permanent link to this post

Feb 29, 2008

Leap day! 2008!

posted at 16:39 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

LEAPDAYpoohDisney350.jpg

It’s leap day! What are you going to do with your extra day this year? I’m not planning on doing much… pretty much just a normal day. Perhaps next leap day I’ll make some plans to do something that I would only do every 4 years.

[Image found here; #1 hit on Google image search] permanent link to this post

Feb 28, 2008

Andy Warhol eating a hamburger

posted at 18:50 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid



via Rocketboom

update I
Kenyatta @ RB tells me they found the video on YouTube where it’s had over 200k views and over 800 comments.

I’m really curious as to the story behind this video… when it was made? where it was made? How this YouTuber got a hold of it…

For more famous artists doing fun things on video: Beastie Beuys.

update II (2/29)
Barry’s found another artist loving the Warhol eating a hamburger video.

And I received an email from Jacob Christensen with this info:
[…] It is an excerpt from a film made in 1981 by the Danish documentary film director and author Jørgen Leth called “66 Scenes from America”.

I remember seeing the excerpt at some time on Danish TV with Leth explaining the story - the point was quite simply to film Andy Warhol (an American icon) eating a hamburger (another American icon). Unfortunately, the film crew forgot to buy a soft drink along with the hamburger, but Warhol took — or rather ate —it in its stride.


More on Jørgen Leth at Wikipedia and IMDB permanent link to this post

Feb 27, 2008

Cory’s Colors

posted at 18:48 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

CoryColours.jpg

Cory Arcangel has released the Macintosh software that powers his “Colors” piece (first shown at Team in ‘06). Now anyone can make the work themselves.

Get it from his web site!

update
Rhizome has more info on this, including the fact that this piece is going to be shown at MoMA. If you hurry, you can exhibit it in your own apartment before it graces the mighty MoMA galleries. permanent link to this post

Feb 23, 2008

Photos of RSG’s KRIEGSPIEL LAN Party at OTO

posted at 15:03 GMT by M.River in /news/mriver

KRIEGSPIEL LAN Party at OTO

Photos from last night are now up at the OTO Flickr set and at Tintype

permanent link to this post

Feb 22, 2008

Let’s GET REAADYYY TO RUUUUUUMMMMBLE…

posted at 14:28 GMT by M.River in /news/mriver

RSG’S KRIEGSPIEL LAN Party
Tonight Only
BYOL (Bring your own Laptop)
(7pm to 10pm) at OTO
More info here

twhid update
And if the snow stops you then you were never really any competition anyway. permanent link to this post

Feb 21, 2008

Boing Boing tv covers Brody

posted at 15:07 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid



Brody Condon’s “Performance Modifcation (Nauman)” gets the BBtv treatment today.

10 performers outfitted in medieval/space/fantasy armor re-create Bruce Nauman’s 1973 work “Tony Sinking into the Floor, Face Up and Face Down”. Performed in slow motion and combined with movements based on computer game death animations, this piece is accompanied by a high volume binaural beats reputed to induce out of body experiences.

It’s pretty lame how BBtv seems to strip out the Nauman reference in the piece. I understand that it’s not their audience, but couldn’t they take a little bit of a stab at it? Boing Boing seems pretty allergic to contemporary art so it’s unsurprising.

Link to Boing Boing tv episode with comments and downloadable video. permanent link to this post

Feb 20, 2008

5 years of MTAA blogging

posted at 14:28 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

Nathaniel Stern reminds us *again* that our yearly blog-o-versary passed us by on Feb 9 without any wild celebrations.

Here’s the first post.

I’ve put it in my calendar so it we won’t miss it next time. (Isn’t technology wonderful?)

m.river adds - “OH YEAH! almost forgot, if you want a link on the side bar over there, let me know.” Yeah, never happened…or no one wanted to be in our side bar in the last 5 years. permanent link to this post

Feb 19, 2008

Lee Walton in Boston

posted at 21:14 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

poster_lw_boston.jpg

Lee Walton’s going to be bombarding Boston with his Lee Walton-ness in the coming weeks.

If I was in Boston I would be there. Since I’m in New York, it might not be possible to attend :(

Two events:

an artist talk at the Art Institute of Boston

and

a new performance at the Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston. permanent link to this post

Feb 15, 2008

Various bits 2/15/08

posted at 17:12 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

Lots of cool stuff today.

First, don’t forget — Kriegspiel LAN party rescheduled for Feb 22! Check it out!

+++

Second, Montage: Unmonumental Online, Rhizome’s portion of the New Museum’s Unmonumental goes live today. Congrats to the curators Lauren Cornell and Marisa Olson and all the artists involved.

+++

Last, and certainly not least, MTAA has released a brand spanking new piece of web art for 2008! Check it out…

Yes & No

+++

update
Cool new app on Facebook called ArtShare created by a team working out of the Brooklyn Museum. Check it out if you’re on FB. permanent link to this post

RSG’s KRIEGSPIEL LAN Party is back

posted at 13:18 GMT by M.River in /news/mriver

We sadly had to cancel this OTO event at the last minute but we’re back on for Friday February 22 (7pm to 10pm). Time to get your war on.

BYOL (Bring your own Laptop)

More info here permanent link to this post

Feb 12, 2008

CAE witch hunt continues

posted at 15:13 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

Federal harassment led one of the folks implicated in the witch hunt of Steven Kurtz to plead guilty to a misdemeanor charge. The NYT reports that Dr. Robert Ferrell was sentenced today to one year of unsupervised release and a $500 fine.

Lots more at the Critical Art Ensemble Defense Fund web site. permanent link to this post

Feb 11, 2008

Spec-ish

posted at 18:04 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

update 2/12
The creator of Pixish, Derek Powazek, has responded to the spec-work criticisms.

more update
I can only ask myself, was Mr. Powazek expecting some other response from creative professionals? Do a search for pixish spec and you can see the design community hating on this idea big time.

+++

Any artist, illustrator or photographer that takes part in Pixish is either a rank amateur or an idiot.

From the site:
  1. Create an Assignment. Ask for what you want.
  2. Get Submissions. People create and submit their work.
  3. Peer Review. Community voting helps find the best.
  4. Pick Winners. Select your favorites and download.
  5. Rewards! Winners get prizes and rewards.


Golly gee willikers — PRIZES!

I love #2 — “people create […] work” — they forget to mention, for absolutely FREE! This is called working on spec. It’s nothing new. Most professional artists, graphic designers, illustrators and photographers won’t work on spec because it devalues their work.

Now, I’m all for free culture, creative commons and sharing ones creative work if one chooses. In fact, MTAA chooses to liberally license lots of our work and we’ve been involved in the creative commons and free culture movements.

I see this Pixish site as something completely different however. If someone is doing their own work for whatever agenda they might have, then decides to share it or license it liberally, that’s one thing. But to set-up an entire operation on-line whose sole purpose is to entice newbies and amateurs into working on spec — perhaps it will be helpful for the creator, perhaps it won’t — and then gussying it with web 2.0 buzzwords, it just doesn’t sit right with me. permanent link to this post

Robbers Steal $160m in Art From Zurich

posted at 14:55 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

I was in Brooklyn all weekend. I swear.

AP via HuffPo

update
Is it wrong that when I read that the paintings were stolen from a collection amassed by a nazi collaborator that my sympathies instantly shifted to the thieves? permanent link to this post

Feb 08, 2008

Tonight’s OTO canceled

posted at 16:39 GMT by M.River in /news/mriver

Darn. Due to circumstances out of our control, we’re going to cancel the KRIEGSPIEL LAN Party at OTO tonight. We’ll reschedule soon and let you know the new date. Looks like late Feb, early March. permanent link to this post

Feb 07, 2008

Restless Crowd Control, 2001

posted at 13:38 GMT by M.River in /news/mriver


Restless Crowd Control (RCC) from mriver on Vimeo

Restless Crowd Control (RCC) was a one night installation at the Good Bad Art Collective in Brooklyn (2001).- slide projections, video projections, internet video-conferencing, custom police barricades, music by Willing (Fritz Welch, Ian Christe) and special guest Stephen O’Malley (of Sunn 0))), Khanate and Lotus Eaters). The linked vid is a 20 mins still shot of Willing’s performance. Play loud. Enjoy.

twhid sez - Awesome! I didn’t even know we had video of this. Whatever happened to Good Bad anyway?

M.River updates - Fritz just emailed to note that the secound guitar (off screen with Ian) is Stephen O’Malley of Sunn 0))), Khanate and Lotus Eaters. Also, I’ve been told that the Good Bad Art Collective (Denton /Brooklyn) split soon after. permanent link to this post

Feb 06, 2008

Can’t get riled over the Jetty

posted at 15:06 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

Note that this is only T.Whid’s opinion and M.River may, and probably, feels otherwise…

The NYT picks up on what the art blogs have been discussing over the last week or so: artists trying to stop oil drilling (or exploration) around the Spiral Jetty?

For whatever reason, I don’t really care. It was submerged for 3 decades because of poor planning (or ignorance) on Smithson’s part, there’s an argument whether he would want any preservation of the site and it is an earthwork after all. How ‘earthy’ can it be if it can’t stand a little oil drilling?

http://www.spiraljetty.org/

M. River adds - I’m fairly certain that Smithson knew what he was doing and was not ‘ignorant’ of entropy. Although, I’m not certain if T.Whid is being sarcastic in this post. “What good is a 20th century art icon if you can’t explore it for oil?” Yikes.

T.Whid responds - I didn’t mean to imply that he was ignorant of entropy, just that he may have been ignorant of the fact that the lake was low due to drought when the Jetty was built. Perhaps he wasn’t and part of the plan was that the Jetty would appear and disappear with the cycles of drought.

I’m not sure if I’m being sarcastic either. But I’m sure that I don’t really care about the Jetty drilling. permanent link to this post

Feb 05, 2008

M.River’s theme song

posted at 14:39 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid



Smells Like Teen Spirit - Ukulele Style

M.River adds - Just in case you have not seen my all-uke all-m.river noise band, here is LOCU - League Of Crappy Ukes. Enjoy. permanent link to this post

Feb 03, 2008

Obama FTW

posted at 16:29 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid/politics

obama.jpg

Note: I’m only speaking for myself here: T.Whid. This isn’t an official MTAA endorsement of a candidate. update - With M.River’s endorsement this is now the first ever official MTAA endorsement of a political candidate. We’re hoping that this brings Obama at least two votes.

+++

Not that anyone cares, but I’m voting Barack Obama this Tuesday.

I would vote for Kucinich or Edwards (even though they’ve dropped out of the race) if New York wasn’t Clinton country.

Sadly (or perhaps not), I’m being swayed more by emotional than intellectual reasons. Obama does inspire me. I think with him as President that perhaps the US can finally and completely leave our racial problems behind. Perhaps an Obama presidency would really create true equality and justice in the US. I know that that sounds all too optimistic, but he does give me hope — as cheesy as that might sound.

In addition, Clinton is just more corporate-rule-as-usual. And dynasties are as un-american as can be and we should resist them when we can. Other than that, their policies are very similar. Obama’s health insurance policy has issues, but I’m hoping that when he’s president pressure from the left will force him to make it better, i.e. closer to the Edwards plan.

M.River adds - For the first time, I have registered as a Democrat. The reason is to vote for Senator Obama. I have only one simple reason why. He did not support the war in Iraq and I hope that he will, as president, remove our military from this country. That’s it. It’s time to bring troops home.

Another update - Krugman on Obama’s health plan permanent link to this post

Feb 01, 2008

The MS/Yahoo! thing

posted at 21:57 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid/geek

Gruber of Daring Fireball talks about exactly what I was scratching my head about when I heard this news.

I was hoping that some Yahoo! OSS goodness might rub off on MS, but it just ain’t gonna happen. I use both OSS stuff (PHP, JS libraries etc) and MS stuff (ASP.net, Visual Studio, etc) in my day-to-day and they are just completely different beasts. To try to cram the two together in the MicroHoo deal would result in a thing that no one wants to see. MS will kill what it can’t ignore and treat the rest like red-headed stepchildren.

Update - Helen A.S. Popkin of MSNBC (as well as MTAA’s pop culture guru)on MS+YAHOO permanent link to this post

Jan 30, 2008

OH SHIT! art-world ‘Runway’

posted at 14:43 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

Sarah Jessica Parker’s Pretty Matches shingle is teaming with reality factory Magical Elves to create a “Project Runway”-type show for the art world.

Potential skein would pit a dozen aspiring artists against one another, following the group as they attempt to produce various kinds of artwork — from painting and photography to sculpting and industrial design. Pieces would be rated by a panel of judges, as well as by the contestants themselves.
Read all about it on Variety.

And this looks like the real deal (not some half-baked attempt on a network that no one gets) — it’s got real TeeeVeee execs behind it! It’s currently a notion that needs money to be worked into a concept and then later it may become an idea.

(Oops, didn’t mean to step on the Kriegspiel announcement — sorry.)

m.river adds - “art-world runway” Ick. This is the a black hole result of the strike.

t.whid adds
I actually like Project Runway LOL.

But, seriously, any artist that allows a bunch of teevee execs and producers to control how they appear in the media is taking a huge gamble. You would think that a contemporary artist would know better. On the other hand, it seems like the biggest dorks from these reality shows go on to infest our television sets for years to come — so what do I know? permanent link to this post

KRIEGSPIEL - Guy Debord’s 1978 “Game of War” Produced for computer by RSG

posted at 14:35 GMT by M.River in /news/mriver

KRIEGSPIEL screenshot

On February 08, from 7pm to 10 pm, OTO is pleased to present -

+ LAN party! +

KRIEGSPIEL
Guy Debord’s 1978 “Game of War”
Produced for computer by RSG


* bring your own laptop *

In 1978 the French Situationist Guy Debord designed and fabricated a board game called “The Game of War.” Thirty years later RSG is resurrecting this largely forgotten game, translating the game instructions from French to Java and releasing it as an online computer game. We explore the contradiction between Debord, a symbol of radical politics and art in 1960s France, and the Napoleonic war game he created. In Debord’s own words the game was the only thing in his entire body of work that had any value. Was it nostalgia, or a vision of things to come?

Founded in 2000, RSG is a collective of programmers and artists working on experimental software products. The Kriegspiel team consists of: Alexander R. Galloway, producer and programming; Carolyn Kane, research; Adam Parrish, programming; Daniel Perlin, sound; DJ /rupture and Matt Shadetek, music; and Mushon Zer-Aviv, design.

* bring your own laptop *

More info at OTO
permanent link to this post

Jan 28, 2008

Nature Version 2.0

posted at 22:46 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

nature2.0.jpg

Our good friends Cary Peppermint and Christine Nadir (aka EcoArtTech) have organized this exhibition and symposium at Colgate University. The exhibition features a great selection of new media artists.

Lots more info here.
Nature Version 2.0: Ecological Modernities and Digital Environmentalism
Jan. 21 - Feb. 16, 2008 @ Colgate University’s Clifford Gallery, Hamilton, New York.

http://www.ecoarttech.net/sustainablefutures

Featuring works by Natalie Jeremijenko, Brooke Singer, Joline Blais, Jane Marsching, Colin Ives, Alex Galloway, Amy Franceschini, Tom Sherman, Michael Alstad, Don Miller (aka no carrier), and Andrea Polli.

Curated by EcoArtTech (Cary Peppermint & Christine Nadir)

———————-
Nature Version 2.0 is a survey of artists who reinvent environmentalism for a digital age in a number of ways: by examining how digital technologies can make ecological problems more salient, by reusing and recycling obsolete technologies for new uses, and by exploring how digital spaces and the public domain may require environmental protection much like nature. Re-imagining the relationship between nature and technology, Nature Version 2.0 suggests an ethics of the network and an environmentalism of natural, built, and digital spaces.

This exhibition is in conjunction with Environmental Art and New Media Technologies: Imagining Sustainable Futures, a two-day symposium on interdisciplinary, digital, and networked art and research that draws upon environmental science, computer science, design, hacking, gameplay, engineering, and ecocriticism. Following the Nature Version 2.0 artists’ reception on February 8, keynote speaker Natalie Jeremijenko will launch the two-day Environmental Art and New Media Technologies symposium in Golden Auditorium, Little Hall, at 7pm. “90 Degrees South,” a multimedia performance by Andrea Polli will follow at 9pm in the Clifford Gallery. The symposium will resume in Golden Auditorium on February 9 for a day of talks and presentations by critics and exhibiting artists, 9am-5pm.

Hosted by Colgate University’s Clifford Art Gallery, the Department of Art and Art History, and the Environmental Studies Program, these events were made possible through funding provided by the Institute for the Creative and Performing Arts, the Film and Media Studies Program, the Environmental Studies Program, and the Center for Ethics and World Societies at Colgate University. All events are free and open to the public.


Lots more info here. permanent link to this post

Jan 27, 2008

Pile on Beecroft

posted at 14:53 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

Via Paddy

I’ve always detested Beecroft’s work. It’s pure vapidness masquerading as a critique of the same. And I hate it when one not-very-talented but high-profile artist does or makes stupid things thereby justifying all the morleys in the world (as the comments here exhibit).

beecroft.jpg

Of course she tries to kung-fu her racist, colonialist and narcissistic attitudes by admitting that she’s just a messed up white girl:
“I thought, what a freak I am,” Beecroft says softly, almost a whisper. “But it was really me.”

I’m not sure I’m buying this as a critique of the Madonnas and Jolies in the world. Is it any better that she seems to know she’s just as messed up, vapid and of dubious motivation as these high profile celebrities adopting African babies? permanent link to this post

Jan 26, 2008

USM

posted at 20:18 GMT by M.River in /news/mriver


USM from mriver on Vimeo.

MTAA’s very unscary 3 min movie of a Coney Island funhouse made in under 3 hours for a screening at EFA’s gallery in 2007 curated by Marina Zurkow. Play it loud, alone and in the dark. permanent link to this post

Jan 25, 2008

3 Hours Of My Adolescence Verbatim

posted at 21:43 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid




via here via boing boing permanent link to this post

Nauman FTW

posted at 15:07 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

Bruce Nauman representin’ USA at the 2009 Venice Biennale.

via NYT permanent link to this post

Jan 24, 2008

young laptop

posted at 12:52 GMT by M.River in /news/mriver


laptop from mriver on Vimeo.

Teaching net art skills to the next generation. permanent link to this post

Jan 23, 2008

Understanding art for geeks Flickr set

posted at 18:29 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

This is pretty dumb, but I’ll link to it anyway.
permanent link to this post

Bad sushi

posted at 03:18 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

Shit!
Recent laboratory tests found so much mercury in tuna sushi from 20 Manhattan stores and restaurants that at most of them, a regular diet of six pieces a week would exceed the levels considered acceptable by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Via NYT: permanent link to this post

Jan 22, 2008

EcoTechArt on BBtv

posted at 17:34 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid



Our friends Cary Peppermint and Christine Nadir’s video Wilderness Trouble is featured on Boing Boing tv today (permanent link to Boing Boing tv post). permanent link to this post

Art Wikimarathon

posted at 16:40 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

internet_0.img_assist_custom.jpg

The Art Wikimarathon sounds like a good idea:

There’s a lack of art/artist info on Wikipedia, and we’re often too busy to find the time to contribute. So, we’re setting aside one day where a crew of people collectively drop serious knowledge into wikipedia about art.

Not sure I’ll be able to make it, but if someone wants to beef up the MTAA entry perhaps we can wash your back too :-)

(Is quid pro quo against Wikipedia policies?) permanent link to this post

Big changes afoot in web dev

posted at 15:05 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid/geek

First, the IEBlog describes how they ‘broke the web’ when they released IE7, then go on to explain how they plan NOT to do that with IE8.

Crazily enough, Zeldman and the WASP seem to be on board with a blog post and 2 (count ‘em 2) articles on A List Apart (1, 2).

I haven’t read about the new ‘version targeting’ scheme yet, but Microsoft’s ‘web standards guru targeting’ scheme seems to have worked wonderfully. permanent link to this post

Jan 21, 2008

Destroy bigotry

posted at 15:01 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

mlk.jpg
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 2008 permanent link to this post

Jan 14, 2008

Rhizome commissions not just net art

posted at 22:24 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

Rhizome has opened up their commission cycle for 2009. They plan on funding 7 new art works with awards ranging from USD3K - 5K. Go to Rhizome’s site for the details.

The big news is that they’re not just funding net art anymore. They’ve expanded the scope to encompass all new media art. From the announcement email:
Rhizome has expanded our scope, formerly focused strictly on Internet-based art, to encompass the broad range of practices that fall under new media art. This includes projects that creatively engage new and networked technologies, as well as works that reflect on the impact of these tools and media in a variety of forms. With this expanded format, commissioned works can take the final form of online works, performance, video, installation or sound art. Projects can be made for the context of the gallery, the public, the web or networked devices.


My initial feeling about this is ambivalence.

On one hand, MTAA’s own work has been moving away from strictly Internet-based work for a few years now. Most of the early net artists (and a majority of the new ones) are using all sorts of digital media with the Internet/web as just one part of their practice. So it seems natural as the net moves from the shiny new thing to just another medium, and artists’ change with it, that Rhizome would also evolve.

On the other hand I liked how Rhizome was holding the torch for net art. Is this another nail in net art’s coffin? Is net art relevant or just a blip on the screen as more and more artists evolve to using digital tools and new media?

Guess that just leaves Turbulence permanent link to this post

Jan 13, 2008

Frank (Again) stills

posted at 01:48 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

This afternoon EST MTAA performed our web performance called “Frank (Again)” at the Panoplie web site (more info here).

The performance was simple. We asked the on-line audience at Panoplie to give us suggestions on drawing a picture of a snowman named Frank. (The name comes from our last snowman who was built from $100 worth of deli materials.) The entire performance lasted 20 minutes.

Thanks to Annie Abrahams for having us. Twas much fun.

Check out some stills from the video:
frank_again_still01.jpg
frank_again_still02.jpg
frank_again_still03.jpg
frank_again_still04.jpg
frank_again_still05.jpg
frank_again_still06.jpg
frank_again_still07.jpg
frank_again_still08.jpg permanent link to this post

Jan 12, 2008

Photos from last nights OTO with Elaine Tin Nyo

posted at 14:32 GMT by M.River in /news/mriver

Elaine Tin Nyo’s “I Want to Make Some Tamales”

more at Tintype and Flickr

Thanks to Elaine and all the tamale people. Good times.

Update - Tamaler Michele O’Donaghue has some photos at her I wanna make some Tamales …(hell yeah!)
Flickr set. Thanks Michele. permanent link to this post

Jan 08, 2008

Frank (Again) - a performance for Breaking Solitude

posted at 18:59 GMT by M.River in /news/mriver

frank

Frank(Again), a performance by MTAA (New York) in the frame of Breaking Solitude a project of panoplie.org and Annie Abrahams.

Saturday January 12 20h 8 PM GMT+1 (Paris local time), 2pm New York time at http://panoplie.emakimono.org/index.php/projets/voir/16

MTAA will draw, with input from the online audience, a larger than life snowman named Frank.

Only 30 places available. Please sign up before the perfromance at Panoplie.org permanent link to this post

Heroic citizen stands up for the constitution!

posted at 15:19 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

I finally had to refuse the subway search today.

It was very anti-climatic. I just said that I couldn’t allow a search of my bag without reason and the cop said, “OK, you can’t enter the subway.” Then I left. And walked a half-mile to the next station on the line and came to work.

What a waste of time. permanent link to this post

Jan 05, 2008

Elaine Tin Nyo’s “I Want to Make Some Tamales”

posted at 20:38 GMT by M.River in /news/mriver

Elaine Tin Nyo

On January 11, from 7pm to 10 pm, OTO is pleased to present “I Want to Make Some Tamales”, a cooking lesson by Elaine Tin Nyo

Hands-on cooking lesson 7-8:30
Open public feeding 8:30 until the tamales run out

Enrollment is limited for the cooking lesson. Please contact mriver@mteww.com to reserve your place (materials fee: $5).

Elaine Tin Nyo is a conceptual artist with a computer and kitchen in Harlem, New York and a locker in Chelsea filled with dance shoes.

Elaine’s works explore the structures of sensual experience and social interaction. Her primary subjects have been social structures such as dinners, classrooms and ballroom dance. Her photographs, recipes, videos, installations and performances have been presented by BlindSpot, Deitch Projects, Thread Waxing Space, The New Museum, Creative Time, Bronx Museum, Fargfabriken, Neueberger Museum, Leslie Tonkonow Projects, Chez Bushwick, and French Culinary Institute.

Upcoming shows at Over The Opening
February 08 - RSG
permanent link to this post

Jan 01, 2008

Happy New Year 2008

posted at 17:46 GMT by T.Whid in /news/twhid

happy_new_year.jpg
(Image courtesy of Trevor; used because it’s currently the #1 hit on Google’s image search and I always like to let Google make my decisions for me.) permanent link to this post

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