Tomazs Sikorski Lecture

I loved Sikorski's lecture on what he calls "engaged art." He was a good speaker and I could tell that he loved what he does. Here are the notes that I took on his presentation:


- Ran most progressive art gallery in Warsaw in the early 80s.
- Art theories and critics in Europe recognize a certain type of art in which an artist does not want to execute an idea relating to aesthetics only.
o Political, social, psychological.
- All engaged art.
- There are politically engaged artists when there is a need to change something in politics and the status quo.
- Anywhere and every time art is available for the creation and improvement of social life.
- Psychological the most difficult to understand.
o Art that you can be close to, physically and mentally.
- In Europe, artists get more engaged in surroundings than in America.
- Yalta Conf. – Europe divided into two parts (one ruled by USSR).
- Long oppression in Poland by USSR.
- Engaged Art:
o Can modify status quo.
o Visible and invisible effects.
o Cognitive reactions.
o Forces the human mind to develop and open up.
- Art that believes it can change things, can have effects that are social and cultural, the way we see and think (cognition).
o Take years to form.
- Experiencing certain art works can refresh your mind; ask yourself basic questions.
o Rebuild opinions and feelings.
- Enlightenment – suddenly you grasp everything and it is clear and obvious.
o Highest value of art possible that opens up your mind.
- Intellect is not everything; is just a small part of the human mind.
- Polish graffiti during Nazi occupation in the 40s and Soviet occupation in the 80s.
o Would be shot right then and there rather than be put in jail.
- 1978 – KwiKulik, Monument Without Passports (performance)
o Feet plastered to floor.
- 1981 – Bonfire of Freedom (performance).
- 1981 – Europe, Art, and Fear (performance).
o TS drew Europe in chalk, colored in Poland, laid down with a trash brash hanging above dripping water and washing away the chalk.
- 1984 – Brooklyn Projection by Krzsztof Wodiczko (Memorial Arch).
- Social Engagement:
- 1981 – Stupid Woman by Ewa Partum (performance).
- 1988-1989 – Homeless’ Vehicle by KW (industrial design?).
o Looked different outside than in a museum (indoors).
- 1993 – Picture for the Homeless by TS (used paintings to build tents).
o Artwork can serve as something more than just images.
- Chinese artist Wei-Wei arrested for protesting, making art.
- 1996 – Olympia by Katarzyna Korzyra (photograph).
o Refers to Monet’s painting from 1864.
• Ideal image of the woman.
- 1996 – Lego Concentration Camp by Zbigniew Libera.
o How we treat boys and girl to make them men and women.
• Break down the common way of bringing up children.
- 1998 – Eye for the Eye by Artur Zmijewski (film).
o Films situations not seen everyday; very personalized.
- 2003 – Positive by ZL (photograph comparing modern people huddled together to concentration camp prisoners huddled together).
o Attempt to reverse atmosphere of history.
• People are happy in the modern day photograph unlike the misery the prisoners experienced.
- Psychological engagement:
- 2011 – Yes No by TS (painting).
o There is no absolute truth; every truth is a creation.
• There is no abstract, living truth.
- Art is a reaction from your body.
- Art is subjective; it all makes sense some how but it depends on who is looking at it.

What is Good Design?

Efficiency, respect, beauty:
Look at St. Petersburg Clearwater identity design by Michael Bierut and Joe Marianek of Pentagram.

Creepy Technology!

The Japanese are known for their innovative technologies. From the flat panel television to digital cameras, Japan provides top-of-the-line technology products. Robots have become popular lately, but not the kinds you would expect. No metal skin and no squeaky sounds when moving. These new robots might as well be called humans. They have very similar characteristics to us, it's scary. Check out the photograph of the Japanese female robot in the slideshow above!

iPad2!

Finally! The much anticipated announcement of the iPad 2 has arrived! What really stood out about the event, besides the actual device of course, was Apple's various speakers regarding the iPad as "post-PC" and "a revolutionary product." It sounds cheesy, but they are so right. The iPad is now being provided to students across the nation, doctors working in hospitals, and autistic children to improve their communication skills. The event really touched upon all of the great things the iPad has brought to people. I am sure that the iPad 2 will further all of those aspects and eventually help the entire world.

Guest Speaker: Lorena Duran

I really enjoyed Lorena Duran's lecture today about her life so far as a designer. I thought she presented herself very nicely and everything she said was fascinating. I loved all of the design work she showed and the advice she gave was invaluable. Here is the list of notes I took throughout the presentation:

- Designer = wide-range of things to do.
- Advise on products related to design.
- Communicating to people visually is one of the fastest ways to get a point across.
- Has worked on identity programs, branded environments, brand development, exhibition design, naming, architecture, experimental interactivity.
- Works for Christie's Global Markets (art auction house).
- Need a creative brief in order to follow through with a project.
- Her role is to write the brief.
- Working all over the world you encounter different rules/limitations (ex: Hong Kong specifies where certain things go based on Feng Shui).
- Must be able to place the same exhibition in different sites.
- A logo translates what the product/service is about.
- The brand is not the logo!
- Deals with lawyers, marketing directors everyday.
- Uses a max of 3 typefaces.
- Form and content = 50-50
- Worked on AIGA 365 Competition (exhibition designer).
- Looked at etymology of the word "competition" and found a totally different meaning the real word.
- Influenced design work.
- Must have basic knowledge about exhibition design materials.
- Partner with other companies (ex: engineers).
- Consider flow in exhibition design.
- Ex: curves to embrace welcoming, no 90 degree angles.
- Think about dominant, sub-dominant, and complimentary forces when designing.
- Combine experience and emotion.
- Good open source communication as an undergrad now.
- Look for design interests.
- Have no fear.
- People are much more willing to teach.
- Be daring.
- Things take time.
- Have a lot of passion.
- Be humble.
- No ego, no attitude.

Supporting the Enemy

Rahul Sood, a high-ranking employee at Microsoft, recently stated in an interview that "every executive in the PC industry should use an Apple notebook." This is really great news because someone on the opposing team is actually rooting for a product that does its job very well. I've had my fair share of problems with a PC and finally made the switch to a Macbook Pro. It was the greatest decision of my life. Technology evolves, just like people. If you don't have the right traits then you won't survive. Apple is the epitome of the perfect "species" that everyone wants to copy. Someone once told me that to make it big in the technology world, you need to be a trend-setter, not a trend-follower. In other words, you need to be like Apple, not Microsoft/Motorola/Driod (Google)/etc.

Xbox Kinect: You Are the Controller

Since the Nintendo Wii came out in 2006, video game companies have been striving to create the next best motion-sensor game controller. Playstation made some headlines with the Move, but it was Microsoft's Xbox that really stole the show. The Kinect requires no handheld devices; only a thin rectangular box that sits above your television. But how does it work without any handheld controller? That's the best part: you are the controller. When you jump, your character on-screen jumps. When you move to the left, your character on-screen moves to the left. It's pretty accurate too. Just another example of the fading line between the physical and virtual worlds...