MoMA 1st Floor

From an early age I was drawn to photography as a medium that could document reality as I knew it, and later as I created it (with a twist of fantasy). The idea of creating something tangible from the inner depths of my mind was exhilarating in that I could have an impact on the physical world with this new image, living in the collective consciousness that could then be considered a part of history. But what if these creative pieces were never fully made tangible? What if the world we encountered went beyond what we could touch, but lived simultaneously in the space we inhabited?

AR, or augmented reality lives in real time but engages both real and virtual elements by enhancing one’s current perception of reality through computer-generated imagery with live-video streaming. Take for example, the recent invasion of the MoMA in NYC. On Oct 9th an AR show launched (without their prior knowledge) as part of a virtual exhibition that changed the way people engaged with the space and art. Read more about it here: www.layer.com

Having recently gone and checked it out for myself, I can now say that I view space and the objects that inhabit it differently. With AR becoming more widely used, there are more ways in which to express the inner world than ever thought before, challenging me to hone my concepts and the way they are perceived. This leads me to wonder whether making my work in a purely digital space would make it as tangible as before, and what value it would have if it lived in such a space? Is this the next technological advance, as photography once was over painting? If so, time will only tell as to who the true masters truly are.

I was recently doing some research at a gallery I so adore, and saw a recent post on one of their artists. I was immediately enthralled with the work done by Rafael Lozano-Hemmer entitled “Solar Equation” (2010), commissioned by the Light in Winter Festival in Melbourne. His simulation of the Sun (100 million times smaller than the real life) is done with use of  a custom made balloon on which solar animation (generated by mathematical equations that simulate sunspots, flares, etc) are projected. Check it out for yourself at: http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=597335153430 or click on the pict. It’s a fantastic incorporation of motion imagery, sculpture, technology and the viewer!

"Solar Equation" 2010 by Rafael Lozano-Hemmer

"Workers Leaving The Lumiére Factory"

With the recent cross over of photographers doing full motion projects, one cannot help but pay hommage to the early pioneers. With the invention of the cinematograph in the 1890’s came motion films, and in 1895 the first ever full motion picture “Workers Leaving the Lumiére Factory” by Louis Lumiére. With this as inspiration came many more across the world who would share their vision and document their world for others to share. Let us never forget those who forged ahead and by our current and future projects pay our respects.

British Film "Living Wigan" (1902)

"Barcelona 1908"

In this first time event, YouTube and the Guggenheim join in the search for creative video for their first ever biennial. Check it out and get those submissions out!

The search for something original.