Project 4- Google Sketch Up

Since I spent so much time spinning my wheels on the technical aspects of the last three projects, I thought I would do a bit more research on this one. Here is a list of helpful links for using Google SketchUp.

Official SketchUp Blog
10 Tips to Get You Started
SketchUp User's Guide
SketchUp Wiki
SketchUp Help Group

Good luck everyone!

Animation video revisited

There was some speculation on how this video was actually created so here is the how it was done video... 6000+ post-its!!!

My favorite museums

Being from New York, all of my favorite museums are located there. I know there are wonderful museums in D.C. and Baltimore but I just don't have the time enjoy them as much as I would like. When I lived in NY, I used to go to the museums every week. Here are a few of my favorites.

The Noguchi Museum is dedicated to the life and work of the artist, Isamu Noguchi. They have a diverse collection of his works in stone, metal, clay, wood, designs for public works and light sculptures. The museum is housed in industrial buildings that surround a peaceful and beautiful sculpture garden. It is truly an escape from the city outside it.

Near the Noguchi Museum you will find the Socrates Sculpture Park. This is a great place to see large-scale artwork in a unique environment along the river in Long Island City.

The Cloisters is one of my favorites! It is located all the way uptown in Fort Tyron Park overlooking the Hudson River. The Cloisters is actually part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and is dedicated to the art and architecture of Medieval Europe. The building incorporates elements from 5 French cloisters which surround beautiful gardens using authentic medieval designs and plants. The collection of tapestries and stained glass are absolutely beautiful. You feel like you have been transported back in time without ever leaving the city.

Lastly, you can't go to New York without visiting The Guggenheim Museum and The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Stop-Motion Animation video

A friend of mine came across this video and I think it is fantastic. Thought I would share it with the class.

Project 3

Here is the link to my video for project 3. As with the first 2 projects, I spent a lot time researching and struggling with the technical side of a program I knew nothing about. I tried to keep the subject matter to something I experience daily with 2 boys at home. Not sure video is my thing but here it is....


Project 3: Sibling Rivalry

Good bye Michael Jackson....

I can't say that I was particularly a fan of Michael Jackson but his music provided the backdrop for many wonderful childhood memories. Yes, I grew up during the the "King of Pop's" reign. I remember the very first moment when MTV came on the air and the first video they played (The Buggles,Video Killed the Radio Star) During those early years, Michael was a huge presence on MTV. I will never forget getting together with all of my friends to view the premiere of the "Thriller" video. Even if you didn't "love" Michael you couldn't help but be amazed and excited by something so new, different and creative.

In the spirit of our current class assignment, I can't help but think about how powerful those background noises (and music) are in our lives and particularly in our memories. We all know how quickly a sound or song can bring us back to another time in our lives. Michael, Farrah and Ed all have the ability to do that for me. "Pretty Young Thing", "Beat It", "Billie Jean", "Thriller", "Charlies Angels" episodes on the tv, and "Heeeeeres Johnny..." are all quietly set behind so many scenes of my childhood and teenage years. Although they are not the focus of any particular memory they have the power to immediately bring back the rest of the sounds, smells and feelings of so many great moments! Something to consider as we work on our video projects.

So here's to Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson, each who have helped to set the tone of an era in American Pop Culture.

This one will always be a classic.....

THRILLER video

Rest in peace.......

Bathroom as art?

Matt Nolen is another artist who has had a tremendous influence on me. He was actually one of my professors at NYU during my undergraduate studies and went on to become a great friend.

Check out his website: Matt Nolen

A few years back he was commissioned as one of a few select artists to design one of a kind, unique bathrooms for the Kohler Arts Center in the Mid West.

Check out the clip aired on Extreme Bathrooms: