Kinetic Typography

So, my class has been exploring Kinetic Typography and we will be making a 30 second animation. I'm so excited!

While exploring I found some really amazing stuff and I thought I should share it with you.

This video is so simple, but it's simplicity is beautiful. The thought process is presented extremely well and I really enjoyed it.

This Video is super cool! I especially liked the tumbling letter and the "splinter in your mind".

Pixel Avatar

Pixel Avatar assignment on Photoshop, my first assignment for tech class! I learned a lot about the pencil tool and anti-aliasing.

4 Easy steps to convert you Ipod to a Flash Drive

Have you ever wondered what to do with your old iPod ?

I just discovered a cool new trick, by which an iPod can be transformed into a storage device !!!

Step 1: start by connecting your iPod to your computer, then open your iPod in iTunes.

Step 2: click on the iPod icon in the Source pane on the left side, then click on the summary tab.

Step 3: Under Options select "Enable disk use" this will allow you to use your iPod as a hard drive.

Step 4: The iPod disk icon will appear on your desktop and in the Finder window, or in My Computer in Windows. Click the icon and drag files into the iPod's window to copy them ( as if you are using a normal flash drive).

It worked for me, good luck with yours !

Check out apple support for more information.

Ken Gangbar

Hi, I'm going to be posting weekly blog posts for my tech class and to start off I want to share a personal favourite, artist and the inspiration for my porcelain installation. Ken Gangbar, is an artist who's work was introduced to me by my teacher, Thanks Miss! He has totally wowed me and I would love to share a little about him...

Ken is an artist who creates ceramic sculptures. Ken doesn't really use a specific method to create his sculptures and installations. His work is based on exploring new ideas and experimentation. His work is phenomenal, it gives a very exhilarating, but calm and content feeling. Ken uses a variety of organic shapes and different materials to create his work. Ken has shown versatility in a variety of ways: he has worked with materials like; porcelain, glass, metal, and wood and he has worked for clients such as: Rockwell Group, NY, Starwood Hotels, and Chapman Design Group, Toronto. He also has a studio in Toronto; KEN GANGBAR STUDIO INC. 50 CARROLL ST #101 TORONTO ON M4M 3G3 PH. 416-532-4284 Take a look around his site, who knows you may also become inspired.

I was introduced to Ken's work last semester, I knew nothing about him or his work but I saw a few pictures of pieces by him. I was inspired by his style and his work, After seeing his work, I became excited to make my porcelain installation.

I recently have had a chat with him through e-mail and I was afraid at first, but he's very friendly, down to earth and easy to talk to. I asked him a few questions;

What is the inspiration for your work ?

Nature, natural forces

What did you want to do as a child ?

archiologist

What is your background in the arts ?

in the blood, Sheridan college

What did you study before your present career ?

native studies, comparative development studies

Have you worked in any other careers/industries before thins one ?

With young offenders in a wilderness program, personal attendant care work, sales

What is your biggest accomplishment ?

sometimes just getting through a day! 2008

What is your favourite piece of art either that you created of someone else ?

no favorites

What advise would you give to young people who are aspiring artist ?

invite a mentor into your life, build relationships, become part of a creative group, peers are very important,

What’s your favourite food ?

Had sushi tonight. Many favorites

Ken's work is spontaneous, which is cool. The installations and sculptures he makes can be appreciated by people of all walks of life and I truly admire that. His work is very unique, satisfying to look at and I think it's amazing that despite being very calm and peaceful it has bold, striking, eye-catching quality to it.

Work Cited

kengangbar.com. 2/18/10. www.kengangbar.com.

El Anatsui

Hey guys, I want to introduce to you a very talented artist. His name is El Anatsui he is from Anyako, Ghana. His work is simply spectacular. His work has been exhibited in many worthy galleries across the world; Brazil, Japan, Germany, England, South Africa, the United States and many more. I just discovered who he is, and I'm sure there are some people out there who don’t know who he is.

So this is El Anatsui a contemporary artist. Although he has worked with a variety of mixed media for example; wood, clay, ceramic, he is well known for his cloth series. In recent years his cloth tapestries made from thousands of aluminum liquor bottle caps have become celebrated worldwide. In Nigeria the local distilleries recycle each other's bottles, the screw caps associated with each brand are discarded in the process. Anatsui collects them and other metals and materials to create his cloths. Through a time consuming process he transforms the different materials by sewing them together with copper wire into a cloth installation. He believes that metals have been stereotyped as a very stiff and rigid medium that is difficult to work with. His goal is to produce art and show the world; that metals can be soft, flexible and easy to stack, hang or pile.

Art grows out of each particular situation, and I believe that artists are better off working with whatever their environment throws up. - El Anatsui, 2003

This is just one example of his breathtaking work, titled 'Duvor (communal cloth)'. Made of of Aluminum and copper wire in 2007, it's dimensions are are Height: 400cm Width: 500cm.

In his career, Anatsui has explored the significance of the materials that surround us in daily life. Liquor bottle cap could be used as a symbol, not only for their shiny appearance, but also to remind us of the history of liquor. Europeans had once exchanged liquor as a product in exchange for slaves along the West African coast.
I have talked a lot about Anatsui's work with his cloth installations. I would like to show you a piece done by him that is 3-dimensional. Entitled Coal Pot this sculpture consists of a 15-foot iron cauldron filled with large pieces of Kentucky coal. The coal will, disintegrate over several years. As in many of his sculptures, the theme of transience is demonstrated by the choice of natural, decomposing materials. In Ghana, coal plays an essential part in the everyday culture: as a source of heat for cooking and a valuable natural resource. Coal Pot, connects African culture with the economy of Kentucky, where coal is also an important resource. This artwork was Anatsui’s way of bringing the two cultures together.

So now that you know a little about him I have some exciting news!
He will be working with the Royal Ontario Museum on a project about walls and barriers. Selected schools will also participate in this event. My school(Lakeshore Collegiate)will be taking part and I’m very excited! Personally his work boggles my mind it is just amazing. I think it is wonderful that he uses the materials in his surrounding and transforms them into masterpieces! I'm so awed by the amount of detail shown in his work. It's also very interesting to learn the history behind his pieces. The true beauty of his work is how he alters these hard, rough materials into flowing soft pieces. If there is something to learn from him it is patience. Last but not least I have to tell u that I am very touched and inspired by the fact that he uses his culture and roots as inspiration for his art and I think it's so cool how he puts a new twist on traditional African art.

Fresh Start !!!

Hey guys,

It's me and I have some exciting news !!! It is time for a fresh start!

I'm starting year 2 CyberArts and I'm very excited !!! I'm looking forward to posting; new concepts and ideas along with art work. I hope that by posting the new and interesting things I learn, others will also become inspired.