Tag Archives: DTC101

Walter Benjamin

Posted on January 29, 2013 by | Comments Off on Walter Benjamin

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@Quy_Luu

I found this image on Google map; it is a view from South Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas, Nevada. In “The World Of Art”, Walter said “This image makes it easy to comprehend the social bases of the con- temporary decay of the aura. It rests on two circumstances, both of which are related to the increasing significance of the masses in contemporary life” (III); as you can see in this image, the boulevard divided the view into two different parts. The left view has tower and theater with crowded group of people, it seems like pretty busy downtown. In contrast, the right view makes you feel very peaceful and relaxing because of the small lake with water fountain.

“The concept of aura which was proposed above with reference to historical objects may usefully be illustrated with reference to the aura of natural ones. We define the aura of the latter as the unique phenomenon of a distance, however close it may be.” (III); with this image, every single element combine to make a beautiful view. Additionally, they help people determine and illustrate about human life; they are always various aspects that suppose to make your life more colorful. When you look at the peaceful small lake with few people on the sidewalk in your right and the buildings with busy atmosphere in your left, you can feel two side of the image are neutral. Plus, the two lines of the tree make you feel fresh, energetic and eager. This place supposes to entertain people and everybody go to Las Vegas with only one reason, enjoying their life.

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Wakanui Beach

Posted on January 29, 2013 by | Comments Off on Wakanui Beach

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Unlike other posts, it seems as if everyone had what they were looking for when playing on Google maps. This picture was definitely hard to find. The picture you see above is at Wakanui (waah-kah-new-ee) Beach, in the island of New Zealand. I spent about the whole night searching for whether I should use a beach picture, a waterfall image, or one of those sunset on the horizon. The reason why I chose this picture is because not everyone uses the random spots all over the world. You can be at any place, and at that given moment, realize that you’re standing in a spot to remember, and that spot will always be remembered. Now, Wakanui Beach is not some famous beach or anything. I chose this particular place to acknowledge something that Walter Benjamin had mentioned in, “The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction.” On page 4, he mentions that any photograph is “the unique phenomenon of a distance, however close it may be.” The horizon looks as if it was only right there besides the cliff, that’s the power of the 9-eyed camera. We are under the impression that once we look towards one way, we can’t turn back for the next view. Wrong. According to Walter Benjamin, “Even the most perfect reproduction of a work of art is lacking in one element: its presence in time and space, its unique existence at the place where it happens to be,” (3). It’s not just the way we look at the image, it’s the originality that comes out of it.

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The Wailing Wall

Posted on January 29, 2013 by | Comments Off on The Wailing Wall

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@JaredAbrahamWSU

This is a picture of the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem.This Wall is believed to have been constructed around twenty BC and has been a place that people from all over the world come to pray. Although this wall has been around for over two thousand years, it still continues to be a popular place of worship and tourism. Even though many things have taken place since the wall was first constructed, war, famine, etc. . . this has always been a place that the Israeli people can pray and reflect. It is amazing that as technology and culture continue to grow and are always morphing into something different, there are still some places that can be a window back in time.

In Walter Benjamin’s article “The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction” he talks about the fact that the technology is stopping us from experiencing these moments in time. (3) It is this statement that I want to focus on. Benjamin says that  “even the most perfect reproduction of a work of art is lacking in one element: its presence in time and space.” (3) While this can be true, how can you say that this photo of the Wailing Wall, which has been around for a long time, is lacking time and space? Can we say that something is lacking in time and space, if it is timeless and has never changed? Even though there can be a disconnect between someone and a photo of the Ayers Rock in Australia. I don’t see how a photo of something that has been going on for thousands of years can be lacking in time or space.

 

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Google Earth and Benjamin

Posted on January 29, 2013 by | Comments Off on Google Earth and Benjamin

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@RachaelS_dtc

Before  mechanical reproduction, such as photography, a historical object would have reverence because of its worth and uniqueness. Now, we have advanced technology that allows us to reproduce historical objects. In Walter Benjamin’s article, “The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction,” he says that the aura of art is being destroyed through reproduction. The image above, from Google Earth, shows the street in front of Buckingham Palace in the United Kingdom. Since this picture is a reproduction, Benjamin would say that it lacks one element: “its presence in time and space” (3). Having a unique existence would give this picture authenticity and history. Of course this image has neither of these because it is a replica of the actual object: Buckingham Palace. The aura of Buckingham Palace, or the reverence toward it, decays in this photo because it is not the actual object. Instead, the aura created is fake, or kitsch. Aura decays when the object is reproduced such as through a photo. Benjamin says this is true because “reproduction as offered by picture magazines and newsreels differs from the image seen by the unarmed eye” (4). Benjamin also says that the uniqueness of art is its aura. So, as an object is reproduced, it is no longer unique and the aura decays. Many pictures of Buckingham Palace can be recreated through mechanical reproduction, including the image above. Every photo created is a form of mechanical reproduction and is not authentic. Benjamin explains this with the example of photographic negatives, saying “to ask for the ‘authentic’ print makes no sense” (5). With mechanical reproduction, authenticity and the aura in art deteriorates.

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The Relationship between Human, Computer and Technology.

Posted on January 22, 2013 by | Comments Off on The Relationship between Human, Computer and Technology.

@Quy_Luu

The relationship between human and computer has been long time ago and it just keeps growing up as the human’s world is developing. According to Vannevar Bush, technology is always new and very powerful (Vannevar 46); that’s why people have to rely on technology to the approach modern efficient world. With the current computer’s system, its functions are very complicated with significant noticeable features. However, the current computer system is not more than the information technology as the first product came into the world. In 1945, Vannevar Bush created the very first piece of technology; it’s called the Memex. “ A Memex is a device in which an individual stores all his books, records and communications, and which is mechanized so that it may be consulted with exceeding speed and flexibility” (Vannevar 53). There are four main components that operated the Memex system; they were microfilms with drawers, the screens, the keyboard and the stylus. Firstly, microfilms were used to record documents, communications and images; additionally, drawers were the storage for the microfilms as the library of microfilms were accessed through these drawers. Secondly, the screens displayed the projected items, the codes, the trails and allowed the direct entry of notes. Thirdly, the keyboard was used to enter codes, project the heads of trails and to duplicate established trails. Finally, the stylus was used for adding notes to project items (Vannevar 53).  Nowadays, there are so many computers’ systems and devices are created base on the Memex’s system of Vannevar Bush; plus, it increased the technological human demands to higher levels.

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The Matrix: Relationship between humans and computers

Posted on January 22, 2013 by | Comments Off on The Matrix: Relationship between humans and computers

@RachaelS_dtc

The image from The Matrix and the “Dream Scene” shows the connection between humans and technology, especially computers. Computers use a binary code to organize functions and communicate. In the examples from The Matrix, communication from computers is no longer in binary code, but letters are also used. This form of programming, called hypertext, is not sequential but creates more simplicity for the user and the hyperworld (Literary Machines). Simplicity is important ever since computers became personal devices because everyone is not a professional programmer. Todays computers are similar to Vannevar Bush’s idea of the memex. The memex is “a device which an individual stores his books, records, and communication, and which is mechanized so that it may be consulted with exceeding speed and flexibility” (“As We May Think”). Computers are devices that have become personalized and allow the user to give and receive information. Humans have come to rely on computers for information, but computers still receive information from humans. This idea is also revealed through The Matrix because humans and computers are still dependent on each other. Computers were made to improve our lives but there is still a lot to learn about them. As humans learn more about computers and improve technologies, computers become a device that can be used by everyone. The relationship between humans and computers have become very important because of the availability and improved simplicity in programming. The Matrix is a possibility in the future as programming becomes more simple for users because it shows the bond between humans and computers.

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Blog Prompt 2- Information and Computers-Star Preston

Posted on January 21, 2013 by | Comments Off on Blog Prompt 2- Information and Computers-Star Preston

@starlingpreston

Theodor Nelson expresses this idea of a new accessibility and excitement of expression through multiple mediums (3). People will be able to have access to ideas through not only videos, but through digital photos, texts, web videos, etc. Not only, will people be able to have access to this information, but they will also be able to be “active producers,” (DTC Lecture 01.17.13).  The Matrix has both a video and image that recreates the raining code. It’s the same representation of the code expressed in two different ways; that have two very different effects. Personally the video creates a choppy feeling, where as the image seems for like a “raining code.” The creators of The Matrix, used computers to create information in two different accessible ways, which is what Nelson stressed in Literary Machines.

Furthermore, in “As We May Think,” Vannevar Bush saw multiple possibilities in the advancement of technology for the benefit of humanity. The Memex was an idea that allowed the user to project ideas that could be linked with previous ones drawn up on a neo-desk top computer (54). The memex allowed the user to build a trail of ideas and links that another person could ultimately follow or add to. (53).  So really we have this web of information created by humans, but accessed through computers. Not only could a person view this trail, but they could also add to it, tying different aspects and cultures to information. The image from the Matrix appears to be three humans in this digital or computerized world. The image visually represents the link between humanity and computers that Vannevar and Nelson express. That humans express their ideas and thought through multiple outlets with the help of computers. These thoughts can be built upon and linked by others and expressed in even more ways (as is seen in Vannevar’s influence of other thinkers).

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New Media Objects: Pandora Internet Radio – Star Preston

Posted on January 13, 2013 by | Comments Off on New Media Objects: Pandora Internet Radio – Star Preston

@starlingpreston

I curiously find myself using a new media object everyday, the Internet radio, Pandora. According to the presentation (slides 5 and 6) new media is digital, which means that it is produced with the help of computers. First off, Pandora is accessible through personal computers, smart phones, and other technological devices such as Ereaders. Seeing that Pandora is localized through the Internet and computers, it must have numerical representation; a binary code (Manovich 25). The second principle that is typical of new media objects is modularity, where one can link websites on others in order to endorse their site. (Manovich 30). Pandora has a side bar on the right hand side where companies can link their products and ads. The third characteristic that is typical for Pandora and new media is automation (Manovich 33). According to Manovich this is when processes are set automatically. On Pandora, once a station is set up, similar genres of music are played until the operator stops the music with the stop button. Pandora also automatically plays commercials every three to five songs, much to the users irritation. The fourth characteristic that Manovich states that is common in new media is variability, infinite possibilities and suggestions given by the new media. (37). Pandora offers music selections based the users taste and preferences. Unless the user gives the song a thumb down, Pandora will continue to offer different suggestions. The last characteristic is transcoding, the way new media is associated with cultural categories and new media stereotypes (45). A user on Pandora can search through many different music categories ranging from Disney music to David Bowie. It offers different varieties of music, offering new varieties of music to different people. It’s a way of digitalizing music; no longer must one wait for their favorite song.

One aspect I did not realize that was part of Pandora was the option to buy music. This shows how everyday life is becoming more lackadaisical. One no longer has to venture out to buy a CD; they can just download after purchasing it.

Completely customized and generated by the computer, Pandora is truly “digital”.

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