electric canvas final pieces

I don't really know how to present these pieces as they are meant to be organized in a certain way with an animation playing above. I'll try and figure out a way to make a GIF or something that is close to the actual presentation (as i set it up for my final crit in class). Anyway, for now just imagine these go from left to right in a line and that you are in a state of hypnosis. Should be close enough.

All are near 19x25, but the middle one is larger than the others by several inches on each side.

cell study 1

the other half of the cell study assignment

cell study 1

cell study 2

from electric canvas (finished version of painting I posted earlier)

cells/nodes/users in network build up the individual user to (false) heroic status based on availability of resources/people far beyond his physical abilities.

BAD PHOTO UGH

Cell Study 2. Acrylic on Canvas, 26" x 31"???. 2011.

more webcam

i'm probably the worst blogger. this will be my second post in a row with a webcam picture of some unfinished paintings. this is pretty relevant since it will be my final project when finished!

a segment from my project proposal to give you an idea of what it's about:

Second life and other virtual worlds allow the user to enter an alternate, untrue reality which draws users in by the worship of its very falsehood. The distance from physical truth and body allows activities which would normally be mundane to transform into extraordinary out of body experiences in the eyes of the user. The body is in a state of rest/suspension while the mind engages in an escapist virtual experience similar to a religious vision or dissociative hallucination. The triangle symbolizes the elevation of this virtual world to a god-like status, dependent on its ability to separate the user from the physical world. The paintings will show the changes in perception of self and reality when one enters a virtual world in relation to the attraction of the digital nonreal.

sooo unfinished

this gif will be projected above the paintings

Late night

I've got three new paintings to post but haven't had the time/light to photograph them. Instead, please enjoy this poor quality webcam photo of two paintings in progress for this week. They're related, I swear.

Second Life

This week we made a series of paintings based on media images pertaining to the topic of our choice. I focused on Second Life, which is technically a game but really more of a virtual world. From what I've learned, users treat it like a real environment: forming relationships, making money, travelling, playing games, and (in seedier regions) even having sexual relations. They present an alternate identity to the SL world, perhaps one they feel is more attractive or possibly more accurate than their physical reality. Does the physical world become a mere chore, compared to the freedom and fascination of a virtual life?

Erasure 1

Virtual Shrine

Placeholder User

Digitally Inspired Paintings

Three paintings inspired/based on the digital collages I made previously. Some bad photo quality since I couldn't get good lighting.

Fragment 11. Acrylic on Canvas, 18x24. 2011.

Cat Mess. Acrylic on Canvas 18x24. 2011.

Sucker. Acrylic on Canvas, 19x25. 2011.

Electric Canvas Nonsense

Three of five photoshop collages made overnight for our first assignment in Electric Canvas (my wintersession painting studio).