October Plans

Production book stuff

1. PRODUCTION OUTLINE

A.) The installations will be based in sound and video, utilizing constructed/found objects in conjunction

B.) The intended audience is the general public who attend galley shows

C.) The thesis body plans to explore the relationship that the media has in how we digest conflict. Through repurposing of media sources and strategies of comparison and reevaluation, the viewer will be able to liberate the images given to them by the news sources and create stimulation thought and conversation surrounding them.

D.) The themes explored will be: Mass media saturation, the idea of War as myth, Political elitism, political voice, experience of conflict

E.) My relationship to subject and theme is one of direct experience. I am reacting to these issues and making art.

F.) War, democracy, myth, 9/11, sensationalism are also major subject in the work.

G.) Using current media sources, the installations comment on the nature of how information is transmitted and the news media affects it. The digital nature of the conflicts we enter comment on how we deal with them and their lasting effects

H.) I plan to show and discuss pieces in the department before the final show of all of the work

I.) My approach is one of layering and comparison. Although I present my ideas in a way of which my opinion is there, it does not overtake the audience, and will allow for open though

J.) No collaborations yet. Possible help from others with installation

K.) Various electrical components, speakers, computers, found media footage, final cut pro, soundtrack pro, headphones,

2. FIELD NOTES, OBSERVATIONS, AND RESEARCH

A.) Richard Mosse, Alfredo Jaar, Janet Cardiff have inspired the ideas behind the thesis.

B.) Some of the theories and subjects that inform the work are post-colonialism, media critique in the form of Noam Chomsky, and some of the post-modern philosophy of Slavjo Zizek

C.) I have been watching multiple news sources, as well as taking in films, movies, and television sources to see how some subjects within the work are treated in the world.

D.) The most problematic aspect of producing my thesis will be to keep true to the concept and not get caught up on small aspects.

E.) The biggest support for my production of the thesis is the sincerity of my feelings towards the subject.

F.) Most of my research has been in the way of literature. I have read Slavjo Zizek, Edward Siad, Chris Hedges, Evan Wright, and Lance Bellet. I have also watched the documentaries Armadillo, Wall, and The Oath. So far from interviews, I have discussed the subjects with friends who are Veterans and others who I have met with knowledge of the conflicts.

G.) Possible subjects and imagery include: Digital War, Digital Camouflage, images of the political process, and images of home front reaction to the conflicts

H.) I plan on creating preliminary compositions to screen with the department and other artists along with the same for videos. Drawings and explanations of the installation topics will also be utilized.

4. RESEARCH OUTLINE

A.) Books:

Orientalism by Edward Said

The Edward Said Reader by Moustafa Bayoumi and Andrew Rubin

War is the Force That Gives Life Meaning by Chris Hedges

Generation Kill Evan Wright

News: The Politics of Illusion by W. Lance Bennett

In Defense of Lost Causes by Slavjo Zizek

B.) Films:

Percepolis by Marjane Satrapi

Wall by Simone Bitton

The Oath by Laura Poitras

Armadillo by Janus Metz Pedersen

Manufacturing Consent: Noam Chomsky and the Media by Mark Achbar and Peter Wintlock

C.) Internet research has mainly been based around Wikipedia articles for guidance on what to read on as well as the Magnum website.

D.) Outsiders that I have discussed my project would mainly be considered my family, even though the experiences brought out in the piece have no real outsiders.

E.) I have not contacted any experts as of yet, as I don’t know what would define an expert in this situation

6. BUDGET

(1)Replica helmet $30

(1) Projector (rental) $400

(4) dvd players $100

(3)Extension cords $50

(1) mp3 player $25

(1) set of headphones $30

(?) Gallery Bulbs $20

(3) Podiums $100

(100) Post cards $0

Podium Supplies $60

Materials for install in gallery $100

Concessions for opening $60

Total: $975

Rounding up midterm ideas

As I have finished the pre production portion of my thesis, my ideas have converged into a fairly honed mesh of media critical work. Engaging with the ideas of Noam Chomsky really brought light to a lot of ideas brewing in my head. Although I have many ideas surrounding colonialism, conflict, democracy, and news media, I have funneled all of the concept into what the pieces all represent.

An updated overview is:

The thesis body plans to explore the relationship that the media has in how we digest conflict. Through repurposing of media sources and strategies of comparison and reevaluation, the viewer will be able to liberate the images given to them by the news sources and create stimulation thought and conversation surrounding them.