Table Top Video: Artist Statement

Keeping in mind the spirit of spacial and temporal demonstrations learned through class, my intent was to create a body of work that best reflects these points in a methodically yet satirical way. My project (entitled "The Struggling Artist") was really a gathering of experiences over the years I have had as an student, artist, and observer of all things pertaining to "art". With the drawing board, I was able to use most of the frame space, creating a more logical atmosphere tapping into the minds of both the student and teacher.

The student (or robot) was symbolic of struggling artists hoping to achieve notoriety and success, yet failing to understand the "big picture" and little details that are necessary to succeed. The teacher was more of a "stumbling block" of sorts guiding him (the student) and confusing him all at the same time. The unique display of hand motions and vocal tones were meant as illustrations and installations in themselves, much like the puppet show within Alex Bag's "untitled fall '95" piece. The moods and attitudes become clearer as the two characters interact and collide...uniquely portraying "artistic differences" within the constraints of space and time.

I think overall, my project was a success and conveyed enough emotion to pull the viewers in, while allowing them to examine the proper logic and tone of the performance. The lack of music I think also added to that tone, presenting an akward and sticky situation that strictly relies on action, content, all through the eye of a sketchpad. If there was anything I could improve on, it would probably be robots evolution of anger. The script was fine, but maybe could have benefited more from some loftier language...but then again he ">>//iS A rO-BoT//<<", right? (that's robot language...I guess).

Alex Bag

Originally my first reactions to Alex Bag's work were a bit mixed. While I thought her acting and use of make-up and wardrobe were very unique, I thought it was a little over the top with the puppetry skits. They were entertaining, but didn't really relate to much to her confessional routine. They were almost random acts of nonsense, like watching an episode of "Jack-Ass."

However, they were entertaining and thoughtful, whether she chose to make a statement on culture, education, social problems, or what have you. On youtube, I had searched for some interesting diaretical confessions used as installation work, but couldn't find very much relating to Bag's work.

So, I chose to focus more on the puppetry show of her "untitled fall '95" piece and found some interesting works. The one I found here (on the link below) was a series of shorts on a mockery of harry potter characters. They exploit the emotions and personalities of the characteres from the books, but predominantly, the movie actors. In a way it was symbolic of the gremlin and monster, as well as the bunny, in Alex Bag's film.

All of our assumptions onf those personalities and the stereotypes are presented perfectly and the comical humor (as with Ronald McDonald and E.T.) are illustrated as if real human actors simply used brought to life with simple puppetry. An interesting and thoughtful method, no matter how contrived and irritating it might well be.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xD-Huwlg2kY&NR=1