Media Mayhem Comes To An End!

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Thank you, one and all, for a great year in Media Arts. Feel free to post a comment on this final blog entry over the summer to clue me in on any 'media arts' sightings you stumble upon during your travels!!

Good luck on those pesky final exams. I'll see you 'round campus next year!

-Mr. Hoban

Media and Folded Fury By Alex Vukasin

Hi this is Alex V. in case anyone was wondering and I have posted this comment on a very important topic, our first project of the year, the mangling media designs. It has come to my attention recently that Mr. Hoban has admitted to not having a clue to what my art piece was about. This is where you, the intelligent student, come into the picture. embedded below is a 20 second long clip showing my media pyramid in action. 1. Your job is to look at this clip as many times as you need to, and write about what you think the pyramid represents. There are no wrong answers, just stupid ones. However, my pyramid has recently become incomplete. 2. Using what you have learned from the brief clip below, decide what you think should be on the top of my pyramid and explain why.

Also, I would like to congratulate everyone on a successful film festival. One very important part of that festival and also our media arts year was Stephen J. Shanabrook folding art. An important topic also arises from this. Why can't I sell my folding art for millions of dollars? What is the difference between what he does and what I do? What makes his crumpled up faces art, and what makes mine just another class project? Based on what we have talked about in class, I would like you to come up with logical answers to explain my many questions. Below the pyramid video there are two pics the one on the right is mine and the one on the left is Stephen Moneybags Shanabrook's. write about any key differences if any between my folded art and his.


Media Pyramid:









Alex Vukasin:






Stephen J. Shanabrook:

Click For Larger Image

One Week To Go!!!

Dear Media Artists:

Firstly, we have Eddy Scanlan to thank for this embedded video below. Check it out. It's a good one, Eddy! Could you please comment on why you called this video up at the end of the class on Friday? (I have a feeling why you did so, but I want you to tell us what relevance it has with what we were doing in class.)


From questioncopyright.org "All Creative Work Is Derivative"


Secondly, please post your continuing thoughts on what your final week's project will be. I will now list what was agreed upon during Friday's class. Remember: YOU MUST BRING ALL MATERIALS (SUPPLIES/TOOLS/ETC.) THAT YOU WILL NEED TO COMPLETE THIS IN CLASS ASSIGNMENT--ON YOUR OWN!!!

Cadet--straw art
Campbell--records on ceiling tile
Champion--??
Guns--Boston Logo
Kotler--mixed media ceiling tile
Ross--song
Scanlan--name with videotape
Shay--ceiling tile on ceiling tile
Washington--flipbook (and 3 page paper entitled "Mr. Hoban: You're A Fool")
Vukasin--??
West--blog
Whelan--stop motion animation

I would like to see each of you post multiple comments over the course of the three day weekend. Comment on other people's posts. Add new ideas to your own. Remember: comment writing is 30% of your marking period grade!!


And thirdly, a link to the movie review of "Picasso and Braque Go To The Movies", (a copy of which was handed out in today's class but some of you conveniently left the article behind) and the supporting video we screened in class:


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Have a safe weekend!!

-Mr. Hoban

Keep on [Searchin'] in the Free World!!

Media Artists:

Reminder, here, to find the BEST Google Earth videos of this great nation of ours and to post the links on this blog. Harrison got lucky today when he stumbled upon some very nice examples of Google Earth 3D. After watching his "technique" you should know where/how to begin your search. And if you want to learn something about U.S. geography, now you have an opportunity to search for some places that you've always wanted to visit...or you can check out the state or city of a distant family member...think up a location and see if something 'pops' up.

The videos in the links you provide will be elements that will be edited into a 'closing video' at the end of the Video Festival on Wednesday. In keeping with one of the themes of the evening (the music of Neil Young), we will end the festival with Young's song: "Keep On Rockin' In the Free World" playing over sweeping images of the USA (thanks to you media artists).

If anyone is interested in helping out with the editing of the piece, let me know. Also...read your classmates' blogs if you haven't already and be sure to leave your comments.

Have a good weekend!


-Mr. Hoban


Oh. Listen up, if you'd like.

Technology Innovation (Guest Blogger: Alex Shay)

The innovation of technology spans from the beginning of time to an undefined end. Technology started in its simplest such as the wheel, the wheel, has given us so much innovation through products such as the car, train, plane and bicycle. An electrical invention such as the radio was very complex for it’s time. The radio can be compared to the Apple iPhone. Obviously there is a profound difference between the radio and the iphone. But innovation of technology has allowed us to grab technology from the early 19th century and late 20th century to unite as one in the early 21century. By this I mean, the radio, television/film, telephone and record player have all been placed into an advanced system that can now fit in your pocket. The iPhone can play your favorite music while you are talking to you friend and looking up dinner reservations and buying movie tickets all at the same time all in the palm of your hand. This was considered completely impossible until the idea was sparked by interest and collaborative ideas. Sometimes we are limited to innovate by the technology of our time. The iPhone could not have been made in the 19th century because there was not enough technology to make it at the time. For example, teleportation seams impossible now but can be possible in the future. This is the same view point that people in the 19th and 20th century had at their time.

So my question is... What is your favorite apple product and when did you get it?
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Jack Kelly--World Class Rower (Guest Blogger: Julia Vari)

John (Jack) B. Kelly Sr. is one of the most influential oarsmen. He’s the “Babe Ruth” of rowing. After his family moved to Philadelphia from Ireland, he’d watch professional single scullers(one rower in a boat using two oars) racing on the Schuylkill River dreaming to one day be them. He started rowing with local clubs, the most notable being Vesper Boat Club. Vesper is still around today and is one of the boathouses making up Boathouse Row. He later learned to scull and after overcoming flipping his boat in early races, Jack won numerous events. With a 126 race winning streak and 6 National Championships Kelly applied to race at the Henley Royal Regatta, one of the most prestigious rowing events taking place in England. Kelly, being a bricklayer, was not accepted because at the time all rowers had to have professions that were not laborious since it was seen as an unfair advantage for someone to work with their hands all day. He got his redemption by competing in the 1920 Summer Olympics where he won the single a second faster than Jack Beresford and he won the double scull with his cousin Paul Costello.


I got into rowing last year as a freshman. Basically every weekend this year my team has traveled down to the Schuylkill River. It's really inspirational rowing on a river where such a great oarsman got his start. Above is the statue of Jack Kelly at the finish line on the Schuylkill.

Below is a rowing race. The first is a single sculler (which Kelly was). The second is the more popluar eights.





Now, my question for you is who is your favorite athlete or what is your favorite sport? Why?

Taylor Swift (guest blogger--Lauren Kotler)

Taylor Alison Swift was born as a star,she was born on December 13, 1989 in a small town in Wymossing, PA. Taylor has been singing all of her life and her inspiration is her grandmother who was a professional opera singer. She started her career by locally performing starting at the age of 8 and everyone enjoyed her music. At age 11 she sang the national anthem at a 76s game and preformed at restaurants until the age of seventeen until her fame sparked while she preformed at a showcase at Nashville's Bluebird Cafe in 2006, Scott Borchetta who was creating a new record label and wanted Taylor to be the first one he signs to his new label called Big Machine Records.Later that year of 2006 Swift had her first single called Tim McGraw which was a hit and went to number one on the charts. In 2008 she released two studio albums, Fearless, and Taylor Swift. Fearless was the best selling album from 2008 through 2009. Later in 2009 she kicked off her Fearless tour in all 50 states and more. Her tickets sold out in less than two minutes and became the most awarded country artist in the music history. Swift has been nominated 86 times and had won 62 awards from 2008-2010. Taylor is my favorite singer and role model who is yours?

How To Make A Hit Video (Guest Blogger: Harrison Whelan)

Here is how to come up with good video ideas and how to create good videos.
Usually you will start off brainstorming for new ideas, and this usually happens when you are in a quiet place. My favorite places consist of a park, an empty bedroom, or a in a classroom.





If you are with a friend then the brainstorming will be much easier, since you both can come up with thoughts at the same time and piece them together. Make sure you are with a creative partner though; you don’t want your ideas being bland and boring. Another tip is to write down every possible idea so then in the future; it can be expanded and hopefully written into a script. When coming up with video ideas think realistically. If you have an idea that seems out of budget for your own situation then don’t do it. There’s nothing worse than being stuck with all this filmed material and have it being trashed because you cant finish it because of your budget.
Another tip when you’re finished shooting is to have a good editing software and good knowledge of said editing software. The pros use a program called Final Cut Pro. If you cant afford this (it is pricy) then you should get Final Cut Express. It is less expensive but has less effects and options than FCP.
Here is a video tutorial about the basics of FCE.



Here is a link to the Apple website.

Another situation one has to deal with is writers block. Which is basically when you can’t come up with any good ideas. A quick solution to this (I have found to be very successful) is to just have something to eat, watch some TV, and talk to yourself a lot. I know talking to yourself may sound weird but it really helps keep the mind going and sometimes helps good ideas flow.

I hope these tips have been helpful and good luck on creating a great video!

Music Mentality and Motion (Guest Blogger: Nick Guns)

Nicholas Guns

Enjoying music is a part of people’s lives all around the world. It has been vital to culture since the beginning of human settlement as ingenious people constructed the first bone flutes, animal hide drums, and primitive maracas. Music’s development over thousands of years as produced great artists as well as great instruments, and styles. Such creation is a new kind of invention; not for work, but for expression. As people look back on the greatest musical artists in history they envision people like Ludwig Van Beethoven, George Harrison, and Tupac. However, could they ever imagine creating art themselves? Learning how to play an instrument and musical abilities could make anyone the next star, but do they have the guts to try it?


Music is defined as sound organized over time. Simple, it seems but is there more? This is a great question many have asked themselves but only few answer. People need to explore the vast realm of which could be their song and if they play it on a guitar, on the court, on their desk, or in their head during algebra class. To really answer these great questions and to truly feel self expressed, music is the only way to go. Just think, how you could change and opinion, or even the world with a single note, rhyme, or line. So yell the song of you, and feel how it feels. Express yourself in music, so you can pass the time. Music is a form of expression, and it is up to you to make an impression.



Small Assignment: 1) Think of the music that inspires you the most. Describe this music and tell why it interests you. Is it the lyrics? Instruments? Beats? etc. 2) Do you agree with my definition of music or is there "more" to it? Make an arguement and explain why you believe so.

NJ All Day (Guest Blogger: Ryan Ross)

If you're looking for good basketball, and I'm talking really good basketball, you don't have to look very far. Right here in our backyard, the state of New Jersey, there is some of the best high school basketball in the country. In total, their have been over 30 McDonald's High School All Americans from the Garden State. NJ has three teams that are regularly in the country's tom 25 teams: St. Patrick's of Elizabeth, St. Benedict's of Newark, and St. Anthony's of Jersey City. This year, the state was shaken up when the state championship did not include any of these three giants. Instead, the state championship came back close to home for me, going to the Trenton Catholic Academy team of Hamilton, NJ. Because my friend plays on the Trenton Catholic team, I attended nearly every game in the tournament. Even though the tournament was missing St. Patrick's because of an illegal practicing scandal, the tournament still displayed top talent across the board. Some famous alumni from the state are Charlie Villanueva and Luol Deng who both played for Blair and now are in the NBA. Others are Joakim Noah, J.R. Smith, Al Harrington, Andrew Bynum, Tim Thomas, and Jay Williams, all of whom are or were recently in the NBA.

Speaking NJ high school basketball, our school is one of the many competitive teams in the state.

One of the NBA's all time greats, Willis Reed is played basketball in NJ. He was raised in Cedar Grove, NJ. If you don't know who he is, here is a video

This video shows Willis Reed's heroic return from an injury in Game 7 of an intense playoff series. His Knicks would go on to win the series thanks to his stellar play. Willis Reed's heart and skill epitomizes the New Jersey Basketball Player.

What's your favorite sport to play or watch? Is the sport popular in your state? What professional athletes are from your area?

Caroline's Glee Blog (Guest Blogger--Caroline Campbell)

I love watching TV, and my favorite TV show is Glee. Glee is about a group of teenagers in high school. Most of them are not very popular, but they all have one thing in common: they can sing. So one of the Spanish teachers at the school in Lima, Ohio, Mr. Schuester, takes over the glee club at the school, where the students can come and sing together. Glee club used to be popular at the school, but after time it became known as something only the outcasts and losers do. So when Will Schuester takes it over he tries to change it back into the popular club it was before.

The show is a good mixture of drama, comedy, and singing. All of the characters have specific personalities. Rachel is the lead girl singer, and Finn is the lead male singer. The other people in the glee club are Puck, Kurt, Quinn, Mercedes, Santana, Brittany, Artie, Tina, and Mike. The students in glee club are typical high school students, so there is a lot of drama going on. There are many relationships between the people in the glee club, and there are also a lot of problems with the cheerleading coach at the school, Sue Sylvester. She tries to do whatever she can to ruin the glee club forever. The show has been a big hit, with millions of viewers each week.

This is a video showing the commercial for season two of Glee.


Write a comment saying your favorite TV show or who your favorite character on Glee is if you watch it. Thanks for reading my blog
Caroline Campbell

For Tonight:

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Write your first blog passage on your top interest. Please put effort into using proper grammar and correct spelling. Also, make the reader truly learn something about this interest of yours...not just that you really, really, really like it. Email your writing to mhoban@hunschool.org tonight. We'll work on posting it on the blog tomorrow during class.

-Mr. Hoban

Maritza Correia (Guest Blogger - Janine Cadet)

Maritza Correia is the first African-American female swimmer to make it to the Olympics. She was born in 1981 in San Juan, Puerto Rico but her parents moved their from Guyana. At seven years old, she was diagnose with a severe case of scoliosis, therefore to help cure it her parents started her up with swimming. She started to become very good and started to win championship after championship. She attended UGA (University of Georgia) and during her college career she was a 27-All Time American and 11-time NCAA Champion. In 2000, she had high hopes of making it to the Olympics in Sydney, Australia and went to Olympic Trials but missed the cut off and slipped into a depression. With help of friends and family she finally re-emerged to becoming a top swimmer. She then made it to the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece in the 4X400 Freestyle Relay.


Video I Made of Maritza Correia:



Now retired, Martiza Correia is a promoter for USA Swimming and Nike. She also speaks to young inner city kids about her swimming career and encourages them to follow her dream. I've met her even a couple of times and her story ahs inspired me to keep trying harder. Is their anyone who has inspired you to do the same? Thanks for reading!

Sports town P-way (Isaiah West: Guest Blogger)

Piscataway New Jersey is a decent sized town in Central Jersey. Right in the backyard of Rutgers University, it is the home of very competitive football. Over the years It has been claimed Sports Illustrated Sportstown, home to many Pop Warner championships and High School football championships. From 2002 to 2006 Piscataway brought the championship trophy back to Piscataway.

Here is a clip of highlights from P-way high school football



In Piscataway's years of dominance came dominant players including Kyle Wilson, Malcolm Jenkins and Anthony Davis

Kyle Wilson recieved a scholarship to attend Boise State in Idaho for football. At Boise he was a three year starter and achieved success with the team during his career. He was the favored to go the farthest back ever since pop warner football days.
Here is his Boise State foorball clips



Whereas Malcolm Jenkins, who was a 4 year starter at ohio state, did not even get recruited by Ohio State's Jim Tressel He was the overlooked player in high school and worked twice as hard to end up recieving a scholarship from Ohio State.
Here is Malcolm's Ohio State highlights

Lastly Anthony Davis another hometown native, ended up staying in his hometown to enjoy a great 3 year career at Rutgers University under coach Greg Schiano.
Here is a clip of Anthony at Rutgers. He wears number 75


These three guys have been apart of success since high school. now all of them are in the NFL. Kyle Wilson a rookie playing for the New York Jets, Anthony Davis also a rookie for the San Francisco 49ers and Malcolm Jenkins a second year veteran for the New Orleans Saints.
In his first year in the NFL Malcolm became a Super Bowl Champion. Here is his interview after the win.



Do you think that the other two players mentioned in this blog will achieve the same success? Or do you know of any people in a similar situation or sport that is on a road to success from your town?

Three Topics: Technology, Hockey, and Pranks (Guest Blogger Alex Vukasin)

Today, I have written this post to show you 1.how media changes over time, 2.which video is the funniest,and 3.the techniques used to sell magazines. The technology of media is very different from 20 years ago. A GREAT example of this is hockey interviews.

The first video (below) is one of the greats of hockey, a former Red Wing named Brett Hull. The second video is of rising hockey star Sidney Crosby (of the Penguins who just lost to the Canadians... HA!) Your assignment today is to watch both interviews and comment on the key differences in quality between the two media clips. After that, list media technologies that have improved over the course of many years.

Secondly, watch the third video and ask yourself which was the funniest-- the class taking the lights out video, or Mr. Hoban's prank video or the one I posted below. Explain why. (there is a reason for this).

My third and final question is about what draws the attention of the average joe (you) to watch a certain news channel or to read a certain newspaper. is it the graphics, setup,or just the info? also take a look at this New York Times newspaper article and this Celebrity magazine cover, which one looks more interessting to you?




Brett Hull Interview ( guy with the mullet):








Sidney Crosby and Marc-Andre Fleury Interview( Marc is the first guy with the funny accent):













Funny prank video:

The Next Blog Assignment for Section 3, Intro to Media Arts

Dear Students:

As part of this week's grade for your Intro to Media Arts course you will create and publish a Media Arts Blog Entry, much like all of the ones I posted this semester. You will pick a topic of choice/interest that is related in some way to the study of media arts.

For instance, Alex Vukasin has an interest (which quite frankly confounds me) in professional hockey. He may choose to research the early days of "The Great One". And if you don't know who "The Great One" is, you should have already clicked on the link above!! (hah.)

Commercial break: this is a video we watched in class:



Anyway, Alex may be searching for images or videos as well as web sites that focus on the high school career of "The Great One". Then he will write up a short blog complete with media elements, including links, pictures and videos.

For more information on this assignment, please ask about it during our next class.

Thank you.

Mr. Hoban
(not "The Great One")

Alex Vukasin: This Post's For You!!

Based on our discussion in class today, work on the homework assignment (newspaper article for the 'closet incident') using this web link as a guide to your writing. Good luck. Email me your work if done by a reasonable hour tonight, or else I'll review it with you tomorrow. Good luck, Alex!

-Mr. Hoban

In The Closet With Hoban

Without writing too much about Friday's 8th period class, I figure it's best to look at a few pics and listen to the time spent in the dark with a group of media arts students!

Closet Case Study from Marty Hoban on Vimeo.

Mr. Hoban 'tazed' with a tesla coil!!

So Tell Me...

...what did you do in class today? Provide many, many details.

-Mr. Hoban

This Post's For You (unfortunately it's after 10 pm...how many of you will be up to read it?)

I've had some fun tonight going through the interactive map of today's Front Pages on the Newseum's website. What a great resource, I can't get over it. Seriously! (Please...stop with the snide remarks you're currently making!)

I was poking around, trying to determine how many newspapers across this great land of ours covered a front page mention of the Kent State Shootings. The answer: not many. Indeed, it was slim pickins as I searched most of the dots on the map. Then I decided to check "the biggies" only: Boston Globe, Miami Herald, L.A. Times, Chicago Tribune, The Washington Post and finally USA Today. Only on this last entry did I find a story on the front page. Check it out here, complete with a video narrated by one of the survivors of that day.

Interestingly though, I found one more front page story from a newspaper published in the vicinity of Washington D.C. It made for an interesting read and I wondered about who the publisher was as I read on. A little lesson in "don't believe everything you read" is evident as you read between the lines of the story (and then by performing a little online investigation on the background of this particular newspaper.) What can you find out about it? Why does it matter? Anyway, here's another picture to build up the visual content on our blog:

Online Research: Akron Beacon Journal May 3, 2010

Study the front page of today's Akron Beacon Journal. (You can click on the image, then hit control + to enlarge the image.) Any mentions of Kent State to be found? Look for the relevant link on this front page and enter it in the web address/url box of your browser. Investigate the Kent State Shooting articles from the past forty years that the Akron Beacon Journal covered. Be prepared for a lively discussion in class.

BONUS REQUEST!!!!

How good are your web surfing skills? Can you locate what the online source is of this front page image of today's Akron Beacon? Where on the web does a database of newspaper front pages exist? Write your findings in the comments section.

Happy Hunting!!

-Mr. Hoban

No Need for 3D Glasses!

Media Arts Students:

The weekend's homework assignment is to post links/find pictures to support what Mr. Bush speaks about in his interview segments. PLEASE POST YOUR FINDINGS IN THE COMMENT SECTION OF THE PREVIOUS POST. NOT HERE!!!

This post is an 'enrichment experience', if you will. Check out this VERY amazing 3D tour of Picasso's "Guernica". You may post any feelings/findings you have regarding "Guernica" on this blog entry.

-Mr. Hoban

Research Assignment (Part 2): Find the Visuals That Match the Words

Search the Internet for sites that help in your understanding of the terms/places/etc. that Mr. Bush mentions in this interview. Find LARGE (500 x 400 or bigger) images on the web of these relevant visuals. Copy and paste the web address source of each picture in the comments of this blog post.

Get to it!!

-Mr. Hoban

Mr. David Bush Interview from Marty Hoban on Vimeo.

Research Assignment: Find the Visuals That Match the Words

View this video clip of Mr. O'Brien's interview. Listen to his stories about his time spent in Vietnam during the war and his thoughts on the Kent State Shootings. As you watch, take notes on key 'visuals' he refers to. For example, Mr. O'Brien talks about his duties "in the jungle on the Cambodian border." He also mentions names of newspapers, company battalions, something about peace talks, some sort of trail that's important and a whole host of other visuals. Search the Internet for sites that help in your understanding of these terms/places/etc...AND: find LARGE (500 x 400 or bigger) images on the web of these relevant visuals Mr. O'Brien mentions. Copy and paste the web address source of each picture in the comments of this blog post.

Get to it!!

-Mr. Hoban

Mr. Charles O'Brien Interview from Marty Hoban on Vimeo.

I Swear, I thought this was Guns!!!

This coulda been you Nick Guns!! But hey...maybe it still can be!!!

Writers Write...

Get those lyrics, beats, whatevers down in your comments.

-Mr. Hoban

WOWEEE!! (I'm going to have to wash my ears out with soap!")

Dear Media Arts Students:

From Section 2's discussion today, I'd like everyone to post a link to a favorite "protest song" that's on the web. Now, please be careful!! One song that was suggested to me: Freedom of Speech by Immortal Technique, though artfully done and entertaining to listen to, should not be considered material that is OK to post on this blog. Simply put, the nature of the material and language used can be considered offensive. So...play it safe, shall we?! Post away...and keep it clean!!

Also, each student in the Media Arts class will need to interview, on camera, one adult that was around and remembers, the Kent State Shootings. I'll talk more about this in tomorrow's classes, but I wanted to let you know now, so that you can start thinking about who you will interview.

-Mr. Hoban

4th Marking Period Assignment: Research Multi-Media Project

Objective:

1. Take a classic rock song, in this case CSN&Y's "Ohio", and learn everything there is to know about this song including:
a) its creation
b) the meaning behind the music
c) its place in the panoply of protest music
d) understanding its modern day relevance

2. Based on this research and your general understanding of the significance of this song, consider creating a multi-media project based around this exploration that will then be presented in a culminating performance/presentation at this year's video festival.


Below is a laundry list (in order of appearance in the comment section) of relevant words related to the song "Ohio", found by those students who posted comments to this blog:

Kent State, May 4, 1970, Ohio National Guard, student protest, Cambodia, Nixon, anti-war, anti-Nixon, Neil Young, Vietnam War, draft lottery, killing 4 injuring 9, CSN&Y, AM radio stations, underground FM stations, Allison Krause, William Schroeder, Jeffrey Miller, Sandra Scheuer

In just over three weeks, Kent State University will be observing the 40th Anniversary of the shootings on its campus. We will continue our exploration of the this topic as well as go in directions you would like to head in creating your multi-media project. What are you going to do toward this assignment this weekend? What other information is out there on the web? Post what you find in the comments.

See you all on Monday.


-Mr. Hoban

Gotta Get Down To It...

Media Arts Students:

Tonight's homework, as we continue our early explorations of the incident at Kent State Universtiy some forty years ago, is to listen to the words of then student photojournalist John Filo. Mr. Filo snapped one of the most recognizable photographs in modern day journalism, minutes after the shootings at Kent State University on May 4, 1970. Read the information on this web site and listen to Mr. Filo himself as he retells the events that lead to what some have called the "Kent State Massacre."

And Now For Something Completely Different:

Based on today's class discussions and questions generated, begin your research. Be prepared to support your findings.


Tin soldiers and Nixon coming,
We're finally on our own.
This summer I hear the drumming,
Four dead in Ohio.

Gotta get down to it
Soldiers are cutting us down
Should have been done long ago.
What if you knew her
And found her dead on the ground
How can you run when you know?

Gotta get down to it
Soldiers are cutting us down
Should have been done long ago.
What if you knew her
And found her dead on the ground
How can you run when you know?

Tin soldiers and Nixon coming,
We're finally on our own.
This summer I hear the drumming,
Four dead in Ohio.

"Confounding Machines: How the Future Looked"

The article I handed out to read over the long weekend is from The New York Times' Ideas & Trends section, circa 2005. The author of the article begins the investigation into the role that the "bigs" in technology (radio, film, tv and now the Internet) play in human understanding/communication/evolution (perhaps).

Quoted in the article is a very interesting (at least to me...and so to you as well!!) passage by Kevin Kelly, editor of Wired magazine. Check out his own story from the August 2005 issue of Wired to understand where we were (the human race) at the cusp of the "Internet Revolution" back in 1995. Some nice perspective is provided in how we got to where we are today in this reading. Click on the link below...

-Mr. Hoban

We Are the Web by Kevin Kelly

Exhibit Signage Assignment

From our discussion in today's class, come up with an appropriate (and catchy) title for last week's in-class assignment. I am being elusive in not mentioning the activity by name, for fear that any suggestion of what we did last week will alter your choice of words when titling the exhibit. Then--after considering everything you did, you read, and you wrote--clearly state the objective of this assignment in as few 'choice' words as possible. (It's up to you to define what I mean by 'few'. If you can't say it in less than 100 words...fine. If six is too many, so be it.)

To help you out, here is how dictionary.com defines 'objective', when used in this context:

-something that one's efforts or actions are intended to attain or accomplish;
purpose; goal; target: the objective of a military attack; the objective of a
fund-raising drive.


As always, do your writing in the comment section of this blog.

ALSO, for tomorrow, bring all your media surveys to class.

Thank you.

Mr. Hoban

p.s. From today's screening of the documentary Hi-8 1/2, many of you asked me about one of the student movies highlighted in the doc. If you're interested (and you have an hour and fifteen minutes to spare) you can watch the entire movie Prank online (in 8 parts). Here's Part One, below. This is not, I repeat, NOT required viewing.

"Prank" Part 1 of 8 from Marty Hoban on Vimeo.

Respond To This Fictional Scenario:

One fine day in Paris, France modern artist Stephen J. Shanabrook is walking along the Seine River for inspiration when he comes upon the great (and long dead!) 20th Century artist Pablo Picasso sipping on an espresso at an outdoor cafe. Picasso invites Shanabrook to join him and the two have a conversation about their art. Picasso knows nothing about Shanabrook. But Shanabrook knows everything about Picasso. What did they talk about before the conversation was abruptly ended by Picasso who pushed away from the table in anger and stormed off, calling Shanabrook a cheat and a thief?

[Please write your story in the comment window. Grading for your version of the story will be based on factual points you researched about both gentlemen, as well as on imagination/ creativity. Your posts must have original content in them and may not use any material from previous posts to this blog entry!!

-Mr. Hoban]

But What Is His Profile Really Saying??

STEPHEN J SHANABROOK works in a disparity, a space of unexpected associations, altered perception and exsquisite entropy. In all his undertakings, there is the process of evisceration and a search within process for a different aspect of beauty. Abstracted upon the experience of daily reality, his inveterate and mysterious works leave one with an intensely evocative, sometimes disquieting, yet ultimately peaceful sensibility.

Homework: Bring to class as many "large canvases" of the human face as reproduced in current periodicals (ie magazines). If you want to try your hand at practicing some more on the fine art of folding, ala Mr. Shanabrook, please feel free and bring in those samples of your work as well.

-Mr. Hoban

Survey Says...

So? What do your surveys say? I wonder.

Please bring your media survey questionaires to class on Monday, March 22 as we return to school after a nice long spring break! Can't wait to get back into the swing of things! (I'm sure you all feel the same way!)

Anybody like to share (in a comment to this post) what you did over spring break?

See you Monday.

-Mr. Hoban

A Photo Spread of Student Work

Spring Break's Got A Hold On Me

Dear Students:

Just like you during the school year, I am slacking now. I promised to get 'reviews' of your project work up on the blog by now...so sorry, but the weather's too nice!!

Anyway, I'll do it piecemeal over the next two week. Here is a video of one of the most kinetic pieces created in the class. Enjoy.

-Mr. Hoban

I Am But Mad North-Northwest!!

It's been a mad crazy week leading up to The Hun School's spring break! Whew. Lots of last minute student work always makes for a frenetic, fast-paced finish. While the students completed all of their assignments (to be highlighted in my next blog post), I played hookie during one 6th period class to help out Mr. Tim Pitts with a special presentation/lecture on one of my all-time favorite topics: Mr. Alfred Hitchcock. Mr. Pitts's American Art History class had just watched North By Northwest (my top Hitch flic, as many former video students can attest to.) He asked for an assist, so I brought along an old powerpoint presentation on the 'Master of Suspense' as well as two pre-cinematic devices to mix up the movie magic moments.

Hitchcock Pop Up Book from Marty Hoban on Vimeo.

This is a pop-up book called "Alfred Hitchcock: The Master of Suspense" featuring climactic scenes from his cinematic work that literally jump off the page!!

Unfortunately this book does not feature my most favorite of Hitchcock scenes, so we need to resort to another pre-cinema distribution method: the flipbook. Enjoy!

North By Northwest Flipbook from Marty Hoban on Vimeo.

Run, Roger Run!!

Beware the First of March!!

To All Media Arts Students:

Tomorrow, March 1st--Quiz during 1st and 2nd periods. (What a way to wake up to the week before spring break!!)

Until then...

-Mr. Hoban

News Flash: Teacher Calls Out, But School's In Session!!

Dear Media Arts Students Who Came to School Today:

You are stronger than most! Even I was stymied by today's storm. Sorry I cannot be with you today. The good news is: no quiz! The bad news is: it'll come back to haunt you...probably on Monday, since tomorrow is up in the air as well. So, it's settled. The quiz is now officially moved to Monday March 1st (in like a lion!)

As I continued 'stumbling 'round' the web yesterday, I came upon this very cool web site: Make Something Cool Everyday. Outstanding words to live by for the creative types! The challenge is now out there. Can you make something cool everyday? Check out the site, particularly the photo labeled (on the bottom) "7/6/09: 5 Cuts". Totally up our collective alleys!!

For today's class (sans teacher): keep working on your individual creations.

-Mr. Hoban

Put Another Record On!!

Word has it, we're having school tomorrow!! HAHAHA!!!

Anyway kiddles....Study up. Read up. Do whatever you need to do to prep for tomorrow's quiz. No biggie if you've been following along (and have checked in on the blog AND read the book!)

It was nice to FINALLY get started on the record project. I liked seeing all the activity in both classes. (Can you believe it? A certain student actually started doing something in class!! (I can't name names but suffice it to say, I was impressed with this particular student's output. Keep at it...you know who you are!!))

I found some related links to today's proceeding. Thanks to Isaiah West for inspiring me to check out what's on the web with regard to vinyl art.

Check out "Record Recycling" and "How To Make a Record Bowl". If you do a search for "vinyl art" on Google images you'll see a plethora of plastic pop-art (?) possibilities!

Any other search possibilities? Share them with your classmates in your next comment.

Have a wonderfully snow-less evening!

-Mr. Hoban

Music Appreciation

As we venture into uncharted expressions of mangled media art, let's not forget--that even though we may be warping vinyl, hot gluing records and slicing or dicing album art, the primary expression--the music--is the art form of primary inspiration and appreciation at this particular point in our exploration. So go ahead and 'pop' the Fab Four off the cross walk on Abbey Road, or melt the tracks on Side A of Zeppelin's "In Through the Out Door", or adhere Jay Z's rap lyrics to a suspended CD...it's all good...and all in the name of manipulated media art. Let's get busy!!

For future re-visits, here is the video of Maestro Benjamin Zander discussing the importance of classical music appreciation (a great piece!):



And now for a little fun. Below, are the lyrics from Radiohead's No Surprises. I decided to do a little media manipulated opportunity on this blog...a sort of "guided stumbleupon" journey. See if you agree with the hypertexted imagery I've sprinkled throughout the words! Let me know what you think (or make your own suggestions) in your comments.

AND REMEMBER: quiz on Thursday!!!


No Surprises
By Radiohead

A heart that's full up like a landfill
A job that slowly kills you
Bruises that won't heal

You look so tired unhappy
Bring down the government
They don't, they don't speak for us

I'll take a quiet life
A handshake of carbon monoxide

And no alarms and no surprises
No alarms and no surprises
No alarms and no surprises
Silent, silent

This is my final fit
My final bellyache

With no alarms and no surprises
No alarms and no surprises
No alarms and no surprises please

Such a pretty house
And such a pretty garden

No alarms and no surprises
No alarms and no surprises
No alarms and no surprises please


(what a happy song!)

Trolling For Comments...

Anyone and everyone should write about their record/album cover project ideas here. List any materials you may need some assistance in getting. Also, don't forget to visit Stumbleupon.com. It's a great place for random web sites to inspire you!

Here's another cool site: Hemmy.net (the weblog that never sleeps.) Great examples of amazing works of art!!

-Mr. Hoban

Imbedded Videos Are "The Bomb"!!

These are a few videos I'd like you to "experience". Make sure you take the time to listen to a little bit of the recording medium examples (wax cylinder, 78 record and 45 album). The first video is of the classroom whiteboard and the scribbled notes that I made based on our in-class discussion on the history of sound recording media. Follow the helpful annotations (programmed by video superstar Arno Konings) as I talk you through the mess on the board. (Hint, hint: this is important stuff for next week's quiz.)




Here is a very cool rendition of "Stars and Stripes Forever", coming to you through the magic of 19th century technology: wax cylinders!!




And now for something completely different. A jukebox playing 78s:




And now, The Righteous Brothers with their hit single, "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" on a 45: