Sam's Blog

Our final 254 project : the Dynes!

2006-12-02T20:11:00.000-05:00

It's the only picture I can show you of our final project. We had to create the currency of the future. Since we though that everybody would do it in an Utopia society, we decided to create it the most realistic as possible.
Actually we had two part for our project. The first one was a chip that everybody would have under their skin that would look like: "http://people.howstuffworks.com/animated-tattoo.htm". Instead of a customizable tattoo, the chip would show the picture of a bar code, or something similar to, which correspond to you unique ID. Since the teacher preferred our second part, I won't elaborate on the technicalities of the chip.
The second one was the bills. Even if the chip was enough to replace the credit and depit cards, we though that it would be impossible to remove completely all the bills from society. We changed the concept of bills being a currency for bills as a product. We decided to put advertising on smaller electronic bills. Electronic because we wanted to remove completely the concept of coins. When you go to the bank to print your bills, you can decide which charge would be in the bill. Then, when you want to use it in a shop, a machine is used to change the charge that was on it. There is many different kind of bills. The sponsored one is a bill that cost less than the value of the bill. The commemorative and the conservative are the same to print it. The famous designera bills are a lot more expensive for its value. My favorite, the personnalized one, expensive too, you can use your own design to put on the bill.
Oh! and by the way, our currency what called the Dynes.

Brain

2006-10-31T11:15:00.001-05:00

Brain,
originally uploaded by cow03.

Design Exercise about mapping. Sorry for the quality.
It is the map of the administrative floor of my brain, where all the big decisions related to relations with other corporations are made. Their is a chair for the Friendship, Dating, Studying and working Director. Lacking space on other floors, we decided to add the offices for the big decisions for our own corporation, left and right brain team. The CEO is the conscience of this floor, assuring that all the decisions are good ones.

Ransom

2006-10-24T18:16:00.001-04:00

Ransom,
originally uploaded by cow03.

The idea was to create an humorous ransom note. I found the trap, then the cat,... to continue was only a matter of time : ). Most of the stuff has been found in a Gothic magazine that I brought back from Amsterdam this summer.

Dating Symbols

2006-10-17T21:26:00.001-04:00

Dating Symbols,
originally uploaded by cow03.

These are my symbols that represent my daily activity -> Dating!!!! (actually I've not taken it so seriously, so don't worry if there is stupid things) (and for being sure that nobody think it, I'm usually not a pervert : ) )

I'll post explanation about each:
1 - This is a pervert guy looking in the keyhole of a door leading to... probably a girl undressing, but I let you imagine what you want.
2 - Warning, mating area. I think it can be useful if there is really this kind of place in a public area, so you can make your mind before seeing it.
3 - My favorite, kissing area : ). A public place that lovers can legally show their love to each other : P. I wanted to put something like Only on weekdays from 8h to 23h. But it was getting more stupid that it already was : ).
4 - Flirting for tourists (blue usually mean a touristic area). Very useful when you are searching for a travel love relationship :P. (and yes, the 2 last ones are ugly, I've done them in 5 minutes)
5 - You are legally authorized to depressed in this area because of a broken heart.

Movie Game Propaganda

2006-10-16T08:29:00.000-04:00

I had to make a movie project of one minute which had to be the size of a cellphone screen, or iPod, or any small electronical device. Excuse me, the synchronisation in the online version is not very good, the video is not playing as fast as audio. Ok, there is the explanation of this movie (watch it before reading this).

It is a critic about the increasing violence and realism in videogames which is linked to the increasing cases of school shooting. It starts with a small screen to show the difference about technology and reality. The music too was to create an empty atmosphere in the reality to show that it is not as games. The end of the movie was only to make people react like the guy was really seeing life as an extension of videogames.
You should read the book about the history of Cybercraft it is really interesting : P.

Design Exercise - Textures1

2006-10-10T23:08:00.001-04:00

Textures1,
originally uploaded by cow03.

Ok, it's finished. Ohhhhh! I'm so relieved... : P

Design Exercise - Textures2

2006-10-10T23:06:00.001-04:00

Textures2,
originally uploaded by cow03.

Ok,.... it's finished :P. I really don't like this exercise: ). My favorite is Friction!

Design Exercise1

2006-10-10T19:33:00.001-04:00

Carres1,
originally uploaded by cow03.

Sorry for the crappy resolution : ).

Informations

2006-10-10T15:17:00.000-04:00

Informations,
originally uploaded by cow03.

Not the most common, but usally the most useful when you're lost : ).

Fire Hydrant

2006-10-10T15:13:00.000-04:00

Borne Fontaine,
originally uploaded by cow03.

I don't know why, but they put this sign on the fire hydrant next to my appartment.

No Parking

2006-10-10T15:12:00.000-04:00

NoParking,
originally uploaded by cow03.

I think you can find this one on every road in Montreal : ). And yes, I took the dirtiest I've found.

Recycling

2006-10-10T15:11:00.000-04:00

Recyclage,
originally uploaded by cow03.

Common one. It is one of the most important symbol in my appartment, my roomates are really "we must preserve environment". I agree with them.

Matières Infectieuses

2006-10-10T15:09:00.000-04:00

Mantières Infectieuses,
originally uploaded by cow03.

I've chosen this one because I know that there is nobody who took this one : ). Yes on a daily basis because I work in a Hospital. And I really like the design of this one.

History Of Chris Frame 1

2006-10-10T14:08:00.000-04:00

His1,
originally uploaded by cow03.

My object -> Xbox Sound System Controller
Who use it ? ->Gamers and music fans
If it has magical powers...? -> Control user personnality
Who would use it ? -> Gamers and Microsoft : )
Is it a product/personnal object ? -> both
When would it be used ? -> When you want to change
Where would it be used ? -> Anywhere

This is the story of Christopher Chuck who was a big gamer, a real geek. He was "an appallingly dull fellow, unimaginative, timid, lacking in initiative, spineless, easily dominated, no sense of humour, tedious company and irrepressibly drab and awful." (Monty Python, Vocational Guidance Counsellor Sketch) He tried to change, he even used medication, like Lakota, but without any success.

History Of Chris Frame 2

2006-10-10T14:07:00.000-04:00

His2,
originally uploaded by cow03.

One day, he've seen an ad about the new Xbox controller.

Want to live? You are Lucky, this controller have the possibility to change the user's personnality.

He was desperate, so he tried.

History Of Chris Frame 3

2006-10-10T14:06:00.001-04:00

His3,
originally uploaded by cow03.

How to use it? Simple, it must be inserted bellow the neck, in the empty space due to the spineless character. It connect directly to the part of the brain that is used to take decisions (since it made by Microsoft, by buying this product, you sign a contract that oblige you to share everything like your soul with the corporation). He started to regain confidence.

History Of Chris Frame 4

2006-10-10T14:05:00.002-04:00

His4,
originally uploaded by cow03.

Indeed, it worked. He was gaining so much confidence that he started an audatious company : "Phuture". An interstellar photocopier machine reseller. He also recplaced his name with a more appealing one, he's now know as Chris C.

History Of Chris Frame 5

2006-10-10T14:04:00.000-04:00

His5,
originally uploaded by cow03.

From now on, he started to live his dream life. He left the virtual world because of this controller and now he live surrounded by women, by lot of cars, and, for the first time in his life, real adventures.
Thanks Microsoft for giving Chris real Liberty©.

Concert in Toronto this weekend!!!!!

2006-10-02T14:30:00.000-04:00

Yikes!!! What a great concert : ). I've been traveling to Toronto this weekend to attend to Play! a Video Game Symphony !
They've been playing orchestrated arrangements of the music from the composers Nobuo Uematsu (FF Series), Yasunori Mitsuda (Chrono Cross/Trigger), Koji Kondo (Super Mario Bros/Zelda), Takenobu Mitsuyoshi (Shenmue), Masato Nakamura (Sonic the Hedgehog), Hikaru Utada & Yoko Shimomura (Kingdom Hearts), Tappy Iwase & Kazuki Muraoka (Metal Gear Solid), Jeremy Soule (Morrowind), Jason Hayes (World of Warcraft), Akira Yamaoka (Silent Hill 2), Michael Salvatori (Halo) and some more. The Orchestra was conducted by Arnie Roth.
Ok, I will give my opinion about this representation. It was great, I've paid 120$ for the tickets, that I bought about 6 months ago : ) and I still don't regret it. However, damn I hate American composers (not just American, let's say occidentals : P)!! I feel bad every time I say something like this : ). Like one of my friend who always says "You like it because it is Japanese", he's wrong (maybe not at 100% ; ) but he still be).

I will skip most of theory, a good reason of that is that I've never cared to learn it : ) so half of what I say is speculations and opinions, but I know it has something to do with history. Occidental music is based on rules that were influenced by the Catholic church. Some centuries ago, the religion even had prohibited the use of some chords because they were too sensual : P. Most of today's music follow these rules, even in pop music. Jazz I think is slightly different, but probably influenced too.

However, Japanese people seems to always adopt different culture to adapt it their way. Like their language who's been borrowed to Chinese and slightly modified. American culture is still "Japanese way" too in their country. I'm not talking about Japanese pop culture, because I don't know much about it, but Video Games music don't follow all these rules. Sorry if I generalize, but I am usually talking about Nobuo Uematsu, Yasunori Mitsuda and Takenobu Mitsuyoshi's work : ) (my favorites). Like they say in the program of the show, Nobuo Uematsu (the most famous video games composer I think) is a self-taught composer. As composers, they don't bother about the "ok, it MUST be like this" like in occidental culture, they do it because for them it's ok, they like it. For me it is more "Human" music, that has been created from the depth of someone's soul : ) following only the emotions and opinion of the composer. It is not preinvented music and reorganisation of what's been already composed. I've played a lot of Japanese video games music on my piano, and it is pain to analyse : ). Not all of them, but I must admit, they know how to use (sorry, I'm not sure of the exact word in English) the tensions inside the progression of the chords.

For the American video games music, it is pure classical music following the normal chords progressions, people can like it : ), but I don't. Usually I wouldn't talk only about classical music, but since the show was about it : P,... Japanese video games music and 70s progressive rock are the only two music style I know that follow complex chords progression, but still enjoyable : ).

The reason why I like music, it is because it is something that cannot be completely understood. If you want to compose real complex music, you can't just think it, you really have to feel it. For me it is the most human form of art, because it is so absurd : ).

Maybe I'll change most of the sentences, but for now I'll stop there : P. Still, you can take time to post somments, I like people to go on my blog : P.

Art definition : )

2006-10-02T13:18:00.000-04:00

I've posted this entry for myself, to see how my definition will change through my semester, or years in Concordia : P.
For me art is simple. It is a human representation of a part of life.
You can comment it if you want : ).

My Cart 251 Flash Project

2006-10-02T08:46:00.001-04:00

cool,
originally uploaded by cow03.

Just an image to see what I wanted to do with my Flash project. To see what I've done for now about it, hybrid.concordia.ca/~cow03/.

Please, give me music!!!!!! : )

2006-09-26T22:05:00.000-04:00

Hi everybody!!!!! Please, post mp3 in my mp3 player. I'm sure that you have a lot of great music to make me discover : ). I'm getting tired to always listen to my stuff!!! And since it is the program which I have a lot more in common with the people; it's obvious that you have something I don't know but I can like!!!
Thanks!

Grandpa Rocks!!!

2006-09-20T16:37:00.001-04:00

Grandpa Rocks!!!,
originally uploaded by cow03.

There is a montage made for the class CART 251. Unfortunately, I can't give credits to people who've done the originals photographies, but ask for any element and I'll find it is from whom.

Collage - 32 greater than 12

2006-09-18T21:41:00.001-04:00

32Greater12,
originally uploaded by cow03.

The main idea was "Is really the browning gold_32 greater than 12_years old boy life ?".

Collage - I want to fly

2006-09-18T21:39:00.001-04:00

WantFly,
originally uploaded by cow03.

My favorite : ). The crow represent the people from United States (flag) who have real liberty (they can fly), governement and companies. With his ear, he can notice people who are happy (his belly), so he can interfere on time. The woman, representing population, have been told that her liberty is dangerous and she can't afford it (wings of knives) by the crow.

Collage - Anger

2006-09-18T21:31:00.001-04:00

Anger,
originally uploaded by cow03.

When you are angry,.... you concentrate all your energy to hate completely what made you angry, son you can't focus on anything else.

Collage - Happy

2006-09-18T21:30:00.001-04:00

Happy,
originally uploaded by cow03.

People living such innocence to believe in god and to shop to find a short period of happiness and living without asking themselves questions is a kind of happiness, no?

Collage - Melancholy

2006-09-18T21:25:00.001-04:00

Melancholy,
originally uploaded by cow03.

Well, not as I wanted, but the message is still there. I wanted to create a black but detailed landscape : P because in deep sadness, everything looks black.

Collage - Autoportrait

2006-09-18T21:23:00.001-04:00

Autoportrait,
originally uploaded by cow03.

This is not me : ) it is my story : ). From 15 years old to 21,... starting from really religious environement, passing by underground one up to the black line,.... very empty period, and sad : ). Then I had a new start, and now I got my own colors.

Collage - Hungry

2006-09-18T21:19:00.001-04:00

Hungry,
originally uploaded by cow03.

: ) The big yellow creature is the only one to eat, so all the other ones are Hungry!... no it doesn't represent that some people don't share : )

Collage - Monkey

2006-09-18T21:16:00.001-04:00

Monkey,
originally uploaded by cow03.

Well, I admit that the meaning is far : ),..... Monkey for me meant a lack of humanity,... so I represented a gun made with natural textures.

My favorite kind of art!!

2006-09-12T11:29:00.000-04:00

My passion is music. I like a lot of things, but I prefer complicated music. I mean complex chords progression and progressing rhythms, Drum n' Bass isn't included : P.
Actually I have two favorite kind of music, Progressive rock, and Video Games music : ).
In progressive rock, my two favorites are Genesis (70s) and Camel (70s).
In Video Games, anything that is composed by Yasunori Mitsuda (Hako no Niwa) or Nobuo Uematsu (FF9).
For the rest, movies, paintings,... what I like the most is anything that I'm not able to understand : ). Sometimes I think too much, and when my brain freeze for 3 seconds because it doesn't understand, I'm really enjoying it : ).

Note about myself : )

2006-09-12T11:16:00.000-04:00

Ok,... now that you have easy access to my blog : ), you have to keep something in mind about me. I REALLY HATE ART CRITICS!!!!! For me there is only one rule for good critics, the one made knowing the intent of the artist of creating his piece. You can't decide if a piece is beautiful or ugly if you don't know the deep meaning of it's creation, if you do, it is only a personal opinion for yourself following stupid rules of aestheticism, not a constructive critic.

That doesn't mean you can't critic what I'm doing, but if I find your critic senseless, I won't pay attention of what you've said : ).