Fractals

A definition of a fractal from wikipedia:

A fractal is "a rough or fragmented geometric shape that can be split into parts, each of which is (at least approximately) a reduced-size copy of the whole,"a property called self-similarity.

In an age of highly proliferated and ever changing technology, the means to produce art are great. Add to that a "Post-Modern" sensibility of what can be art, (for better or for worse) a lot approaches to art making are made possible.

Are fractals art?

Benoît Mandelbrot (20 November 1924 – 14 October 2010) was a mathematician who coined the term fractal in 1975 for shapes that appear similar at all levels of magnification. Fractals appear in all forms of nature, from the flower, to clouds, to a river delta. And fractals are infinitely long and complex, constantly twisting in upon itself.

While the images are not composed by an artist per se, the initial conditions are set and ran through the formula "Z = z² +c" (also created by Mandelbrot), creating spectacular images reminiscent of intricate patterns in folk art or even psychedelic art.

In the end, the more we discover, the greater our tools become, the more we have to change the definition of what art is. Is it fractals?

Great design is serious (not solemn): A reaction

In class, we were shown this talk by famous designer and partner at Pentagram, an equally famous client design firm, Paula Scher. The basic premise is that the designer's life is composed of quick growth and punctuated by growing plateaus of mediocrity into oblivion. Kind of a downer. She goes on to say that this can only be combated by attempting things you know nothing about, even then, eventually you begin to draw your own conclusion and the cycle starts again.

It made me think of my own art, there were strong parallels to what she described and what I am going through as an artist. I can honestly say I'm a "better" (being a relative term) than I was when I started. Which each new drawing I learn something new, I used to search volumes of books searching for answers, now I stumble over them. Even though I don't see the plateau, I'm not satisfied and there's a lot I don't know and can't do, but I fear that Ms.Scher was right. What if one day the well dries up?

I remember the words of a teacher whom I respect, "analyzation is paralyzation". I think I butchered the actual words, but the thought helps.

Harry Patridge

NSFW

I first came across British independent animator, Harry Partridge's work with his Saturday Morning Watchman (Look it up). Since then I'm an avid subscriber to his youtube account, I believe he also does work for the BBC network.

His Youtube

His DeviantArt

Sterling Hundley

www.sterlinghundley.com

The website of an illustrator I admire. he has a book, "Blue Collar / White Collar",showcasing his commercial and fine art work, peruse his work and support the artist!

This is one of my favorite images of his, it reminds me of the orientalist tradition, with it's intricate patterns and romantic imagery.

Scientific Illustrations

http://scienceillustration.mypage.ru/

A blog I discovered from through word of mouth, the website is entirely in russian save for the titles, but if you'd like to see russian sci-fi illustrations from the 1960s-70s it's a pretty good source.

Interspectacular

http://www.interspectacular.com/

An animation and design company own and operated by Luis Blanco and Michael Uman. I had the pleasure of visiting their studio today. They do everything from identity development to character design. Their work on the Comedy Central branding was spectacular, and they've recently completed branding for the BET network. Visit their website and check out the massive amounts of work they've put in.

PAUL RAND and The IBM logo

It's a pretty solid logo, timeless and beautiful. Even for a non designer like me (sort of), I can appreciate the power inherent to the trademark. The strong geometric shapes are simple and iconic, inherent to the "renaissance" of visual systems development going on through the latter half of the 20th century. Championed by many designers, including this man:

Paul Rand, while not a household name, nearly everyone in america has seen his work. From Westinghouse, to ABC, and (I was surprised to find) Enron as well. Of all his design though, I think the IBM design stands head over heels of the rest. It's just so solid, and compared to the outline IBM trademark, the "eight bars" is much more visually consistent.

Character Design

Yesterday, I linked to "The Art Department", where artist share advise and outlooks with each other.

Today I want to share with you their sister site "Character Design". It's composed of interviews with professional illustrators and other artist working in the entertainment field. A good read, and you can submit you portfolio website, and if they like your work you can be interviewed, free exposure!

Their Website

The Art Center

"The Art Center" is a blog I follow dedicated to (in their words) "Sharing Ideas and tips from Artist to Artist". It's always inspirational and informative too. If you're ever stuck in a rut creative, or if there is a particular problem you need solved, spend a few minutes browsing this blog. It'll be time well spent.

Their Website

Mike Corriero

Mike Corriero is a concept artist and illustrator, specializing in the the gaming and film industries.

His main website

His Blog

Sita Sings the Blues

Sita Sings the Blues is an award winning independent feature length animation by Nina Paley.

The film it's self combines an adaptation of the epic Indian story of Ramayana, a creation story, with memoir from the life of Paley herself. It's available for download or viewing from this collection of websites.

Ryan Woodword, Animator

Thought of You from Ryan J Woodward on Vimeo.

A short film by animator, concept artist and story board artist, Ryan Woodword.

His website: The Art of Ryan Woodward

Paul Robeson

It's not visual, but it is art. Oh boy, is it art. I really like his voice.

Massimo Carnevale

http://sketchesnatched.blogspot.com

The website of the above artist, The Italian Comics artist Massimo Carnevale. He paints scenes and characters from movies from all over the world, and updates nearly daily. It's fun to wake up and see if there's anything new.

Oh, and go see Rango, I've yet to, but I here it's good.

Blacksad

My first introduction into comics was with Archie's "Sonic the Hedgehog", so you could say I was always enamored with the "Funny Animal" tradition, anthropomorphic, of comics and animation. Mickey Mouse, Bugs Bunny, Rodger Rabbit, big influence on my childhood. But I grew older and out of it.

Then, somewhat recently after a semester abroad I came across my love for funny animals again. I picked a volume of Blacksad.

The creators, writer Juan Díaz Canales and artist Juanjo Guarnido, are both spanish, but the

story originally was published in French, later translated into Spanish, and recently Dark Horse has put out a english translation (with I'll be picking up whenever I find it). But even

with my french edition, the storytelling is so clear and engaging I can simply "read" the pictures.

It's a great comic and if you ever have the chance of getting you hands on a volume (you can start from anywhere), I highly recommend it.

The Night of All Fears

A one minute short film done for the "B-Movie" challenge over at CGsociety about a year ago. I you have already seen it, it's a treat. The short was directed by Cyril Corallo and a group from the French studio, Rheo freelancers association.

The Night Of all Fears, CGsociety challenge. from Corallo Cyril on Vimeo.

S.Britt

I literally squealed a bit the first time I saw this image.

http://www.sbritt.com/

An illustrator who combines draughtsmanship (I think) with the playful imagery of the old board games and pop up books that gather dust in the attic. Check out his work!

Vik Muniz's "Waste Land"

I just got done watching Vik Muniz's 2010 documentary "Waste Land", it was pretty amazing watching this man's journey from Brazil to Brooklyn and back again. A synopsis from the official website:

Filmed over nearly three years, WASTE LAND follows renowned artist Vik Muniz as he journeys from his home base in Brooklyn to his native Brazil and the world's largest garbage dump, Jardim Gramacho, located on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro. There he photographs an eclectic band of “catadores”—self-designated pickers of recyclable materials. Muniz’s initial objective was to “paint” the catadores with garbage. However, his collaboration with these inspiring characters as they recreate photographic images of themselves out of garbage reveals both the dignity and despair of the catadores as they begin to re-imagine their lives. Director Lucy Walker (DEVIL’S PLAYGROUND, BLINDSIGHT and COUNTDOWN TO ZERO) and co-directors João Jardim and Karen Harley have great access to the entire process and, in the end, offer stirring evidence of the transformative power of art and the alchemy of the human spirit.

I highly recommend it, it's a great watch about a great artist and his roots.