99 rooms and Stephen Kishel
2005-07-14 20:30:38 ET

I did not see much of beauty in the course of my day, which was dominated by life-force-sucking flourescent lights, napping, and fast food.

I did however look for some things online. I will soon be undertaking metal sculpture and I fully aspire to be like this artist: http://www.stephenkishel.com/Gallery.asp
My favorite of his sculptures:

In my long day at "work" Tuesday I came across the most beautiful project: http://99rooms.com/
You should certainly visit this page. It's an interactive mixed media wonder done by a team of German artists. I can't get enough of this surreality. Please tell me what you think of this.
My favorite rooms: 54 and 56

[On an annoying technical note--can anyone tell me how to resize the file size of a picture? For instance, if a picture is 400K, how can I make it 100K so that SK will allow an upload?]


2005-07-14 20:40:36 ET

Resizing it, or hosting it on a different server that allows larger files.

2005-07-14 22:50:58 ET

or you can send it to someone like me who can resize it in photoshop and send it back to ye

2005-07-16 01:58:55 ET

Why aspire to emulate an established artist? That's not how art happens.

2005-07-17 01:40:12 ET

Ryko--I don't wish to "emulate" him, except perhaps in his wonderful craftspersonship. I did a search for "abstract metal sculpture" and his name came up. When I clicked I said, "Wow, this is very similar to the ideas I've sketched."

And, I'm not even sure I fully agree with you. Art does not exist in a void. Good writers are good readers, for instance. You do necessarily and inevitably hone your skills with a little bit of emulation and inspiration combined, especially when you're starting out in a new genre. You might base your work on a famous painting or adapt a favorite story into a screenplay instead of making your own plot for instance; these methods help to learn techniques and take things one thing at a time, making your own work all the better in the end.

2005-07-17 14:35:13 ET

When someone starts a new genre, they're doing something unique. If that was not the case, we can presume it not to be an original genre. Naturally, the creators have sensed something before, and are thus influenced by something. Inspired, even. However, The Velvet Underground did not sit around playing Beatles' covers.

2005-07-21 10:12:36 ET

I disagree, Ryko, even some of the most original bands started with covers... Joy division used ot cover The Velvet Underground, Psychic TV has covered the Beach Boys, Bauhaus covered Eno and Bowie... covers are a homage, and often a way to hone your craft.

2005-07-22 07:03:09 ET

Thank you doktor. I absolutely agree. That's what I was *trying* to say in my first reply.

2005-07-22 07:08:49 ET

Azmodan--thank you for the offer. Xianthe turned me on to Irfanview and it's taken care of my problems.

2005-07-22 15:35:48 ET

Dammit, do you people even fucking read? Ian Curtis didn't "fully aspire" to be Lou Reed, he just respected him as an artist and was influenced by him. Joy Division was unique, and they were influenced by The Velvet Underground. Joy Division didn't try to be like The Velvet Underground. "Why aspire to emulate an established artist? That's not how art happens." Joy Division didn't aspire to emulate The Velvet Underground. They fucking didn't. I'm leaving this conversation and probably this community again. I forgot how stupid everyone here was.

2005-07-22 17:23:58 ET

What's stupid is taking two words off of a stranger's site and running with them and using foul language and getting belligerent when others are attempting a civil debate. Glad to see you go.

2005-07-23 05:01:18 ET

I wonder what sort of wood the stick up that guy's ass is? Is it birch or pine?

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