Vanish Raindrops While Driving?

This article from Pop Sci claims that raindrop disappearing headlights seem like a "major safety improvement from windshield wipers and a prayer."  Though excited upon first spotting this, I can't say that I am completely convinced now.  In this video the difference these headlights make does not appear to be very significant.

Too Much Technology?

Author Gail Blanke writes this in her book, Throw Out Fifty Things:

"We're constantly bombarded from every direction by flying debris in another form: the news, the media.  On television, on the radio, on our cell phones, online, and in the air, we're deluged with what too often turns out to be life marble--garbage might be a better word: all the stuff that's gone wrong in the world, gone wrong in ourselves, gone wrong in our lives.  Or could go wrong.  Oh, I'm not saying we don't need to be informed.  We do.  We're citizens of a planet on the move, and we must know what needs to be done to keep it spinning forward.  But we can't move forward, we can't move at all, if we're locked inside a block of marble, largely of our own making." (written in reference to Michelangelo's statue of David)

Flying debris... I thought this to be an interesting take on current technology, social media, and all that we have easily accessible at out finger tips.  Does it really enhance our lives, or does it actually enhance complication in our lives?

Questioning Installation Ideas

Mary Stewart lists a handful of valuable key questions* to ask when it comes to thinking up an installation art piece.  If I create an installation in the future, I will certainly consider answers to the following:

• What ideas do you most want to express? What emotions do you most want to evoke?
• What is the advantage of a confined space as opposed to an expansive space?
• How much lighting is needed, and what is the most appropriate light source?
• What sounds will you provide? What sounds can be generated by the audience?
• How can you invite viewers into your artwork? What will they discover? What might they know on leaving that they didn't know on entering?
• Will interaction among viewers or between the viewers and the artwork expand meaning or heighten emotion?

*Found on p. 360 of Launching the Imagination

3D Printers Enter the Music Scene

So we've heard of 3D printing.  But, have we heard of 3D printers being used to play music? Rickard Dahlstrand explores alternate uses for the 3D printer, and as a result of generating a tune with the printer, found a new form of printed music.  So not only does the printer play music, it prints music (just not in the "notes on a staff" way we are used to seeing). I find this...incredible.  Take a look at this video and read more if you are so inclined.

Best Thing About Birthdays

For me, the best thing about birthdays is a renewed perspective. On that day everything is beautiful, everything is happy, and everything is fun. Almost everything at least. What does this have to do with art or anything of that sort? Well, a lot. If I lived one day a week with that same birthday perspective, just think how much more opportunity for inspiration would abound in my life! That's got to be a goal. There is beauty and inspiration in every single day. Don't just robotically (that's not a word) navigate the daily grind, but rather feel the rhythm as you walk your routine path. Make new music with each day as you take in every color, every opportunity, every tidbit of inspiration around you.

Carrie Mae Weems

I so appreciate the opportunity to take in Carrie Mae Weems' exhibit at the Art Museum in Portland, the same city where she was born and raised.  My felt connection with Carrie Mae Weems goes beyond nearly sharing the same birthday and middle name.  I identify with the way she uses lyrics and text to tell her story, to make a point, and to provoke thought.  For this reason her work spoke to me more than many others I've seen.  Two of my favorites of her bodies of work are The Kitchen Table Series (1990) and From Here I Saw What Happened and I Cried (1995-1996).

In The Kitchen Table Series, Weems communicates the story both as the subject and photographer.

Just Launched: Walgreens App to Print from Instagram

Well this is exciting!  For me anyway.  I've been curious about easy ways to print from Instagram.  I enjoy making my own prints on textured paper, but that is much more time consuming than simply printing straight from my phone.  Yes, there are apps that offer print services specifically for Instagram-sized photos, but then they have to be shipped, etc.  A mere minutes ago, I was notified that Walgreens now offers a "new and noteworthy" app: Print From Instagram.  You can bet that I will definitely be trying this out.  These prints are 4x4 inches and will be ready for pick up in about an hour at your/my local Walgreens.

Hmm, what to print...

@estherflatau

Not So Scary

Just want to take a moment to say that web design is not as scary as I thought it might be.  I am totally enjoying the opportunity to work with Dreamweaver--makes it a breeze!  This is opening a whole world for me.  So excited!

Now brainstorming layouts and searching for inspiration....
I like something like this for a home page, like a simple directory.
Or this is similar, except in a different fashion with a beautiful photo filling the page.
I also really like the layout of this lovely sight.

Ideas, ideas.