Expectations of a neophyte..

It is the end the of a year as well of another college semester, a persuasive one that taught me diverse lessons and that took me into paths that I didn’t expected. My overview of the whole Fall 09 is quite diverse. I got inspired by some classes, and disappointed by others. In the case of Media in Digital Age, I was quite motivated. I choose this course, for I wanted to taste the area of media, rather than the film one, However, throughout the semester I was much more enthusiastic about the latter one. Today, I’m yearning to make a deeper exploration on film and the techniques within this area.

When I began the course, I was a total neophyte about every aspect of filming. I choose the class because of this simple reason; I was just expecting to learn something, that whatever it would be, it would be new for me. So, today I can say I got more than what I expected. I learned basic tools that encouraged me to continue discovering more on this area. As a combined-media artist, the aspect of video art as well as installation is of supreme importance to me. Therefore, I’m glad I had the chance to learn basic elements of how to use a camera and the technicalities about using it. Moreover, I’m quite delighted with another simple, yet basic aspect of filming, the use of lights. Next semester I will be constructing light-based installation that will merge both aspects of linguistics and of lightning. I’m positive that what I learnt in Media in Digital Age will help in pursuing this project.

Design: -Hecho En México-

The design I choose is the logo used to classify products made in Mexico. Its simplicity in colors and forms attracts my sight, and my background of Mexico’s history permits me to identify elements within its context. From a formal analysis, it is a bicolor design, which speaks about its essence, a functional purpose. It is a design to advertise Mexican products, yet to tag for exportation as well. Moreover, this symbol is used either printed in Mexican goods, or as a sticker. Continuing with the formal analysis, it is framed with a single color, white, which creates the contour that plays with the same color of the typography and also present in figure in the center. The background is black, which makes a strong contrast, permitting the sight of the spectator to focus in the letters and the figure. The figure in the center is an eagle in profile pointing left or right. This bird depicts one of the three official symbols of the country. Furthermore, it has a reminiscence of the Aztec empire. Moreover, the three forms creating the neck of the eagle, are an abstraction of the trinity present in a second official symbol of Mexico, the flag, a three color one. Finally, the letters Hecho En México, are written in Spanish, for that is the official language of this country. This letters are placed in the center giving a balanced composition to the whole design.

Documentary: Derrida

The documentary begins with a male voice in French. This is the tone of Jacques Derrida, the French philosopher, father of deconstructionism, who opens the film by explaining his notion of “L’arriver”. As the sound projects the viewers, a handheld pan medium shot made from an automobile shoots the urban landscape of Paris including some Sienna scenes. These last shots of the river have a shallow depth of field. The overall introductory shot has no main object in focus, so the director lets the audience concentrate in the essence of the shot, the sound, what is being said, the words of the philosopher.

Then, there is a cut, and in the next shot Derrida appears in his house. This is a handheld track medium shot. He walks around his home, and then there is another cut. This pattern of tracking him in with a handheld medium shot is repeated all along the documentary. Within this “pursuing” of Jacques Derrida daily life movements, there are intervals with segments of lectures and interviews that he gave during the time the movie was created. For the lectures there is always a long shot done from a still handheld with a normal angle, zooming in and zooming out, as well as a profile medium shot done with a tripod (this doesn’t zoom in and zoom out). They constantly interchange these shots as Derrida speaks. For the interviews, there is always a medium shot done from a tripod with a high angle.

Museum's Visit

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