Visual Culture: Advertising Reality

I know alot of you have seen these images before but i think they are very applicable to this course and have alot to say about visual culture.
These Benneton Ads have been on the edge of society for quite some time now but still shock the viewer and have alot to say with their advertisments through the use of photography. The power of these images in interesting once its is now related to a fashion advertisment. The final image is a joke for bush, not created by benneton but has the same intrest at heart, to bring attention to conflict through visual culture.
Any thoughts????

-marnie leah

WOW! cant wait! All of this for apperance?!?! Seems like a good idea at the time i suppose! ..what now???

-marnie leah

blogs suck

So-called "bloggers" are just "writers". I am a writer. You might think I am a bad writer, or even a terrible writer. My wife thinks I am a good writer but she may not be entirely objective. Sometimes when I write I use simplified content-management software often referred to as "blogware". I wrote a draft of this post on a legal pad. I am now typing my draft into Microsoft Word to edit my post and spell-check it. Later I will copy and paste the text into Movable Type and publish it on my web site, TheNationalDebate.com. During this process am I also a "paperer"? or a "Worder"? If I print my Word document and fax it to Timbuktu am I a "faxer". Why then, when my writing appears on my web site, am I a "blogger". Since when does the tool I use to express my thoughts define me? To quote the always articulate Oliver Willis, "that's stupid".

i found this quote on the internet, under blogs suck or something like that, all you have to do is google why bloggs suck and you get just about as many links as you would to peoples actual bloggs, now i thought that this might be a humerous antidote. in order to cheer up all non bloggers after the semester is over, there are others out there, keep believing blogging is not the answer.

ali christensen

Inspiring Design Web Sites

On a side note, if you ever have a creative block or need inspiration here are some web sites to check out.

www.swissmiss.typepad.com/weblog/designers_i_like/index.html
www.hammerpress.net
www.paprika.com
www.aestheticapparatus.com

ouchi

Appropriation

Since we are talking about appropriation, here are some well known American visual artists from the seventies who used appropriation within their art.
Check them out: Robert Longo, Sherrie Levine and Cindy Sherman.

Ouchi

Sampling Culture and Appropriation

http://www.mcasd.org/soundwaves/
-here’s an art show that’s on right now in L.A. ‘SOUNDWAVES: The Art of Sampling’ features artists who appropriate or use found sound. This is a major show for artists who discuss this culture.

SOUNDWAVES: THE ART OF SAMPLING

MCASD LA JOLLA
SEPTEMBER 23, 2007 THROUGH DECEMBER 30, 2007
Selections on view through May 4, 2008

"Sound has played a significant role in the development of modern and contemporary art, from the visual references of Wassily Kandinsky and Piet Mondrian in the early 20th-century to the aural experimentations of Nam June Paik and John Cage in the 1960s.

Soundwaves: The Art of Sampling looks at a specifically late 20th-century manifestation of the conjunction of art and sound, and features artists in MCASD’s collection, such as Tim Bavington, Celeste Boursier-Mougenot, Sean Duffy, Julio Cesar Morales, Dario Robleto, and Steve Roden, who appropriate the musical process of sampling in their work, either through the incorporation of found sound or through visual and material references."


http://www.the-breaks.com/
-a massive archive of music that has been sampled by contemporary artists.
Here’s a humble list of people that used one short drum break from a James Brown song!

* "Funky Drummer" (Drums)
2 Live Crew - "Coolin'"
808 State - "Pacific 202"
A Tribe Called Quest - "Seperate / Together"
Above the Law - "Murder Rap"
Above the Law - "Untouchables"
Above the Law - "What Cha Can Prove"
Allison Williams - "Sleep Talk"
Awesome Dre - "Frankly Speaking"
Beastie Boys - "Shadrach"
Big Daddy Kane - "Mortal Combat"
Biz Markie - "Spring Again"
Black Rock & Ron - "Stop the World"
Breeze - "Great Big Freak"
BWP - "A Different Category"
Cash Money & Marvelous - "Drawers"
Choice MC - "Bad A-s Bitch"
Chubb Rock - "Bump the Floor"
Chubb Rock - "Talkin' Loud, Ain't Sayin' Jack"
Coldcut - "Say Kids, What Time is It?"
Compton's Most Wanted - "The Final Chapter"
Compton's Most Wanted - "Wanted"
Convicts - "I Like Boning"
CPO - "Flow to the Rhythm"
Criminal Nation - "I'm Rollin'"
Criminal Nation - "Insane"
Criminal Nation - "It's a Black Thing"
Criminal Nation - "The Right Crowd"
De la Soul - "Oodles of O's"
Deep Forest - "Deep Forest"
Depeche Mode - "My Joy"
Derek B - "Get Down"
Derek B - "Human Time Bomb"
Digable Planets - "Where I'm From"
DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince - "2 Damn Hype"
DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince - "Hip Hop Dancer's Theme"
DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince - "Jazzy's Groove"
DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince - "Magnificent Jazzy Jeff"
DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince - "Pump up the Bass"
DJ Mark the 45 King ft Lakim Shabazz - "When a Wise Man Speaks"
DJ Master T - "Wind Me Up"
DOC - "Let the Bass Go"
Domination - "Back at it Again"
Dr. Dre - "Let Me Ride"
Eazy-E - "We Want Eazy"
Enigma - "Carly's Song"
Eric B and Rakim - "Lyrics of Fury"
Eric B and Rakim - "Relax with Pep"
Father MC - "Ain't it Funky"
Fine Young Cannibals - "I'm Not the Man I Used to Be"
Freddie Foxx - "F. F. is Here"
Fresh 4 - "Wishing on a Star"
GangStarr - "2 Deep"
George Michael - "Waiting for That Day/You Can't Always Get. . ."
Geto Boys - "Mind of a Lunatic"
Geto Boys - "Read These Nikes"
Goats - "TV Cops"
Gus Gus - "Purple"
Guy - "I Like"
Hard Knocks - "A Blow to the Head"
Heavy D - "Peaceful Journey"
Heavy D - "We Got Our Own Thang"
Hi-C - "Take a Ride"
HWA - "Trick is a Trick"
Ice Cube - "Endangered Species"
Ice Cube - "Jackin' for Beats"
Ice T - "I Ain't New Ta This"
Ice T - "Original Gangster"
Ice T - "Radio Suckers"
James Brown - "She Looks All Types A' Good"
Jaz - "The Originators"
Kid 'N Play - "Foreplay"
Kid 'N Play - "Slippin'"
Kid Sensation - "Emergency"
King Sun - "King Sun with the Sword"
Kool G Rap - "It's a Demo"
Kool G Rap - "The Butcher Shop"
Kool Moe Dee - "Bad, Bad, Bad"
Kool Moe Dee - "I'm Blowing Up"
Kool Moe Dee - "Knowledge is King"
Korn & the Dust Brothers - "Kick the P.A."
Kris Kross - "Jump"
Kris Kross - "Lil' Boys in Da Hood"
Kwame - "The Rhythm"
Lakim Shabazz - "Black is Back"
Leaders of the New School - "Sobb Story"
Leaders of the New School - "Teachers, Don't Teach Us Nonsense"
LL Cool J - "Boomin' System"
LL Cool J - "Fast Peg"
LL Cool J - "Mama Said Knock You Out"
LL Cool J - "Nitro"
LL Cool J - "Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?"
Low Profile - "Make Room for. . ."
Maestro Fresh Wes - "Let Your Backbone Slide"
Mantronix - "Fresh is the Word"
Mantronix ft Wondress - "Got to Have Your Love"
Marky Mark - "Good Vibrations"
Masters at Work - "Jus' a Lil' Dope"
MC Lyte - "Brooklyn"
MC Shan - "So Def"
MC Shan - "So Fresh"
MC Smooth - "Blow the Whistle"
Mellow Man Ace - "Hypest from Cypress"
Mellow Man Ace - "River Cubano"
Michel'le - "No More Lies"
Michie Mee - "Jamaican Funk Canadian Style"
Ministere Amer - "Traitres"
Mistress & DJ Madame E - "Hypergroove"
Mistress & DJ Madame E - "Show 'em How We Play"
MMG - "Only the Strong Survive"
Mobb Deep - "Flavor for the Non-Believes"
Nas - "Get Down"
Naughty by Nature - "Hot Potato"
Naughty by Nature - "Ready for Dem"
New Order - "Ruined in a Day"
Nikki D - "Freak Accident"
Nikki D - "Gotta up the Ante for the Panties"
Nine Inch Nails - "Piggy (Nothing Can Stop Me Now)"
No Face - "Half"
NWA - "Fuck tha Police"
NWA - "Quiet on tha Set"
P-Funk All Stars - "Dope Dogs"
Paperboy - "The Nine Yards"
Paris - "I Call Him Mad"
Paris - "On the Prowl"
Paris - "The Devil Made Me Do It"
Pete Rock & CL Smooth - "Go with the Flow"
Pharcyde - "Officer"
Prince - "Gangster Glam"
Prince - "Gett Off"
Prince - "My Name is Prince"
Prince Johnny C - "Comin' to Get Ya"
Prince Johnny C - "Kevey Kev is a Dancer with Soul"
Public Enemy - "Bring the Noise"
Public Enemy - "Bring the Noise"
Public Enemy - "Fight the Power"
Public Enemy - "Hazy Shade of Criminal"
Public Enemy - "Rebel Without a Pause"
Public Enemy - "She Watch Channel Zero"
Public Enemy - "Terminator X to the Edge of Panic"
Public Enemy - "The Enemy Assault Vehicle Mixx"
Queen - "We Are the Champions"
Redman - "Rated R"
Roxanne Shante - "Have a Nice Day"
Run-DMC - "Back from Hell"
Run-DMC - "Beats to the Rhyme"
Run-DMC - "Run's House"
Run-DMC - "Word is Born"
Salt-N-Pepa - "Let the Rhythm Run"
Scarface - "Born Killer"
Sinead O'Connor - "I Am Stretched on Your Grave"
Sir Mix-A-Lot - "No Holds Barred"
Slayer & Atari Teenage Riot - "No Remorse (I Wanna Die)"
Slick Rick - "The Moment I Feared"
Smooth Ice - "I'm Coming"
Smooth Ice - "Without a Pause"
Sons of Bazerk - "One Time for the Rebel"
South Central Cartel - "Neighborhood Jacka"
Stetsasonic - "DBC Let the Music Play"
Stetsasonic - "Sally"
Stetsasonic - "Speaking of a Girl Named Suzy"
Stetsasonic - "The Hip Hop Band"
Stop the Violence Movement - "Self-Destruction"
Style - "Victim to the Vinyl"
Sublime - "Scarlet Begonias"
Super Lover Cee & Casanova Rud - "Do the James"
Super Lover Cee & Casanova Rud - "Let the Drummer Get Ill"
Sweet T - "My Beat"
Tim Dog - "Goin Wild in the Penile"
Tim Dog - "Low Down Nigga"
TLC - "Shock Dat Monkey"
True Mathematics - "For the Lover in You"
Tung Twista - "No Peace Sign"
Tupac ft Richie Rich - "Lie to Kick It"
Ultramagnetic MCs - "Give the Drummer Some"
Ultramagnetic MCs - "Moe Love on the One & Two"
Vanilla Ice - "Stop That Train"
Wagon Christ - "Filthy Drummer"
WC & the Maad Circle - "Ghetto Serenade"
Yomo & Maulkie - "Mockingbird"
YZ - "Return of the Holy One"
Z-Trip - "Rockstar"
Z-Trip - "Rockstar 2"

Posted by Adrian Vermette

Speaking of Analog Nostalgia

If you’re interested in analog check out these sites:

http://www.tapedeck.org/index.php
-I miss making real mixtapes and little artworks for them, I wish I still kept them…
“Tapedeck.org is a project of neckcns.com, built to showcase the amazing beauty and (sometimes) weirdness found in the designs of the common audio tape cassette. There's an amazing range of designs, starting from the early 60's functional cassette designs, moving through the colourful playfulness of the 70's audio tapes to amazing shape variations during the 80's and 90's. We hope you enjoy these tapes as much as we do!”

http://www.moogmusic.com/
-everything you wanted to know about Bob Moog and his revolution in the creation of the Moog synthesizer...there's a documentary dvd that's interesting as well

http://www.mu-tron.org/
-when Mutron created the Phase and Envelope Filter, they were all over the 70’s funk and disco sound. These types of effects processing are now inseparable from contemporary urban music.

http://www.vintagesynth.com/
-very informative if you are into analog synths
“The Vintage Synth Explorer was established back in 1996 in order to provide a fast and easy way to learn about vintage analog and digital synthesizers. This has grown to include modern analog emulators, software synths, plug-ins, and other new synthesizers and samplers. Here you will find detailed descriptions and reviews, pictures, audio samples, technical specifications, famous users, patch files, manuals, links and more - for over 600 instruments! The Vintage Synth Explorer is here to help you learn more about synthesizers and to find the one that's right for you.”

Adrian Vermette

Kogal. Ganguro, Yamanba

For those who haven't seen this strange fashion phenomenon, that had it's peak around 2000, but still exists today.. here you go. I thought I'd make mention of this topic to continue on the theme of one culture appropriating a style or look from another (in this case, taking it to extreme lengths). In this case, it's Japanese youth going against the traditional or societal norm of what is considered beautiful with Japanese woman.

Given the previous post below, I think it's interesting to explore some of the lengths that individuals will go to make themselves "look better", whether with plastic surgery or with other body modifications.

Kogal - derived from kogyaru: "small/child girl"



Ganguro - disputed translation: "blackface" or "exceptionally dark"



Yamanba - rough translation: "mountain hag" or "mountain witch"



A short little feature on all three categories.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyK66UHcrY4

-Ed K

Scalpel Slaves

In my research on Plastic Surgery, I came across some rather unsettling images of woman who have become 'scalpel slaves'.
-Michelle L.

TED: Ideas Worth Spreading

In my last post I mentioned a TED video by Stefan Sagmeister -- assuming that everyone had heard of TED before. My bad.

TED : Ideas Worth Spreading

TED is a group of invite-only individuals that get together annually to spread their most important ideas -- each in an 18 minute talk. The website archives the majority of lectures and presentations in video format where you can view them for free.

Not all of the videos are related to visual culture, but a fair amount of them are. All of the talks are worth checking out though.

- Marc R.

On an unrelated sidenote, here is a great little spot a friend showed me:

An Advertisement for W-...

Yes, Design can make you Happy.

Here is a great TED talk that I came across featuring one of my favorite thinkers/designers; Stefan Sagmeister.

Watch the Video Here

He is also releasing a book in the new year titled Things I Have Learned in My Life, So Far.

Some of these things include:

Helping other people helps me.
Having guts always works out for me.
Thinking that life will be better in the future is stupid, I have to live now.
Organizing a charity group is surprisingly easy.
Being not truthful always works against me.
Everything I do always comes back to me.
Assuming is stifling.
Drugs feel great in the beginning and become a drag later on.
Over time I get used to everything and start taking it for granted.
Money does not make me happy.
Traveling alone is helpful for a new perspective on life.
Keeping a diary supports personal development.
Trying to look good limits my life.
Material luxuries are best enjoyed in small doses.
Worrying solves nothing.
Complaining solves nothing. Either act or forget.
Actually doing the things I set out to do increases my satisfaction.
Everybody thinks they are right.
If I want to explore a new direction professionally, it is helpful to try it out for myself first.
Low expectations are a good strategy.
Everybody who is honest is interesting.

Make sure you check out the video. It's a little long -- but pretty great. Also, if you haven't heard of or seen the work of Stefan Sagmeister before I encourage you to take a look through his body of work.

- Marc R.

Orientalism

Here are a number photo examples of orientalism still existing to this day in our modern setting that were referred to in our discussion last week as being trivial or seemingly cheap, ie: Epcot Centre's World Pavillion (for those that would rather see parts of the "world" via Florida). One could argue that places like this are irrelevant and are without merit given the advent of modern transportation allowing for individuals to actually see foreign countries first-hand ( though obviously, not everyone has the means or desire to visit ). Clearly, world exhibits found at Epcot (and those of the 19th century) lack a number of integral elements found in the original places that they are trying to replicate; The people, sounds, smells, pace, culture and the realization that one is standing in amongst and looking at the genuine article in a destination halfway around the world, are all required for an untainted picture of a place no matter how close duplication may be to its original.

With Epcot and 19th century European exhibitions, one is looking at these exhibits created and viewed from a Western viewpoint. To be effective, the viewer needs to be taken out of this context and placed in a minority situation where they are surrounded entirely by the culture being viewed. It could seem that the Egyptians described in Mitchell's, "Orientalism and the Exhibitionary Order", had a much more comprehensive view of a European culture that built itself upon exhibition, so much that it inadvertently put itself on display for these visitors that were originally meant to be subject of study and spectacle for their hosts.

So I suppose the question is, what is the point of exhibition if one cannot grasp all these things for himself by actually being immersed in the original location rather than in the duplication? You can't really compare the two experiences at all or the knowledge attained by having this perception of where you actually are and where exhibition is attempting to transport you to. Now maybe, say if an entire country and its artifacts are lost forever, then the replication is some sort of incomplete record so that culture is not be lost forever, as unlikely as that is in most cases.

A few of the countries that are permanently exhibited:

Japan Pavillion


Norway Pavillion


...and oddly enough,

"The American Adventure", a duplication of old colonial architecture of the host nation in which Epcot is situated. Though it obviously is not considered foreign or "oriental" in context, I do find it curious that it is an example of a western country that is exhibiting itself in an unauthentic manner (in that it is purely for spectacle), putting itself up for exhibition for the sake of foreign tourists. I'd imagine that a visiting individual would find it much more relevant to visit a genuine heritage site with some sort of historical gravity and significance in American history.



For more examples: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epcot


In contrast, but not nearly to the same extent, we have Amemura or "America Town" in Osaka, Japan. This is more of an example of the appropriation of American pop culture beginning in the 70's that spawned a major centre of fashion trends, consumerism and novelty, rather than a meticulously replicated exhibit of America just for the sake of curiosity or education.




footage of Amemura: http://youtube.com/watch?v=xy_3akiv7Ys

Part of the reason why there is this kind of difference is due to the intention behind the duplication. In then Western world, Orientalism is more like an open window which allows people to see other cultures from a distance, to satisfy their curiosity, without having to change their own position in the physical and cultural context (without immersing themselves completely, a sense of reluctance if you will).

It's a different scenario in eastern world, especially in today's time. People admire the western lifestyle and don't mind adopting it for their own at the sake of losing their own cultural identity.

It would be tragic if established cultures lost the qualities and history that distinguished themselves from others. However, if we look at this kind of culture "emerging" through the long history of human beings, assimilation and change is inevitable.

In eastern philosophy, one of the factors that is constant is that everything is in flux and ever changing. To use a metaphor, culture is like a river, a constant flow of course change, build up and in turn, erosion is what keeps things fresh. It absorbs and flushes out what it needs and what useless to it.


-Ed Kwong, Tim Mack, Sean Bigham, Tyler Anderson, Shenghao Xi, Vivian Lee

i found the link for dave chapelles black white supremicist, but i didn't know how to leave it on the blog, enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6BSX18TDf0

marta

visual journal assignments

SOSC 200
Visual Journal Assignments - Visual Journal due Dec. 3/07

Assignment 1: Showing Seeing

In his essay “Showing Seeing: A critique of visual culture,” (in the Visual Culture Reader), WJT Mitchell describes an experiment he calls ‘showing seeing.” The problem is this: you are an ethnographer from a culture that has no concept of the visual field, or of visual culture (no familiarity with color, line, eye contact, cosmetics, fashion, facial expressions, mirrors, glasses, voyeurism, pornography, television, photography, painting, film, and other ‘visual media,’ etc…). Having spent a number of years in our culture, you are now returning to your own culture and are faced with the task of presenting the idea of ‘seeing’ to your fellow citizens.

In approximately 1 typed page, describe how you would ‘show seeing’ – how would you describe the visual field and its importance in our culture, to someone who had no concept of a ‘visual culture’? For the purposes of the assignment, you can assume your audience has been fitted with prosthetic optical devices that allow them to see you. What object, artifact, work of visual culture would you choose to support your argument? Why? Include any relevant images in your report.



Assignment 2: Exercise in Voyeurism

Conduct an experiment in voyeurism by going to a public space (the bar, the cinema, the mall, etc.), and exercise your own voyeuristic tendencies by actively looking at the public, noticing how they may or may not return your gaze. Or, conduct some observation of the nature of the gaze in any other way of your choosing; how do looking and the gaze operate in public space? Are some spaces more or less conducive to the gaze than others?
Reflect on your experiment and conclusions in approximately 1 page.



Assignment 3: Of Other Spaces

In “Of Other Spaces,” Michel Foucault describes what he terms “heterotopias”: real spaces where the typical hierarchical classifications of space – family, social, commercial, leisure, public, private – begin to break down. Such spaces, which include the prison, the hospital, the brothel, the cemetery, colonies, hotels, ships, trains, sacred spaces, and so on, are “in relation with all other sites,” but are also ‘different’ or ‘other’ sites, both within and outside of the social and spatial contexts in which they are found.

The BDGBLG interview with Michael Cook, “Drains of Canada,” describes a practice of urban archaeology, ‘draining.’ That is, explorations of the subterranean infrastructure of drainage systems, waterways, sewers and utility tunnels – “spaces that exist at the boundaries of modern control…debris left by economic transition, evidence of the transient nature of our place upon this earth.”

For your visual journal, complete one of the following assignments:

1. In approximately 1-2 pages, describe a space personally known to you. Using Foucault’s five principles of heterotopia, explain how this site is heterotopic: to what extent and in what ways does it conform to or deviate from his notions of heterotopia?

2. Undertake an urban exploration of your own. This can take any form (i.e., not necessarily draining). Attempt to find an ‘other’ space within (below, behind) the spatial fabric of the city. Discuss your experience/findings/conclusions in 1-2 pages.



Assignment 4: (Un)Natural Bodies

In our discussions of cosmetic (or ‘fashion’) surgery, body modification, and the body in general as a site of visual presentation and identity, we continue to come up against the idea of the ‘natural’ (or ‘normal’) body, its parameters and practices. Drawing on any combination of course readings and films, class discussion, popular visual culture, or personal experience, consider the value, or danger, in maintaining a concept of the ‘natural’ body against which other bodies might be measured. Is there such a thing as the natural body? What would this be? What might be gained (or lost) by abandoning this concept? Your reflection should be roughly 1 page, apart from any images you might include.



Assignment 5: Cultures on Display

Our readings on race and globalization brought up questions concerning the nature of displaying or exhibiting culture: from the use of specific cultural imagery in advertising, movies, and so on., to artists appropriating imagery or styles from specific cultures in their work (your own work?), to aspects of fashion and bodily ornament (tattoos taken from other cultures, haute couture borrowings from non-western fashion.), to the body and its markers (skin pigmentation, ‘racial’ or ‘ethnic’ bodily features) as a site of cultural display, to practices of collecting and display in museums, to the movement of cultural trends from one site to another (hip-hop moving from black urban culture to white suburban culture, etc.).

In approximately one page, examine one such case – be specific – and reflect on the ways in which it puts culture ‘on display,’ and how the context changes, or produces, meaning.

Bored on the bus? Nixon says Pong is the answer!

Keeping in theme with the website Marc posted, here are another two websites with some neat stuff. From designs and advertisements to just some cool and pretty innovative products, such as the Tetris and Pong Forever watch from Nixon. Got a nerdy brother asking for a Photonic Disruptor for Christmas? now you can get it for him... who knew?

The Cool Hunter
Oh Gizmo

- Tyler W

Walk on the Moon

I came across a great little website showcasing some super creative products with countless witty references to popular culture (phrases, places, etc).

Usually obsure and never cheap -- Check it out: ATYPYK

Make sure you read the captions to the products.

-Marc R.

Yet another post by Jeremy Jeresky

Tonights lecture Monday 19th was interesting in that the article we discussed talked about Fanon's relationship to a visible majority ( in this case a colonial superstructure ) and his relationship to himself. The gaze of the other subsequently caused him to look at himself as an object. This objectification shaped his identiy, which is something I have never had to deal with, but thnks to this reading, has given me a personal insight into a double or even triple reading of ones identity that many people in this world must cope with. I thought it was interesting how Fanon described the black mans identity and his experience as a construct within a oppositional binary to the white man. It is in this way that he will be percieved and perceive himself. One can only hope that humanity can get past this dicotomy regarding any race. But as this cultural opposition is situated primarilay on a basis of power, it remains a question of how long this dicotomy will remain with us, absolute power corrupts.

I was a little concerned with the nature of the images that we looked at tonight. It was interesting to see the origin of the visual discourse regarding how the west views other cultures. We looked at a lot of images from the 19th century, Delacroix, images of stereo scopes, Inges, advetisments from Pears (white mans burden), and others such as a 19th century print of the Columbus discovery. And while we looked at Star Trek and Alien queen imagery, we really only saw one example of artists who examine this discourse like Fred wilson. So while we examined the backwardness of 19th century imagery, I think we lingered on it for too long and it became more of a lighthearted survey. Its pretty easy to look at these images, given our place in time and judge them as ignorant, which they are. But it would have been interesting to examine statagies which contemporary artists use to add to this discourse. Yinka Shonibare is a prime example in that he even uses 19th century conventions pertaining to western art. In his Mr. and Mrs. Andrews Without Their Heads, the artist has restaged Gainsborough's famous painted portrait as a sculpture, but has decapitated the sitters, removed the landscape, and dressed the subjects in colorful "African" fabrics that themselves have complex colonial histories. The strategy implicit in this piece is one in which the symbolic order of the original painting is inverted. "This symbolic inversion illuminates and challenges the visual conventions that police social hierarchies". ( Curator, Richard Hill ) In other words, when power relations are flipped, we can gain insights into behaviors and stereo types that we may take to be natural are merely conventional.

3 min survey about fine art & graphic design

Stumbled across this while on Youtube, some interesting thoughts...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_DizMytyt8

Alex N

Gender, Sexuality and Embodiment

Posted by:

Brittany Lockie
Kara Marciniak
Marnie Leah
Michelle Langfeldt

THE BIOTECHNOLOGICAL REPRODUCTION OF GENDER

Laparoscopy:
Laparoscopy is defined as a surgery in which a fine, lighted tube is inserted
through an incision in the stomach to view the interior of the abdominal organs
or the female pelvic organs. The reason for laparoscopy is to detect health
problems such as cysts, adhesions, fibroids, and infection.
Mainly, Laparoscopy is a technique used on women's bodies. This is because it
to check for and treat female conditions such as endometriosis, ectopic
pregnancy, or pelvic inflammatory disease. Lapraroscopy can also be used to
repair hiatal and inguinal hernia, see whether cancer has spread, and remove
organs such as the gallblader, appendix, or uterus.
Laproscopy is done by a surgeon or a gynocologist. General Anesthesia is
commonly used
http://www.bchealthguide.org/kbase/topic/medtest/hw231905/descrip.htm
last updated September 26, 2006
Author: Carrie Henley, Jan Nissi, RN, BS
HealthWise
list on blog: http://www.laparoscopy.com/

Computer Tomography:
Computed tomography is an x-ray which takes cross-sectional pictures of interior
areas of the body. The computer can then organize these images into more
detailed pictures of organs, bones, and other tissues
Computed Tomography is a scan which passes over a person who is lying very still
on a table. Sometimes the patient is given a "dye" though the mouth, injected
into a vein, or enema before the x-ray is taken. This can highlight specific
areas to create a clearer picture. The procedure is not painful for the
patient other than the uncomfort from lying still in one position from fifteen
minutes to one hour. Computed tomography takes place in a hospital and does
not require an overnight stay. There are no complications beyond that of a
regular x-ray, and allergic reactions to the contrast dyes.
http://www.cancercare.org.cy/EN/public_information/early_detection/computed_tomology.html
2003, the Cyprus Association of Cancer Patients and Friends
CT SCAN down a human spine: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7HrhBMnQw8
___

When a person undergoes a sex change, how does this challenge the notion of ones true gender?

If medical technology can 'turn back the clock', how does this change ones real birth age (ie date of birth)? Will we eventually see a persons date of birth change if, medically, a doctor can turn back the clock?
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Cosmetic surgery and its effects it has on people.
More and more of the youth are getting plastic surgery in hopes to look like
there favorite stars. The numbers rise every year, instead of spending the
money on school, a car, a home, we constantly see teens use there money towards
looking a little more like “Brad Pit”. As this article shows us 335 000 teens
under the age of 18 in the US have gotten cosmetic surgery in 2003 compared to
its 306 000 in 2000.
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EPF/is_18_104/ai_n9532759

___

How do concepts, preconceived notions of gender and ideas of gender relate to todays culture and how does this effect out visual culture?
-In the reading the ideas of gender and its modification is comparable to that of cosmetic surgery. In today`s world you can change your eyes, nose, cheeks ect, but is the idea and possibility of gender modification just as easy???
-In the culture we live in, we seem so consumed with the idea of control. We like to think of ourselves as in complete control. Plastic surgery seems to be just another example of this.
-In the reading its brought up that in the world of plastic surgery, differences are becoming alike in sameness. Why is this considered to be a good thing? Why is this so popular??

COSMETIC SURGERY AND THE INSCRIPTION OF CULTURAL STANDARDS OF BEAUTY

Human beings are instictually fearful of change. The role of art, like a sense
of humor, is to transition people to adapt to change.
Craftmanship of art is a signifier of quality. Quality, in turn directs the
viewer to value. Human's have always valued good craftmanship, and depend on
decoration which is skin deep to universally understand beauty. This is
because the image or first impression of an object is a language which almost
all of us can in some way understand or form an opinion on.
Art creates models for us to copy appearances. Is it possible that art creates
the ideal? Art displays the ways in which we judge ourselves. Art also
creates things before they even exist.
Art is something that lives beyond our own lives. Could we perhaps be so
attracted to art because it symbolizes an infinite life, and is full of youth
(because it is often changing, and never receding). Art is something that can
also freeze a moment in time that can be an exact representation of the artist
as they want to be remembered. Could art be considered a fountain of youth?
http://www.goines.net/Writing/art_&_beauty.html
1999 David Lance Goines. Last updated November 23, 2003
Women in Art History Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUDIoN-_Hxs
Women in Film Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEc4YWICeXk&feature=related
___

How are plastic surgeons today affecting our preception of true beauty? Are they responsible for the individuals who are 'addicted' to plastic surgery? In what ways do they set these trends in what is considered 'fashionably beautiful'?
___

To see more stars and the results of their surgeries visit
http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/gallery/0,23668,5024972-5007151-20,00.html

For celebrities responses on cosmetic surgery visit
http://www.ivillage.co.uk/newspol/celeb/cfeat/articles/0,,528719_711295,00.html
Find out exactly what they have to say some examples include
Halle Berry, 40
'I do think we've become obsessed with beauty and the fountain of youth and,
personally, I'm really saddened by the way women mutilate their faces today in
search of that. I see women in their thirties getting plastic surgery, pulling
this up, tucking that back. It's a slippery slope - once you start to pull one
thing one way, then you think, "Oh my God, I've got to do the other side." It's
really insane, and I feel sad about what society is doing to women.'

Joan Rivers, 74
'You paint the house and maintain the car, right? Well, I go to my surgeon every
six months and ask for touch-ups.'

Scarlett Johansson, 22
'I definitely believe in plastic surgery. I don't want to be an old hag. There's
no fun in that.'
___

-Why is the westernized idea of beauty what it is today? Can we blame our own visual culture? What does this say about us as a society and culture?
-How does our culture accept and deal with the idea of fragmentation, ie; you are your arm, leg, nose. How does this affect us as individuals??
___

COSMETIC SURGERY AS TECHNOLOGY OF THE GENDERED BODY

Balsamo suggests in her essay that perhaps the boundary between genders is
eroding. Cross-dressers are persons who take on the characteristics of the
other gender which is not their own. Between the ninteenth and twentieth
centuries cross-dressers would seek help from medical professionals, who
considered it a mental illness. It was not until the 1960's that
cross-dressers began to form support groups, and it became more accepted in
society. Though, to this day, cross-dressers are still considered by many,
including psychiatrists a perverse fetish.
Many believed that cross-dressing was an act to cover up homosexuality.
German physisist, Magnus Hirschfeld coined the term "transvestism" (latin for
cross-dressing) in 1910
Many men say that they cross dress to become more in touch with their feminine
self and to temporarily escape the expected masculine norms. It also brings
erotic pleasure to some men for doing so. Many women say that they cross dress
because they felt a sense of freedom or power, and felt it fit with their way of
life.
Since female cross-dressing is more accepted, not as much research has been done
on this group. Transvestism is becoming more accepted because of the ways in which it is
displayed in popular culture. Films such as "Some Like it Hot", "Tootsie", and
"Mrs. Doubtfire" are examples of this. Yet it is represented in a more comedic
language. On the other hand, films such as "Psycho", and "Silence of the Lambs"
represent cross-dressers as sychopathic serial killers. These interpretations
result in either laughter or fear. The comedic being an "unreal"
representation of transvestism, and horror representing the "real"
transvestism. Unfortunately, neither is a positive symbol.
http://www.glbtq.com/social-sciences/cross_dressing_ssh,2.html

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For what main reasons are men electing to have cosmetic surgery, and why are these reasons kept secret?
There seems to be a trend with men engaging in female body activities. Will this trend only gain momentum, or will we see the opposite take place? Will women engage in male-body activities?
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The Retouching Process

A couple weeks ago in class we talked about the believability and truthfulness of still photography and motion picture. We discussed how photography and film were once the only rational and strictly documentary mediums... obviously not the case nowadays.

Here is the website of insane-o French retoucher Christophe Huet -- the best thing about this site is that you can see the progress of most of his composite images, just click the "making of" button on the right navigation and it gives you the ability to manually scroll through the process behind these images.

CHRISTOPHE HUET - THE FRENCH (re)TOUCH

-Marc R

Jeremy Jeresky New Blog

On The Cutting Edge
I found it interesting that the first image which we saw on last mon lecture was the Nip/Tuck promo. Its an interesting show, fiction non the less but based on reality. Its obvious that the writers of Nip/Tuck must obtain an extensive amount of research into the specifics of contemporary plastic surgery, which will give a great veracity and corproreality to the show itself, but as well gives a great deal of insight into this overall practice. I,ve never seen the characters of this show apply methodoligies of the "proportions of the aesthetic face", but I have seen them apply a post operative interview process. "so, what do you want to change about yourself?" This interview process is actually a standard in plastic surgery procedures, according to emedicine, a website that I checked out. Written by Anthony Sclafani, director of the departmentof Otolaryngology, New York Medical College www.emedicine.com/ent/topic36.htm Actually, the interview process is alot more stringent in real life as Dr. Sclafani writes that "evaluating the patients psychological condition is essential". Who knows if all doctors actually do this, after all in the United States, its a business and standars are no doubt all over the board. Who do you think the "DR. Nick" character on the simpsons is based off of?
The intriuge of shows like Nip/Tuck, Extreme Makeover and The Swan play mostly on our inertest and our compulsiveness in viewing a certain gore and unatural metamorphesis. A natural metamorphesis would be the growing from child through puberty to middle and then old age. But radical reconstructive and plastic surgery inherant to these shows and many others presents us with an unatural alternate metamorphesis, which, I think is indicative and particular to modernism.
I say this because, even though Balsamo talks about the fashionable prediliction of women for the "pert" or upturned nose of the 40's and 50's, such paradigms have been active in societal imagination for much longer.
And this is were question 1 of our group discusion especially resonates a mesure of signifigance.
Keeping in mind the first two Nip/Tuck images we saw last Mon, I coincidently studied a classic short story this week in my English 314 class. The relevance was staggering. "The Birthmark" was written by the Brittish author Thomas Hawthorne in 1850. It is a story about a scientist named Alymer and his new young wife Georgiana. Georgiana, although immaculatley beautiful bears a small pixie like hand shaped birthmark on her cheek. Alymer, possesing the scientific mind, (this is where the story begins) one day asks her "Has it ever occured to you that the mark upon your cheek might be removed?" , She replies "No, indeed, to tell you the truth, it has been so often called a charm, that I was simple enough to imagine it might be so". Alymer becomes obsessed with a scientific and personal perfection to a perpetual youthful idealization of life. He convinces his wife to see the deathly blemeshed nature of her apperance. "I am convinced of the perfect practibility of its removal" he dispels. "If there be the remotest possibility of it," Georgiana pleads, "let the attempt be made, at whatever risk. Danger is nothing to me, for life-while this hateful mark mkes me the object of your horror and disgust, life is a burthen which I would fling down with joy, Either remove this dreadful hand, or take my wretched life! You have deep science!"
Through a series of concoctions Alymer devises an elixer "bright enough to be the draught of immortality" to remove the birthmark. Georgiana drinks it and the pixie shaped hand slowly fades from her cheek. As Alymer revels in his accomplishment Georgiana succombs to its side effects and instantly dies.
A tragic ending "The fatal hand had grappled with the mystery of life, and was bond by which an angelic spirit kept itself in union with a mortal frame."
As all stories reveal a message, we can derive several morals from this tragic tale. Should intracacies of nature be dabbled with? Can science solve all of our problems? espescially of the most humane? Is prying into natures secrets a good thing? What about living in the moment and excepting imperfections and individual apperances? A uniqueness ? Like all classic literature, this short story does'nt give us a didactic messeage to confront, rather we are left with an ambigous rational of foreseeable options to look at in life. The stagering line is that most of these questions and insights are just as prevelant now. The fact that Hawthorne wrote about the scientist, the rational male, who performs the "surgery" on the female, In this case his wife brings us back to question 1 and the Nip/Tuck promo. Balsamo states that cosmetic surgery enacts a form of cultural signification where we can examine the literal and material ideas of beauty. Are these ideas created and perpetuated by men, to be yet materialized on the woman? Balsamo futher writes that cosemetic surgery is said to improve self esteem, social status and sometimes even profesional standing. Certainly the idea of wanting to look younger and stave off natural ageing is another motivational factor. Statistically, are there more men plastic surgeons than women plastic surgeons? I couldnt find any stats on this but I imagine this might be changing as the Cutting Edge article was written over 10 years ago. Certainly the media plays an enormous role in causing the female body to become an object of heightend personal surveillance. Hyper- saturated images of females, be they models or movie stars swarm us from every concievable angle of our lives and we cant seem to avoid these, we know that these images are touched up and hyperreal or a simulacra, but they have an indelible impression on us. Recent studies have revealed that men are becoming an increasingly prolific market interms of plastic surgery and other such new treatments such as Botox and hair restoration and removal. The dynamic is changing. Still the themes of Hawthorne's BirthMark pervade and can allow us to negotiate a moral discussion of this oh so complex,now post modern phenomena.

call for contributors - psychogeography (Drain magazine)

Hi all,

I just came across this call for contributions (essays, artworks, creative writing) for Drain magazine, for a special issue on 'psychogeography.' Since it relates to our recent discussion of 'other spaces' and Michael Cook's work, I thought I'd pass it along in case anyone's interested.

Keith

-------------
Psychogeography
Drain Magazine
Deadline: 04/01/08

Debord described psychogeography as “the study of the specific effects of the geographical environment, consciously organized or not, on the emotions and behavior of individuals.” Debord’s psychogeographical map The Naked City challenged traditional ideas of mapping relating to scale, location, and fixity, and drew on the concept of the city as a conglomeration of distinct quarters, each with its own special function, class divisions, and “physiognomy,” linking the idea of the urban plan to the body. An important strategy of the pyschogeographical was the dérive, “a technique of transient passage through varied ambiences”.
This issue of Drain attempts to gather a series of essays, artworks and creative writings that reflect on the current state of psychogeography. How have contemporary artists, writers and thinkers interpreted, or been influenced by, the legacy of psychogeography?

Please send abstracts to: Celina@drainmag.com and Fred@drainmag.com

Animation or God v2.0?

In the article “What is Digital Cinema” by Lev Manovich, the development of cinema is discussed, from its humble beginnings of basic animation to what we now consider cinema; a film-based record of reality. The article discusses how cinema gradually broke ties with its animated origins and reduced animation to being little more than a “bastard relative” living in the shadows of its larger sibling. However times are changing.

Animation is slowly gaining respectability as an entity unto itself but also as an integrated component of cinema, creating digital cinema. In discussions about this shift in interests our group was intrigued by what underlying element or desire of society was responsible for this change. Why are people slowly finding more interest and satisfaction in animation?

Part of human nature as it is and has been for as far back as history can show us is that people have a need to feel in control. So much of our daily routines are about a search for power and a control over the world around us. Consider even actions seemingly as simple as driving to work instead of taking the bus: we can be more in control of getting to work on time or adjusting our route to avoid traffic, setting the air conditioning to make sure the cabin of the car is just the temperature that we like, adjusting the radio station and volume to what we like or perhaps listening to a cd so we can hear just the songs we’re looking for. Think about your actions in a day, how many of them are at least to some extent about grasping at whatever little bits of control we can get a hold of. Why do we hate being told what to do? Why do we insist on our independence and doing our own thing? It’s because we have a need to feel in control of who we are and where we go in life. (Admittedly its more subconscious in some than it is in others.)

People that are especially and obviously driven, we call power hungry, motivated or real “go getters”, but what about those that are really quiet and shy? Those that don’t seem to make any obvious grabs at power? Often times it only requires looking at them a little closer. They may be too introverted to try and control the people around them but chances are they, like most people, exhibit some symptoms of OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder). Perhaps they fulfill their need for control by being excessively organized or detail oriented?

And now you’re thinking to yourself: “alright, I’ll buy that, but what does it have to do with the increasing popularity of animation and digital cinema?”

Cinema, the film based media, is a record of reality, so what you record with the camera has to actually happen in front of the lens. Because you’re filming reality, you’re always going to be limited and controlled by the laws that construct reality. Physics, time; basically the laws of nature will always define what you can film. Admittedly there are tools and tricks that can help you to bend these laws (wires can help even the least aerodynamic people defy gravity) but those tools will only take you so far.

Enter animation. What’s the sure-fire way to ensure you have complete control over the environment and events within your film? Build the reality yourself. The ultimate expression of a “god complex” animation allows us to create and dominate over a world of our own. Suddenly that perfect lighting for a show is as easy as 3 clicks on a mouse, characters defy gravity with ease, buildings are destroyed, characters are killed and all without those annoying things like costs, insurance and death. If the reality in which your film is created is entirely under your control, the only limits are your imagination.

In the history of animation the technology hasn’t always been present to achieve illusions of reality but imagination and the desire to control the presentation of reality has always been present. Check out this wiki for a quick history of humanity’s attempt to create artificial realities: Even in prehistoric cave paintings, the desire is evident to create a controlled illusion of life.

Today, as the technology of animation develops, and more and more realism is achievable using computer graphics these fabricated realities become more believable, more tangible, it becomes a greater sense of control to be able to hold power over an environment that is becoming ever closer to simulating the world we live in.

Consider this Scanline demo reel of digital water physics.

There is no need for expensive travel to specific locations, for careful planning of shots to get lighting and location just right, or the building of massive studio spaces to shoot a smaller controlled water effect: you have whatever effect you desire at your fingertips.

In a power hungry, escapist society, realistic recreations of the world we live in, which we can control and bend to our will, fascinate us. Whether we’re animating and controlling the world ourselves or watching, and enjoying the idea of a world without limits and rules: a world of absolute power.


And just for fun, here’s a website to check out:

Augenblick Studios

It is a collection of traditional-style animation with a bit of a bite.


Group:

Tyler Williams
Dona Renz
Nadine Gorham
Kim Smith
Ashley Vercekaites

Heterotopian Exploration 101

Urban Exploration is a heteropia generated as a side effect of the evolution of the modern industrial world. As our metropolitan areas have developed, it has been increasingly difficult to find oneself totally isolated, even more-so within the city. To find an abandoned area is not only a haunting testament to the past, but a strangely peaceful experience as you find yourself truly alone, a totally unique experience right in the middle of a familiar environment, without the potential for confrontation. This can be a rare and special experience in our modern society.

URBAN EXPLORATION LOCALLY

Interest in Urban Exploration may not be extremely high, but those who do it are often freakishly devoted. Locally, there are approximately 15 people in Calgary, 25 in Alberta, that meet as a part of an organized exploration group; Urban Exploration Alberta (see link below).

To avoid any legal problems that often come alongside the “trespassing” that is Urban Exploration, the members of UEA, as well as other organized exploration groups, use codenames to conceal their identity. As much as it is a legal concern, it is also definitely a part of the escapism and “secret world” of the heterotopias that these mysterious urban spaces provide.

SITES + SPACES IN CALGARY

There are several drains in Calgary that are suitable for explorations, the others being too small for a human and flowing into the larger runoff drains. There are also a few selective abandoned sites in and around Calgary, but as a result of the city’s “tear down the old, throw up the new” mentality, it is very difficult to find sites to explore.

To further add to the mystery of the Urban Exploration subculture, codenames are also used to refer to exploration sites, often called “missions” by avid explorers. These missions are usually named by the first explorer to discover the site. Here are a few missions (and their codenames) in and around Calgary.

Confederation Park Cemetery Drain (Codename: Slaughterhaus)

Info: A Small runoff system in a valley area in NW Calgary. Running under a cemetery, ghosts and other “scary” graffiti cover the walls in a larger “meeting” room in the center of the drain fork.

Marlbourough Park NE Drain (Codename: Valdez)

Info: The largest drain in Calgary, this is where the majority of the NE drain networks flow into. Starting off at 5 feet, the drain then drops into a 3m square pipe. Quite large – some people even ride their bikes through this beast.

MacLeod Trail Drain (Codename: Black Curtain)

Info: A drain that runs under MacLeod Trail and ends up in a golf course near Anderson station.

Molson Brewery Inglewood (Codename: Strange Brew)

Info: This massive Brewery is by far the largest abandoned site in Calgary. Formally abandoned in the late 90’s, a small portion of this space is now used for storage. The rest of the building is in some pretty rough shape, lots of pigeon shit and small amounts of asbestos in certain rooms (a respirator is highly recommended). Security cameras can be found all over the abandoned site to prevent squatters, however the cameras are only on selectively so you must be careful and time out your exploration just right to avoid a run in with the law.

High River Magnesium Plant (Codename: MagCan)

Info: A massive abandoned factory just off of the highway 2. It is the largest structure for miles so it is easy to spot. Entry is difficult, but once inside this factory is a great exploration. Most of the magnesium dust was thoroughly cleaned when the factory was abandoned, making this mission fairly safe. Dangers include extremely high heights with drops of over 200 feet.

Downtown YMCA (Codename: Hitchcock’s Temple of Fitness)

Info: A local legend amongst the Urban Exploration community, this site has recently been demolished and replaced by a large office tower. Opened on May 21st 1954, this space was the main fitness and hostel facility in downtown Calgary. With a basement floor, 2 floors of fitness/gym/pool above ground, and 3 floors of rooms/hostel space above that, this was one of the best and most feature-filled abandoned spaces Calgary had ever seen. Abandoned on August 26th 1988, this site sat for over 15 years before being demolished due to an illegal rave that caused health problems (a result of horrible air quality) in many partying teens. Pigeons, collapsing floors, water damage, toxic mold, extremely high asbestos content, and a high traffic street made this one of the most exciting and dangerous missions. Here are a few photos of the opening day, as well as photos taken of the same spaces after abandonment.


An image in the main gym on opening day, May 21st, 1954


A photo of the main gym in 2003 after being abandoned for over 15 years.


An image of the main pool on opening day.


A photo of the main pool in 2003 after being abandoned.

PREPARING YOURSELF FOR AN EXPLORATION

For the most part, explorations are fairly safe. There are a few things you can always do to make sure all your explorations go smoothly and you stay healthy. If you are draining, make sure the skies are clear and there is no rain in the forecast, as well as no precipitation in previous days. Always tell at least one person where you are going because accidents happen and if you get injured or lost the chances of someone finding you are slim to none.

Here is a nice little list of basic supplies that we drew up to help you stay prepared to explore ethically and keep yourself out of trouble.



Rubber Boots: Self Explanatory. Drains are wet and you want dry feet.

Backpack: A good place to hold all other supplies that you won’t be wearing on your body.
Snacks: Sometimes exploring takes awhile. People get hungry.

Water: People get thirsty too.

Helmet: Not necessary for most explorations, but sometimes spaces get small and you hit your head. Protect your noggin.

Flashlight: Most places you will explore are dark and it is always important to have at least one flashlight.

Headlamp: Easier than a flashlight because you don’t have to hold it. These things are invaluable when you are exploring.

Respirator Mask: Airflow in drains are usually great, so a respirator won’t be necessary. However, many abandoned sites have poor airflow and very harmful substances in the air. Better to be safe than wind up with toxic mold poisoning or asbestosis down the road.

Warm Clothing: most, if not all, abandoned sites get cold. Even in the summer, the temperature stays fairly cool inside drains and abandoned sites. Stay comfortable. Stay warm.

Rope: Sometimes you can get stuck in places or your buddy may fall through a floor (that would really suck). Either way, have a way to track your path or to pull things/people up or out of strange spaces.

Crowbar: Great for lifting manhole covers. IMPORTANT: You should never use force to get into an abandoned space. If it is open, go in, if you have to break something to get in, then go away. If you have a crowbar on you and you think you are about to get caught, ditch it and ditch it fast. It may mean the difference between going to jail because the cops think you are vandalizing, or the cops thinking you are just a nice curious student. Same goes for spraypaint. If you feel like being an asshole and taking paint/markers, well, you probably deserve to get caught, but ditch it if you hear people coming.

Pocketknife/Leatherman: These things are handy as hell and you’ll probably find yourself needing it at somepoint. It’s ok to screw something open to get in, as long as you put it back when you are done.

Extra Batteries: For when you light runs out and when you don’t want to screw yourself.

Tape and Tinfoil: Some places, like the Strange Brew Mission, have motion sensors. It is best to avoid these places all together, but if you are experiences and feel like being James Bond, you can successfully dodge security cameras/motion sensors with some black tape and tinfoil if you know what you are doing.


LINKS

Drains of My City: His UEA “name is ReduxZero, and he is seriously dedicated to exploration and the documentation of our local heterotopias. On this site you can find his photographs (which are quite great), as well as PDF files and in depth reports on his explorations (even mini sites on roadtrips and missions!). Most of his explorations are in Alberta too, so you can get a sense of the spaces you usually don’t see which are in your own backyard. Definitely worth checking out.

Urban Exploration Alberta : A group (more of a “secret club”) of Albertans dedicated to Urban Exploration in and around our fine province. They even meet in person every week at the Hop in Brew pub at 8PM! On this website you can find galleries and articles to “missions” that have been completed by the members of this group.

Infiltration : A nice little online zine specializing in places you aren’t supposed to go. Showing Drains, Churches, Hospitals, etc.

Abandoned : A great site that focuses on abandoned sites of all shapes and sizes. The main focus is Kentucky, but missions across the Unites States are also featured. Lots of photos… great

G-Cans : The world’s largest drain: GCANS! In a small town in Japan that takes in virtually all the water in Japan when the local river basin floods. Totally crazy.


Happy Exploring!

Brennan K.
Claire O.
Marc R.
Rachel R.
Connor W.