Globalization and me
Wiseman, S. (2014). You are loved. 12" x 12" Mosaic glass tile and concrete.
No matter what you do, when you are absolutely alone, go inside yourselves and understand that you have already been loved. And then all you have to do is prepare yourselves, always prepare yourselves so that you can go out and pay for someone who is yet to come (Angelou, 1990).
Globalization and its translation in art
The concept of being a global citizen did not arise with digital technology. Delacruz opens her introductory chapter with a quote from the ancient Greek philosopher: “I am a citizen of the world” (Delacruz, 2009, p. x). Today, through social media, as a global citizen each of us suddenly has a voice in the world that we have not had as individuals otherwise. A tweet, a share, a like or a comment suddenly becomes a statement in the worldwide forum. We are now individual curators – we have the power to choose what is important. How will we decide to use our voice? What is it that we want to say now that our microphone is on?
Artists keeping it real in a high tech world
Artists are beginning to find ways to translate social media and sleek digital technology into something very human. For example, artist Jennifer Wen Ma collaborated with a lighting designer and a programmer to create a giant mood ring from Beijing’s Water Cube. By collecting data on the emoji used in social media each day, the lighting of the Water Cube is able to capture the general mood of China every night.
Street art, which was viewed mostly in the physical space, now can be viewed around the world through hashtags and viral videos across many social media platforms. Just as globalization has become a catalyst for glocalization, technology has been a catalyst for the growing trend of using traditional crafts in street art. Yarn bombing, for example, is the art of covering just about anything in knit. Communities of knitters unite often under the cover of night to envelope parking meters, trees, statues and even buildings in cozy and bright color. Artist Jim Bachor has taken it upon himself to fill Chicago’s potholes with mosaic tile works, inspired by the permanence of the art form (Sierzputowski, 2014). Stickering is a growing trend, allowing a wide variety of people to leave a quick “fingerprint” on the world around them (Dingfleder, 2003).
My interpretation and artwork
Inspired by the idea of combining technology with the tradition of craftsmanship, and using it to convey a positive and hopeful message to the public, I chose to create a tile mosaic for a public space. I used a QR code generator to convert my chosen text “you are loved” into a black and white code. It is a static message, there is no link to website nor is there any ability to track this. It’s just three simple words. I replicated the image in black and white tile and set the tile into the concrete. The paver will be placed at the entrance of a parking lot adjacent to a public trail used for running and walking.
I experienced an official “fail.” It failed because the tiles became slightly askew in setting it in the concrete, making it unreadable to the QR scanner app. Ironically I created a meaningless reference to our digital life – an unreadable hieroglyphic. I am reminded of the importance of craftsmanship, as I begin the second attempt with a new plan for setting tile and I am savoring the marriage of technology with all that is human in the process.
Update:
On the second attempt, I was successful: a mosaic with a readable QR code. As planned, I placed it in front of a water fountain at the trailhead. I even watched two people scanning it with their phones, flashing a little smile to themselves when the message came up. Again, this is just a static message with no ability to track it or get feedback. That pleases me in a sense, it seems a true gift this way, however I must admit, I am curious to know how many have tried it out. Time to make more and spread the love.
References:
Angelou, M. (1990, June 30). Symposium conducted at the meeting of Academy of Achievement, Washington, DC.
Delacruz, E. M. (2009). Mapping the Terrain: Globalization, art, and education. In E. M. Delacruz, A. Arnold, M. Parsons, and A. Kuo, (Eds.), Globalization, art, and education (pp. x-xviii). Reston, VA: National Art Education Association.
Dingfeldger, S. (2013, February 27). D.C.-area street artists trade spray paint for faster form of tagging, stickering. Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/express/wp/2014/02/27/sticker-shocked-local-street-artists-trade-spray-paint-for-a-faster-form-of-tagging/
Sierzputowski, K. (2014, May 14). Covering a city’s potholes with art. Hyperallergic. http://hyperallergic.com/126185/covering-a-citys-potholes-with-art/
Globalization and its translation in art
The concept of being a global citizen did not arise with digital technology. Delacruz opens her introductory chapter with a quote from the ancient Greek philosopher: “I am a citizen of the world” (Delacruz, 2009, p. x). Today, through social media, as a global citizen each of us suddenly has a voice in the world that we have not had as individuals otherwise. A tweet, a share, a like or a comment suddenly becomes a statement in the worldwide forum. We are now individual curators – we have the power to choose what is important. How will we decide to use our voice? What is it that we want to say now that our microphone is on?
Artists keeping it real in a high tech world
Artists are beginning to find ways to translate social media and sleek digital technology into something very human. For example, artist Jennifer Wen Ma collaborated with a lighting designer and a programmer to create a giant mood ring from Beijing’s Water Cube. By collecting data on the emoji used in social media each day, the lighting of the Water Cube is able to capture the general mood of China every night.
Street art, which was viewed mostly in the physical space, now can be viewed around the world through hashtags and viral videos across many social media platforms. Just as globalization has become a catalyst for glocalization, technology has been a catalyst for the growing trend of using traditional crafts in street art. Yarn bombing, for example, is the art of covering just about anything in knit. Communities of knitters unite often under the cover of night to envelope parking meters, trees, statues and even buildings in cozy and bright color. Artist Jim Bachor has taken it upon himself to fill Chicago’s potholes with mosaic tile works, inspired by the permanence of the art form (Sierzputowski, 2014). Stickering is a growing trend, allowing a wide variety of people to leave a quick “fingerprint” on the world around them (Dingfleder, 2003).
My interpretation and artwork
Inspired by the idea of combining technology with the tradition of craftsmanship, and using it to convey a positive and hopeful message to the public, I chose to create a tile mosaic for a public space. I used a QR code generator to convert my chosen text “you are loved” into a black and white code. It is a static message, there is no link to website nor is there any ability to track this. It’s just three simple words. I replicated the image in black and white tile and set the tile into the concrete. The paver will be placed at the entrance of a parking lot adjacent to a public trail used for running and walking.
I experienced an official “fail.” It failed because the tiles became slightly askew in setting it in the concrete, making it unreadable to the QR scanner app. Ironically I created a meaningless reference to our digital life – an unreadable hieroglyphic. I am reminded of the importance of craftsmanship, as I begin the second attempt with a new plan for setting tile and I am savoring the marriage of technology with all that is human in the process.
Update:
On the second attempt, I was successful: a mosaic with a readable QR code. As planned, I placed it in front of a water fountain at the trailhead. I even watched two people scanning it with their phones, flashing a little smile to themselves when the message came up. Again, this is just a static message with no ability to track it or get feedback. That pleases me in a sense, it seems a true gift this way, however I must admit, I am curious to know how many have tried it out. Time to make more and spread the love.
References:
Angelou, M. (1990, June 30). Symposium conducted at the meeting of Academy of Achievement, Washington, DC.
Delacruz, E. M. (2009). Mapping the Terrain: Globalization, art, and education. In E. M. Delacruz, A. Arnold, M. Parsons, and A. Kuo, (Eds.), Globalization, art, and education (pp. x-xviii). Reston, VA: National Art Education Association.
Dingfeldger, S. (2013, February 27). D.C.-area street artists trade spray paint for faster form of tagging, stickering. Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/express/wp/2014/02/27/sticker-shocked-local-street-artists-trade-spray-paint-for-a-faster-form-of-tagging/
Sierzputowski, K. (2014, May 14). Covering a city’s potholes with art. Hyperallergic. http://hyperallergic.com/126185/covering-a-citys-potholes-with-art/
