Midterm Project

Seemingly overnight, Nike has been given permission to rename the historic square of Karlsplatz, Vienna to Nikeplatz. The reaction from people ranges from quiet acceptance to rampant disgust. Has corporate branding finally gone too far?

nikeground.com

Nikeground.com is a part of a fake campaign launch for the Nike Corporation. The marketing campaign has a simple yet disturbing premise:

"You want to wear it, why shouldn't cities too?"

With their latest project nikeground.com the artist's 0100101110101101.org gave a truly subversive performance. By literally tricking the city of Vienna with their flashy website and aesthetically pleasing, gadget-ridden, info box, the artists' displayed the power of multimedia. The project nikeground.com, played with the minds of the citizens of Vienna by employing three of David Ross' "distinctive Qualities of Net.Art" This work of art, this performance piece, is one of the many projects this group has embarked upon to relay an even more important message, than the illusive quality of technology.

The outrage, acceptance, disbelief, all of the reactions received from the supposed renaming of Karlsplatz illustrate the power of multimedia. In David Ross' lecture about net.art, twenty or so qualities were outlined to qualify a work displayed on the web as art. As a form of multimedia, the art does ascribe to most of these qualities, but seems to focus on epitomizing these three; (1) Digital technology affords the possibilities of simulation and construction of truly credible images, (2) the shifting of identities, (3) net.art is anarchic and dangerous (Ross). The artists' 0100101110101101.org, through nikeground.com create a work of art that produces such credible imagery that the user cannot help but accept its validity, even if its message seems erroneous. Vienna would never allow Nike to rename one of its most historic sites, or if the price was right would it? People are bombarded with images of the web everyday. When a website has such an intricate layout and a professional veneer, the tendency is to believe whatever information is given

The entire performance depends upon certain reactions to multimedia. What is perhaps the most interesting aspect of this is that the artists' are trying to create dialogue that puts into question these behaviors. It is because of the Internet that such a project could be embarked upon. Without this medium, it would be hard to create a work that can be experienced by an entire city. The artist then can use this medium to pass the message on the entire world. The Internet allows the artist to spread messages that might have been censored by other popular forms of media. The Internet however has a dark side. Nikeground.com explores the darker side of blurring the lines of reality and fiction. In this, nikeground.com is in the same vein as jodi.org. The Internet has such powers and such capabilities, it is easy to focus on the good and completely ignore some of the inherent dangers of the web. The very qualities that he internet is praised for possessing are the same qualities that can potentially give the most trouble.

Format

I wonder if this photographer knows that it captured a moment in the glorious sky never to be seen again?

We never get to see the same sky twice, I wonder why then we don't just stare at the sky and marvel at it's ingenuity.

I want the world to see the many variations one sky can have, but I've never been able to quite be able to get a piece of paper big enough

to love oneself is the beginning of a life long love affair -Oscar Wilde

Virutal Reality

The beginning of Scott Fisher's essay "Virtual Interface Environments," begs for comment. The italicized story of a futuristic couple going to work describes a world that could be very well be possible through the medium of virtual reality. He focuses on the part of life that tends to be the bone of contention for many working adults, the commute to work. Fisher cries loudly throughout this piece that there are huge benefits to a virtual word as well as the fact that the technology is close at hand. With the skepticism of any Orwellian follower, too much technology enables too much control and not enough interaction with the real world. Before the technologies of virtual reality are mass produced and widely spread, the positives as well as the negative effects on society should be discussed. Already in work places where email, blackberries, cellphones and other electronic devices that are supposed to aid productivity, have heard arguments about how useful these tools have really become. Have they become more of an encumbrance, than an actual help? Many companies have expressed concern over the lack of formality in emails sent through the office, as well as how well their employees are using their time wisely. Would having a virtual world where people don't have to venture outside really benefit productivity in the long run? How much human interaction is needed to ensure that society remains humane? Where has the art of conversation, letter writing and comfort gone? If we can virtualize the workplace, than why not the home. Why not have environments that are perfected for our manipulation? What is stopping us from entering into a virtual world and never coming back from it?

The actual technologies described in the essay are quite remarkable. In order to mimic our experience of a space there are so many elements that need to be considered. Our five senses have to be engaged. As we progress forward in our search of a virtual world it will be amazing to marvel at the technologies that will allow us to not only engage, sight, hearing and touch, but also taste and smell. The data glove and the use of fiber-optics, the helmet with mounted LCD screens, the surround sound environment of headphones, all of these gadgets help to create a space that we can manipulate and interact with. How will art and technology come together to mimic taste and smell? It seems that here, the study of virtual reality there is not present a impenetrable divide between the arts and sciences. It seems that here in this space we have found another frontier.