Watches as technology and uses for learning

When I was asked to bring in a piece of technology into class I immediately wanted to bring bring in my video game system. After all it has microchips, has multiple functions like internet access, and of course runs video games. I was then taken aback by how quickly I turned to a simple solution because of those very reasons. I began to broaden my horizons on what I considered technology and decided to show my fellow students my watch. At first one might not be sold that this is technology, but a defining characteristic of technology is it's ability to become better at it's function(s). If a watches job is to tell time, then one could view a sun dial as a simplistic watch. As a person looks at other historical time periods the way of telling time becomes more advanced. There have been hourglasses, clepsydras, clocks that use weights, pendulums, and finally batteries. This is not a complete list but the idea that telling time is becoming more important and more more precise is there. Watches are also a great piece of technology because they are a form of organization. if i were to tell a person I would meet them at 5 pm I would look at my watch to tell me the time as to not be late. Asking a person could be inefficient because those are precious seconds wasted. Especially if they respond time to buy a watch instead of simply answering the question. Watches are meant to keep individuals organized. Watches are also a great learning tool.  

If I were to teach a lesson based on my watch, I would bring the elements of composition, legibility, and complexity forward. When the designer thought up my watch he or she did not place anything randomly. The numbers are not out of order because that would not make a bit of sense. The numbers are also evenly spaced from each other and not cramped. The numbers are also are in a circle which reinforces the overall shape of the watch. there are dots that tell a person which second it is of a minute and are also evenly spaced from each other. In addition every fifth dot is slightly bigger to line up with a number on the watch. To give the watch pizzazz the inner circle is comprised of multiple lines that reach the center of the watch and comes with a little icon that designates what company made the watch. The band of the watch can be adjusted for the wrist and for the where the watch is placed. All these elements are essential for the making the watch something nice to look at. These elements can be played with as well. For example, does the watch need to be circular or could it be square in shape and how might this shape effect where the numbers are placed. As for legibility the designer is making it for a certain age group. if the buyer is young he or she might have better eyesight and would want the numbers to be smaller whereas if the user is old he or she might want large numbers. Lastly, a watch can change in complexity meaning what functions should a watch have. Obviously we want it to tell time, but do we also want it to tell military time? A watch could also tell what altitude you are at. These are also elements to think about when making a watch. 

In addition, a watch is an excellent device to use when teaching someone to tell time. By explaining the little hand is used for showing what hour of the day it is and that the bigger hand is used for showing an individual how many minutes have transpired since the start of the hour a person can grasp the concept of time quickly. a little more instruction is needed like the hand moving quicker than the others is the second hand, if the watch has one. Soon the person can be able to calculate how much time has transpired at a set point or how much time will pass when given a certain time to add on. Not only can a watch teach people artistically, but also mathematically. 

The Whitney Museum

In New York City lies a museum on 75th and Madison, named the Whitney. The building is special because it was imagined and realized by the architect Marcel Breuer. Breuer was a student at the Bauhaus in Germany where many students came to understand the basic qualities of all the arts. The Whitney building, from a three quarters view, has each proceeding floor jut out a little bit from the previous level and creates an upside step pyramid effect. The institution itself has dedicated its 84 years of life to finding new american artists, buying their work, and displaying the pieces in the gallery to give the artists a chance to show off their work. That was Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney's original intent, which the museum still carries out today. A prime example to date is Cory Arcangel's Super Mario Clouds from 2003. Cory hacked the Super Mario Brothers game to repeat a cloud sequence in order to cross the boundary of digital technology and pop culture. The audience sees here a new art form being created out of something relatively old and archaic. By acquiring this piece the Whitney became a collector of new media and won't stop unless there is nothing new to show.

Egoraptor as a Media Artist

Egoraptor is the user name of Arin Hanson on various flash player websites. Arin made his claim to fame on the site Newgrounds.com with his Awesome Series. These web videos parody well known video games in which Arin quickly sketches a game's character and makes a recognizable environment to that specific video and exploits funny or frustrating situations from the game. One such game is metal gear solid where Snake, the games protagonist, can be recognized by his blue suit and his conversations with his allies can be recognized with a radio transmission like screen. Egoraptor is also known for excessive swearing in his webisodes and his sexual innuendo jokes that make the videos funny and enjoyable to watch. Egoraptor has moved on to walkthroughs of video games with his trusty comrades Jontron and eventually Danny. These videos only include footage of the video game and are not animated, but are still funny to watch.

I consider Egoraptor an important media artist because his style is very distinct and for his use of Newgrounds and Youtube to show his work with the rest of the world. Since Arin has started his series graphic shirts have come out bearing his work. Memes have also been created that incorporate recognizable stills from his videos along with a quote. Arin has employed various mass media tools in order to have his work seen and have his ideas known and is thus a media artist.

Lowell Wynn a personal history

Dear interested readers,
My Name is Lowell Wynn and I grew up in New Rochelle until the 2nd grade. I then moved to Scarsdale, New York where i have been since High School. I recently graduated from Muhlenberg College where I studied as an art major and chemistry minor. I started my college career in the health track because I believed I could be a doctor. The truth of the matter is I still could be a doctor if I wanted to be because I completed the requirements for medical school, except the MCATs. However, as I was on this track I realized I did not have to be a biology major to become a doctor and decided to be an art major. There was a little less stress in this plan, plus I was doing something I enjoyed doing. I liked working with the teachers so much that I decided to give back to the community by becoming an art teacher. I concentrated in painting with acrylic paint. I also know various printmaking forms as well as some adobe premiere and sculpting techniques. In addition, I have always been told I would make a great teacher by my High School art teacher. She believes in me and gives me confidence. It is something I wish to pass on to my students in art. I decided to keep the chemistry classes going because I enjoyed learning about atoms and how these minuscule things make up everything around us. I expect to learn new ways of online communication and to have a better understanding of adobe premiere. In this day and age it is important to have a basic unstinting of these programs and interactive websites to stay in touch with students better and to pass that knowledge on at a younger age to make sure the programs become more advanced and easier to use.
Till Next Time,
Lowell Wynn