One Minute Films

I need to thank Chris, of uploadthingy.com fame, for passing on this link www.filminute.com, See their newest offerings at http://www.filminute.com/2009/screeningroom/ These are extraordinarily creative 1 minute films from all over the planet. Very different, as they should be. Try it now!

Other Viewpoints

Mitch Joel, over at http://www.twistimage.com/blog/ applies a more traditional way to examine a media, by looking at market influence, the progress of various Web technologies, and the like. It is both thought-provoking and very well presented, but insofar as examining the directions and quality of content and creativity, it does little to push the conversation in those particular directions.

However, see ideas such as this one, http://www.twistimage.com/blog/archives/benchmarking-the-internet-against-tv/ to get a look at the more market-focused takes on all things Web. The author's sub-title, Six Pixels of Separation, lets you know where he comes from.

Which of course is better than most.

Video Art

Here's an interesting take on video - http://www.post-videoart.com/ that allows video artists to upload their work for we lucky few to view and enjoy. An excellent endeavor, but it has two major issues. First, it requires a Quicktime plug in. This is a problem becaue there are so many different formats out there it seems quite arbitrary to require just one type. At least allow the use of Windows Media Viewer - it would significantly broaden the user base.

Secondly, folks, you gotta get a bigger screening area. Allow the viewer to go full screen mode - you've got some really good stuff there - don't force the viewer to squint, eh?

I watched about ten random selections, and all told, they were very creative, interesting, and in several instances, provocative. Just what art should be.

What other video art sites would you recommend? Let us know!

Alternate Universe

Allow me to pose a question: Imagine you have the ability to give the entire Web a makeover. You could change the way it works, the way it looks, how its focused. Would you? And if so, what is the first thing you would do?

Now, don't take the easy way out on this. Don't bother with an individual site for exclusion, or saying who can participate and who cannot. Go deeper. Think about how you might change the way things are laid out on pages, or how the pages interrelate. Or how you might redefine categories and heirarchies.

For example, I have grown tired of the static page approach, all designed around the grid concept, just like in a newspaper or magazine. Even television can't shake this ancient concept. I realize its easy to design on this principal, but come on, folks, admit it.

It's boring.

A Perfect Example

At the beginning, I think it critical you see a perfect example of what is really possible with the Web. This site, http://www.ashesandsnow.org/ is a perfect blend of art, technology, and poetry in its design, execution, and realization. The artist challenges us through a remarkable use of both straight photography and image alteration. The vocal and music accompaniment take the viewer on a deep and complex journey, and show, in an elegant manner, what is really possible.

At no point does the artist cheapen the experience to pander to common denominators. He allows us two points of entry, acknowledging not all bandwidth is equal on the Web, so that no one has to miss out on the experience.

I urge you to go to http://www.ashesandsnow.org/ and experience the full effect. Let me know what you think about it, and let me know, as well, of other sites that raise the bar as this one does.


As always, more to come.

It's Out There, All Right

When I first entered the Web, still known as the Internet back then, I was impressed by three things: it was a really cool idea; it made perfect sense, and it was wide open. Anything was possible, and anything was probable. Not unlike the idea of television when it first became widely available. One could imagine the Library at Alexandria, the Louvre, The Smithsonian - these and more, at your fingertips, literally.


I envisioned wild creativity, new vistas beyond the two-dimensional thinking prevalent in television and movies, where the lowest-common denominator was the rule of law. Here, I thought, be dragons, the edge of the world, the Great Jumping-Off Place. OK. I was young, idealistic, and a bit thick. That's my only excuse.

Let's face it - I was wrong. In what is virtually a universe, the truly creative is often lost in the soup of the mundane, the sloppiness, the rude and obnoxious, and the - wait for it - lowest-common denominator. I apologize, but its really not my fault. I have tried to engage in the creative possibilities presented by this universe of potentiality, but have come to despair of it ever being anything more than, well, generalized dreck.

I mean to use this blog to critique the Web. This does not mean simply complaining about everything - there are, after all, far too many ranters out there already. I also mean to help find the true gems, the places where art, creativity, and daring experiments are hidden from general view. Lets face it - none of the so-called search engines out there allow you, the traveler, to both find such gems, but more importantly, to have them come into your consciousness, unbidden, a surprise that shakes and awakes. Not unlike the way radio once did that for music, before corporate playlists took over.

So to that end, I also invite you to submit your own critiques, your own hidden gems. No rants, please, but well-reasoned critiques. The Comments here are moderated, to prevent abuse. I mean this to be a civil discourse. Extra points for rational thought.

Next time, a couple of warm-up sites for your consideration. Until then, happy travels.