In this video I wanted to play with the idea of taking something apart. I though it was interesting to view an object being reduced little by little. This sort of de-evolution of shape and mass creates its own lively energy. The methodical back and forth movement of the thread takes on a machine like presence. The rhythm is broken toward the end leaving us with the reduced garment and its de-knitted parts. This video compares the refined skill of knitting with the simple act of undoing, “unraveling”.
Boating-
In this video I wanted see what effect of placing an object in an unlikely place would have. By traveling in a wave like pattern among trees and hills rather than water the boat stands out as something misplaced. There is a simple sadness to its journey. In a way this video is commenting on the similarities between forms in nature, specifically the horizon of hills and open water.
The idea behind Dana's first video unravel is interesting in that it takes the simple structure we all expect of knitting to be constantly growing in size and flips it around. It is interesting that the idea of unraveling the string can have its own energy in the same sense that building up through kitting has an energy all its own. The break down of the string is surprisingly systematic. usually when people think of unraveling or undoing something there is an implied sense of chaos and disturbance but in Dana's video the unraveling seems to have an almost simple and calming energy.
ReplyDeleteVisually this video is quite simple which in relation to the concept fits well. All that can be seen is laundry detergent and the kitting. I thought including the laundry detergent was interesting because it enhanced the idea of undoing something, detergent gets rid of/undos dirt while the unraveling gets rid of the actual project. the idea has a sense of deep simplicity so it is understandable that the visual nature of the video is also simple.
Dana's second video, boating, has a quite beautiful visual set up. The place of filming is very natural and has really awesome late afternoon lighting. As the boat travels along the horizon, though as Dana stated, it does not belong, it does show the connection between a horizon filled with trees and an imagined ocean horizon where the boat would be at home. The end of the video when the boat "sails" into the sun inspires a very strong sense of satisfaction with the video and how the end is tied up.
The idea behind the boating video is interesting in that it allows the viewer to play with their own imagination in a very childlike and peaceful way. It is almost as if the slow movement of the boat along the horizon suggests the same relaxing feeling of a boat rocking with the waves. Though the visuals inspire a sense of calm and tranquility the simple fact that the boat is in the wrong environment can create just the slightest sense of unease and discontent.
I really liked Dana's second video with the boat. In terms of the visual elements, I thought that the setup was awesome. The lighting seemed perfect and it almost reminded me of a day dream type atmosphere. I like how the framing just includes the Boat and a little bit of the background. In the beginning of the video you can see a person in the background, and I thought that added to the video because it gave me a sense of reality in this weird situation.
ReplyDeleteI thought that the concept was also very fascinating. As Dana mentioned, the relationship between the horizon line and the open water is really interesting. I thought that the way the boat moved across the horizon was simple and yet not at all. It seemed so careful and detailed. It would be cool to see the boat travel other places with a similar wave pattern.
In Dana's first knitting video, I really like the way the film was speed up. It made the act of unraveling the thread seem more purposeful. I couldn't help but wondering while I was watching Dana's video, why someone would be taking the knitting apart. I liked that the video made me question what was happening. You wonder what the knitting was meant to be before it was taken apart.
I also liked the composition. The way the hands sometimes enter the scene and then disappear. The presence of the laundry detergent in the background helped me familiarize with the scene.
The first video was very intriguing. The deconstruction of the knitted item was fascinating because it was done methodically. This methodicalness seemed oxymoronic for the pointless deconstruction of the video. I liked how it concluded with throwing the mass of yarn on the washer.
ReplyDeleteThe second video also had a methodical approach as the boat carefully "rode" the skyline. I liked the consistancy of the spinning, It seemed extremely similar to how a boat would rock and toss.