http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoIwcPyNIko
Category Archives: art
Berlin Kidz: Graffiti for the ages
Filed under art, bicycle, capitalism, communication, critique, do-it-yourself, documentary, graffiti, juxtaposition, media, propaganda, representation
Synthesizers in motion: Bastl instruments documentary
This is a very enjoyable trip to Bastl instruments in the Czech Republic. Host Cuckoo is a charming interviewer and Bastl instruments showcase a people-oriented business.
My anticipation is that we’ll meet a lonely Eastern European modular maker, but what unfolds is a robust community has grown dramatically. Includes the boss describing how to avoid “poop face,” a woman modulating with a baby strapped on, Bastl’s boutique coffee plans, and a business where everyone is a musician. No really, it seems like *everyone* is a musician at Bastl.
Best part of the video is a chance to get some perspective from Peter Edwards (Casper Electronics) a circuit-bending scientist whose website has inspired a lot of people, including myself.
Filed under art, capitalism, do-it-yourself, documentary, humor, music, synthesizers, technology
RIP Prince: Musicology
Filed under art, funk & soul, memorial, music
DIY synthesizer inspirations: Peter Blasser and Chris Beckstrom
I continue to learn about digital noise-making. I’ve been soldering and bread-boarding synthesizers and noise-boxes for the last year. Along the way I’ve found a few cool motivations and inspirations.
1. I found Peter Blasser and his musical wizardry through an essay he wrote about making electronic instruments for a small child for econtact. At first I thought he was mocking the reader, and then I realized that the essay was deeply creative, fluid and inspiring. I spent as much time exploring the links as reading the text. This led me to Peter’s astounding limited edition home-made instruments: Ciat.lonbarde.net
Here is Blasser with a workshop about his Shnth I found enjoyable.
Blasser offers some really interesting DIY projects at his website: Peter B. I’m collecting the parts to make some paper circuits. I find his approach, openness and creative inspirational work to be sublime.
2. Since I’ve been making my own instruments I often run into disappointment. I finish something and plug in a battery and it doesn’t work. Finding motivation to keep creating when projects flop takes a little intellectual inspiration. I often turn to look at the pictures and read the notes by Chris Beckstrom. As he puts it:
My admittedly lofty goal was to build a modular synthesizer, from scratch, using basic components (no kits), with zero electronics experience. Turns out, it’s possible! I’m sharing circuits, designs, pictures, and code to help other folks realize their dream of building a modular synthesizer for themselves.
Source: DIY Modular Synthesizer | Chris Beckstrom
I really like that uses bolts as cheap connections instead of the costly cables for most systems. I appreciate that he lists that some of his modules aren’t working at the moment. At points where I struggled to move forward it is really gratifying to see a home-made system that seems accessible. In fact seeing creative people who aren’t deterred by lack of money or parts is helpful as I put together my machines.
Filed under art, do-it-yourself, learning, music, synthesizers, technology, vulnerability
DIY synthesizers part 1
I’ve been making my own synthesizers for the last few months. It started with a challenge from my friend August. August pointed me to the $25 Sythrotek Atari Punk Console kit at makershed. Prior to this I had been messing with Arduino synthesizers (primarily using the under-respected Mozzi library). We ordered some noise box kits and when they arrived, started awkwardly soldering.
My favorite thing is that I’m learning an astounding amount every day. I think that is how it goes whenever you dive into something that you didn’t know much about!
Shout out to Synthrotek and Dr. Bleep. I started with some kits and am now building my own little noiseboxes inspired by the kits (and any number of fine internet peeps). Here are a few photos from the early builds including a my finished APC kit in the DIY wooden box.
Filed under art, do-it-yourself, learning, music
Kendrick Lamar: God is gangsta
Filed under art, hip hop, music, representation, vulnerability
Gay stormtroopers, DIY art and becoming more villainous: Suck Lord
Thanks to Boing Boing for the link!
Filed under art, do-it-yourself, Gay, juxtaposition
Justice for Mike Brown: disrupting the symphony
Beautiful music. A moment of public dialogue interjected into a space for beautiful music. I don’t know how I missed this St. Louis symphony showdown.
Elizabeth Vega on the conception of the symphony as a protest space. Daily KOS reports:
Elizabeth: Two weeks ago, Sarah and I participated in a direct action at Cardinal Stadium. We did a series of banner drops at a baseball game with folks. We are both middle aged I am a grandmother and I am brown and Sarah is white. People were incredibly rude and racist to us at the game. They booed us. Told us “Pants up dont loot” etc.. They clearly saw what they wanted to see. We were escorted out in handcuffs and chanted “No justice! No Peace!” It was a rough night where we didnt feel any love. Sarah suggested that night, jokingly, that perhaps we needed another venue. The next day she said she wanted to do an action at the symphony. I was on board and immediately brought on Derek. When we found out the next performance was a requiem we had to do it. It took us about two weeks among planning other actions and events for the national mobilization. We are all very busy but carved out about five hours total to recruit, plan and organize.
via Requiem for Mike Brown protest at St. Louis Symphony exposes both white privilege and support.
Thanks to feministing for the suggestion, link and video.
Filed under art, class, human rights, memorial, music, protest, representation, resistance
Stevie Wonder: Talk Box studies 103
Stevie Wonder on the David Frost show extending the notions of human expression. I’m gonna see if I can make the ending note of this song my cell phone ringtone.
Filed under art, communication, music
Janelle Monae & 500th post
This is the 500th post on life of refinement. I’m proud of the non-linear series of artifacts gathered here that point toward new understandings. I use this web site to archive interesting things. Meaningful things. This is a curation of the rambling series of artifacts and patterns of representation I find significant enough to be marked and analyzed in a free open public space. This is as close to learning as we’ll ever get.
Thanks to all who read the website.
***
I knew of Janelle Monae and appreciated her music but only had singles in my library. Inspired by a Wax Poetics write up, I bought a copy of “The Electric Lady” last night. With two full listens into the album (barely enough to comprehend what is going on) I’m sold.
This project is wonderful dance music and a really good concept album (or an extension of a concept album to multiple projects — Monae plays an alter ego pretty consistently). The record is an extended riff on technology, cyborg/human interactions, civil rights and living life with dual identities. Given that “The Electric Lady” could be a Phillip K. Dick novel, the smooth inviting production and musicianship is what carries the project.
This albums sounds VERY eighties to me. From the sonic structure and choices of beats/samples to the rock opera lyricism of the concepts. At points I was reminded of my nostalgic childhood filled with Styx, Heart, Bon Jovi and Run DMC. The strings sound eighties. The drums sound eighties. Even the vocal harmonies remind me of eighties hits. But the eighties were a point of technological jump off and the slight broadening of pop music.
I like the futuristic world that Monae is painting. And the willingness to build futuristic pop music out of the sonic blocks of the past. Astute Monae names tracks after inspiring pioneers: “Sally Ride” (astronaut) and “Dorothy Dandridge Eye’s” (first black woman to be nominated for an Academy Award).
In the context of the blog, I’ll quote the end of the “Dance Apocalyptic” when Janelle Monae says: “I really really want to thank you for dancing to the end.” Thanks for reading and dancing ’til the end.
Filed under art, communication, funk & soul, hip hop, human rights, music, representation, resistance, rock and roll, technology
Life of refinement 