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Sunday, February 28, 2010

Gale Memorial Lecture Series (3/2): KAMAU PATTON

Gale Memorial Lecture Series (3/2): KAMAU PATTON

WHAT: Gale Memorial Lecture Series: KAMAU PATTON
WHEN: Tuesday, March 2nd, 5:00 PM
WHERE: UNM ARTS Lab Garage, 131 Pine St., NE (1 block west of University Blvd; half a block north of Central)
Directions at: http://artslab.unm.edu/where.html

FREE and open to the public.

KAMAU PATTON

http://kamaupatton.com/#/

"Blending performance, video, and digital imagery, Kamau Patton has created a body of work that is awesome in its content and spectacular in its execution. Drawing from Diasporic cultures and African American spiritual practices, Patton's work is a hybrid of anthropology and fiction, personal and social commentary" (artslant.com)

He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in Sociology. He received his MFA from Stanford University, Spring 2007. Patton has exhibited his work in solo shows in Los Angeles at Machine Project, in San Francisco at Queens Nails Annex and at Tilton Gallery in New York. Kamau Patton has worked on numerous community based art projects for organizations such as The San Francisco Art Institute, The School House, the Museum of Children's Art, Southern Exposure and the Richmond Art Center. He has worked on public art projects commissioned by The San Francisco Arts Commission, the City of Walnut Creek, the City of San Jose, and Creative Time. Patton has worked collaboratively on artists' projects at the MoMA in New York and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. His most recent work, Icons of Attention, is a performance project for the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco California.

Digital Lunch (3/5): Leveraging Technology to Tell Better Stories



Leveraging Technology to Tell a Better Story


Description: Cinnafilm founder Lance Maurer will present his theories on combining technological advancements in camera and software without breaking the bank to get the highest image quality possible.
 
Cinnafilm is a world leader in GPU Image processing techniques. Their patent-pending engine, called Pixel Strings, is used in both professional film and broadcast post production facilities around the world to maximize image quality for all content delivery methods.
 
WHAT:     Digital Lunch @ UNM: Leveraging Technology to Tell a Better Story
WHEN:     Friday, March 5th 12:00 - 1:00 PM
WHERE:   UNM ARTS Lab, 131 Pine St., NE (1 block west of University Blvd; half a block north of Central (street parking is available in the area; additional parking in the CARC lot -- but come early for a pass!)
 
About Lance Maurer:
Lance is the founder, president, and CEO of Cinnafilm, Inc. – a home-grown New Mexican company dedicated to changing the global landscape of digital image processing through innovative and affordable parallel-processing solutions. Cinnafilm’s motion-based, GPU image processing engine, called “Pixel Strings”TM, has been heralded as “revolutionary” and is the power behind their massive, professional software platform.

After six years of research and development, Cinnafilm recently signed a multi-year, multi-million dollar, global reseller agreement with ARRI shortly after the NAB 2009 show. ARRI is the world's leading manufacturer of professional motion picture equipment, and the agreement gives them worldwide, exclusive rights to sell Cinnafilm's software suite. Now branded ARRI RelativityTM the technology represents an innovative shift while retaining unmatched image quality heritage. In 2008, Cinnafilm also signed a joint development agreement with Digital Film Central, a class-leading Digital Intermediate (DI) processing facility based in Vancouver, BC. That partnership enabled Pixel Strings to be polished for DI applications as well as broadcast. The software now provides unparalleled quality in: degrain, denoise, film grain texture control, film simulation, unlimited format conversion, and artistic and professional retiming and time/framerate modifications.

Prior to launching Cinnafilm, Maurer spent 11 years as a thermal and structural engineer for numerous space craft industry leaders. He also wrote, directed, and produced three films and one music video in this timeframe; American Alien (2001 feature, 16mm), The Legend of Aerreus Kane (2002 short, 16mm), Army Men (2007 short, DV), and Love Crash Heal by Soular (2008 music video, HD).
 
About Digital Lunch @ UNM
UNM's ARTS Lab is pleased to present "Digital Lunch @ UNM" a weekly series on topics in digital media.  Working with IFDM, the Advanced Graphics Lab and its GFX Cafe, and New Mexico's Digital Media community, Digital Lunch runs each Friday at ARTS Lab from noon to 1 PM, including lunch, good information and discussion in a casual setting.  We are especially happy to welcome Cinnafilm as a sponsor.

Friday, February 26, 2010

Electric Ensemble Presents... TONIGHT!

Tonight @ ARTS Lab:

WHAT:      The Electric Ensemble Presents: The Cooper-Moore / Jeremy Barnes Duo
WHEN:     7:30 PM, Friday, February 26th
WHERE:   UNM ARTS Lab, 131 Pine St., NE

COOPER-MOORE:

Multi-instrumentalist, composer, storyteller, instrument-builder and educator Cooper-Moore’s approach to music has gone beyond simple categorization. His work emerged from the jazz avant-garde, but never lost sight of the traditions he deems so important. This adherence to tradition is reflected in his name, derived from the family names of his two grandmothers and adopted in 1985.

Cooper-Moore’s interest in theater informs his entire oeuvre: his music is as theatrical as his stories are musical. His pianism can invoke moment-to-moment shades of Cecil Taylor’s multilinear constructs or Jaki Byard’s historically informed paraphrases. It exists, as one of his album titles proclaims, Deep in the Neighborhood of History and Influence.

Whether playing piano or any one of his homemade instruments, his music exudes a striking directness and simplicity that evokes everything from rhythm and blues to the simplest vocal monody. These points of reference lend his music multileveled appeal while always allowing for a fresh approach to composition and performance. They harken back to the infinitely complex yet starkly simple myths from which human communities draw for continued survival; for Cooper-Moore, this is as it should be. “We often forget the simplest human emotions, and it’s part of my job as a musician, as a performer, to remind people.”

JEREMY BARNES:

A native of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Jeremy Barnes began playing music professionally at the age of 19, with a then unknown psych/folk band called Neutral Milk Hotel. After touring extensively in the U.S and Europe, the band split up and Barnes moved to Chicago, where he worked at the Hothouse (Center for Creative Music), where he met many of the improvising music scene's greats- Roscoe Mitchell, William Parker, Han Bennink and Cooper Moore, among others. He moved to France in 2000, where he formed the project A Hawk and A Hacksaw. After a few albums and tours of Europe and The U.S., the band was awarded a grant from the Arts Council of England, which funded a high profile tour of the UK as well as an ongoing collaboration with 4 Hungarian folk musicians. In 2007 they were also awarded best live music performance at the Brighton Fringe Festival in Brighton, England. Barnes and Heather Trost, violinist in A Hawk and a Hacksaw, moved to Budapest for two years as a result of the Arts Council grant and tour. . In 2008 they returned home to New Mexico, and have toured more in the U.S. and Europe as well as Australia, Israel, and Turkey. They sold out the Outpost performance space in the fall of 2009.

The Cooper-Moore/Barnes duo is a new project that the two have discussed for years. They will be recording an album in the Spring and playing shows in New York in June of 2010.


ELECTRIC ENSEMBLE / The Chuppers

Electric Ensemble is a collaboration between the UNM Music Dept., UBIK Sound and IFDM ARTSLab. Each Chupper is a unique amalgam of old and new technology, including audio processors, speakers, computers, microphones, cameras, traditional and non-traditional instruments, projectors, etc.  Analog, digital: anything electric, with an emphasis on collaboration - respecting musicianship as well as recognizing the technician as artist.  Standing on the shoulders of giants, we boldly go where others have gone before. Facilitated by Manny Rettinger

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

FREE - Beginning Animation Workshop Series



A great opportunity for aspiring animators -- here's the info from the NM Film Office:

Dear Filmmakers,

 

If you or anyone you know if interested in learning beginning animation, please see the below announcement for a FREE animation workshops series offered by one of our 2009 New Visions winners, Xuan Chen, in Albuquerque.  As many of you know, the New Visions award program is a funding opportunity for local filmmakers supported by the Governor and the state legislature: (http://nmfilm.com/locals/nm-filmmakers/new-visions-contract-awards.php).  Xuan was one of eleven winners this year – and one of only two winners who received an award for an experimental project.  In return for these awards, winners provide a wide range of community service to the state in their field of expertise – all free and open to the public.  See details below to find out more (no experience required), and contact Xuan to RSVP:

 

 

Animated Film Workshops

Five-Week Session with Instructor Xuan Chen

In collaboration with New Visions/New Mexico and the NM Film Office

 

WHEN:

Saturdays in March and April, 2010

(Mar 27th, Apr 3rd, Apr 10th, Apr 17th, Apr 24th)

WHERE:

UNM Campus in Albuquerque, 1:00pm to 4:00pm

WHAT:

Beginning Animation Classes – Learn basic stop motion techniques using Adobe Photoshop and Flash.  Learn how to distribute your film on line, and many other helpful hints for beginning animators.  Attendees will publish their 30-second animated film on their own website.  Free to New Mexicans!

 

DEADLINE TO RESPOND:  March 11, 2010

 

Requirements:

Basic computer skills

Ability to bring one's own laptop to class

Preference:

Adobe Photoshop installed on your laptop (preferred but not required)

Contact:

Xuan Chen, Art and Art History Department, UNM

xdchen2004@gmail.com

If interested, please email Xuan BY MARCH 11th, 2010.

You will be informed shortly afterwards whether you're accepted based on seating limitations. 

Please type "Animated Film Workshop" in the subject line of your e-mail,

and list your computer skills and proficiency in the main text.  

If applicable, please also indicate what Adobe Software is installed in your computer.

 

 

nm filmmakers

Trish Lopez

NM Filmmakers Program Director

NM Film Office

418 Montezuma Ave.

Santa Fe, NM  87501

(505) 476-5611 | trish@nmfilm.com | www.nmfilm.com

 

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

D&AD Showreel Screening 2/25


D&AD 2009 Showreel Screening at ARTS Lab

The biggest and the best, rewarding outstanding creativity, mold-breaking thinking and the highest standard of design and innovation.

What:     D&AD Showreel Screening
Where:   UNM ARTS Lab, 131 Pine St.,. NE
Cost:      FREE!
How:      Just show up :)

Thanks to Brooks Walch of Design is Casual for organizing this!

What is D&AD?

D&AD makes a difference...

Our awards programme is embedded in curriculums in over 1,000 colleges and courses around the world

The D&AD Student Awards programme is, in essence, the design and advertising communities award for those looking to break into the industry.

In putting together this programme we aim to do two things: Firstly, find the best new talent for the industry, and secondly, to put creativity high on the agenda in the higher and further education curriculum. We look to do both of these things on a global level.

More at: http://www.dandad.org/

Friday, February 19, 2010

Digital Lunch @ UNM - Starting Next Week!

Heads up!

ARTS Lab is working with community partners like Cinnafilm and UNM's Advanced Graphics Lab to present a Friday lunchtime series on topics in digital media -- our first session will be an introduction to Motion Capture with ARTS Lab's Jesus Valdez and Hue Walker on Friday, February 26th from noon to 1 PM.

Please join us in ARTS Lab's Black Box space to learn more about basic set up and use of our Vicon Motion Capture system.

WHEN:      Friday, February 26th 12:00 - 1:00 PM
WHERE:    ARTS Lab Garage, 131 Pine St., NE
COST:        (Currently) Free!
HOW:         Just show up!

More information on the rest of the series to follow.

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Gale Memorial Lecture Series - TONIGHT!



 (Still from 'Reborn, 2009, 10 minute 3-channel video installation)

This afternoon at ARTS lab we're pleased to welcome back the Gale Memorial Lecture Series with interdisciplinary artist, Desirée Holman.

WHEN: Thursday, February 18th at 5pm
WHERE: ARTS Lab Garage,  131 Pine St. NE
Directions at: http://artslab.unm.edu/where.html

DESIREE HOLMAN
http://www.desireeholman.com

Desirée Holman is an Oakland, California-based interdisciplinary artist. Her process involves fabricating (or, less frequently, appropriating) figurative props, which are manipulated in role-playing games. The work questions what games of make-believe, like the ones created in her work or ones created in multi-user online games or elsewhere, can tell us about our behaviors in the ‘real’ world. Holman was recently awarded a San Francisco Modern Museum of Art SECA award and an 2007 Artadia: The Fund for Art and Dialogue award. Her work has been exhibited internationally at venues such as the Sao Paulo Museum of Modern Art, Hessel Museum, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art; Milan’s BnD, Toronto’s YYZ, The Hudson Valley Center for Contemporary Art; Berkeley Art Museum and Lisa Boyle Gallery in Chicago. In 1999, directly after completing her BFA in sculpture at CCA, Desirée attended the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture. She graduated with her MFA from UC Berkeley in 2002. Her work has been reviewed in publications such as Artforum, Los Angeles Times, NY Arts, Artillery, San Francisco Chronicle, and Artweek. The Hammer Museum mounted the first solo museum exhibition of her work in November 2009. Holman is represented by San Francisco’s Silverman Gallery.

Thursday, February 11, 2010

SIGGRAPH THIS SATURDAY @ ARTS LAB

We're especially glad to welcome SIGGRAPH's new chapter to ARTS Lab this Saturday -- when we'll connect with Las Cruces live to share and discuss experiences during the recent Global Game Jam.

I think we're all glad that SIGGRAPH we'll be helping bring New Mexico's Digital Media Community together.

From Chapter leader Rachel Nicoll:


February Meeting: IGDA presents Global Game Jam
Saturday, February 13th, 4pm

Hello!
I hope everyone had a good holiday.
Our first Siggraph event of the year will be a presentation by our local IGDA chapter showcasing the results of their Global Game Jam event.

What is Global Game Jam?
GGJ is a challenging worldwide event whose “biggest goal is to provide opportunities, help developers explore their creativity and allow everyone in our community to work together. “
It will be taking place January 29-31 at both the UNM ARTSLab under leadership of Eric Renz-Whitmore and down south under the direction of Barbara Chamberlin at the NMSU Learning Games Lab.
You can still register to take part in the actual Global Game Jam as well!

Links to sign up:
North: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/GGJ_Abq
South: http://www.globalgamejam.org/sites/new-mexico-state-university-learning-games-lab-and-dacc

Links for further info:
http://www.globalgamejam.org/
http://groups.google.com/group/riogrande-igda?hl=en
http://aces.nmsu.edu/learninggamesinitiative/index.html

WHAT: Siggraph meeting – IGDA presents Global Game Jam
DATE: Saturday, February 13th (2nd Saturday of the month)
TIME: 4pm socializing, 4:30pm meeting & presentation starts
WHERE:
UNM ARTSLab
131 Pine St., NE
Albuquerque, NM 87106
or
NMSU DACC Campus
3400 South Espina St
Las Cruces, New Mexico 88003-8001

There will be video conferencing between the two locations as set up by our Connectivity Council.
The actual Global Game Jam is a test run of the system!

I hope to see you there!
-Rachel