Yvette Campagna – Virus Storyboard from Barry Jones on Vimeo.

They guys who started it all.

This isn’t a new work by Alex, but it’s a good one. After this week, there should be more to see from this semester.

here’s the stupid link

I stumbled upon this video still from “Whose Utopia” by Cao Fei at the current Carnegie International website.   I have not seen the video myself, but I am extremely taken by this image.  Here is what the Carnegie site says about the piece:

“Set in a lightbulb factory in Foshan (and originally commissioned by electronics giant Siemens), the film Whose Utopia (2006-2007) might be read as a eulogy to China’s recent economic and manufacturing boom. Amid scenes dominated by almost hypnotic “mechanical ballets” of assembly-line processes and movements—neon tubes being soldered or tested, for example—there are sequences in which individual workers from the facility perform literal dances of their own. Dressed in decidedly non-company-issue clothing, these men and women are seen moving gracefully between the machines, like sprites consumed by an entirely personal, whimsical, and perhaps defiant choreography. Their escapist “purposeless” performances effect a stark contrast with seemingly relentless progress as the production of consumer goods continues unabated around them. The dances seem to bring a more spiritual dimension into the regular and no doubt less emotionally illuminating activities in the bulb factory.”

What a beautiful concept.  If anyone finds the video on-line, please let me know. 

Alex didn’t actually create this video for one of my classes, I stumbled upon it at his facebook profile.  I selected it not just because it is very good, but because I am very impressed by how hard Alex works and how much work he makes on his own.  He doesn’t wait for a class assignment to create something.

Ben Stokes created the visuals for DJ Shadows 2006 world tour.  I get goose bumps every time I see a photo from one of the shows.  Good lord it looks incredible!