Week 13 – Artist Interview – Shihori Nakayama

My artist interview for week 13 is Shihori Nakayama.

Nakayama’s artwork involves drawing very detailed images of people and places that are important to her. She not only uses pictures, but also memories that she has of certain people or places for he artwork. She tries to reclaim certain moments in her life and create her own visual interpretation of how she feels. Nakayama tries to create her own imaginary world and show it to the viewers. She uses her artwork to express herself to others. When she works on her artwork, she likes to be in an environment where she can relax and do other things while working. She tries to do other things while working on her artwork so she does not get bored focused solely on drawing. Things that she likes to do is play music or watch anime on the side.

I really like Nakayama’s style of artwork. The drawing is very detailed to to point where you would be engrossed in the drawing. It was so detailed that I got lost looking at the different parts and the story that comes with it. I could tell that a lot of time was spent on the artwork. I could also see a part of her life when I look at the artwork. I can see the things that she likes, the different people that she knows and the things she has seen.

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Week 10 – Classmate Interview – Hung Trinh

My classmate interview for week 10 is Hung Trinh. Hung is a Sophomore who is currently studying Health Care at California State Long Beach. Hung is Vietnamese and was born in Vietnam. He and his family moved to America when he was around 7 years of age. He told me how when he moved to America, he struggled through elementary school because he had to deal with bullies. Not only did he go to school where there was little Asian students, but his English was not that good. He went to a school where the student body was mostly of Mexican/ Hispanics. He hated elementary school because of the bullyings, but as he got older and made more friends, life in school got better. In High School, he liked to play sports like basketball or just went fishing when he can. The high school he went to was Westminster High.

He told me about some background information about his family and their journey to America. Hung’s parents did not graduate high school and did not have that great of an education. His parents were about to speak Vietnamese, Mandarin, and some English. Hung only speaks to his parents in Vietnamese and does not understand Mandarin very well. If his parents try to talk to him in Mandarin, it takes him a while to process what they say. It was great talking to Hung because I was able to hear a story about someone who was not born in America who had to move and adapt to a new environment. I was born in America so I do not know what it is like to be in his situation, but non the less I am glad to have heard his story. It gives me a better understanding of what it is like for people who came to America from a different country.

Hung Trinh (left), Me (right)

Week 8 – Classmate Interview – Nathan Baldonado

My classmate interview for week 8 is Nathan Baldonado.

Nathan is a freshman studying film at CSULB. He is the first person who I have met who was taking ART-110 because it was a required course. The people that I have interviewed before would say that they had to take ART because it was a GE requirement, but not for Nathan. At first he was majoring in Child development, but his friends convinced him to change to film. He wants to be a Cinematographer in the future ideally. According to Nathan,  film is very competitive and hard to get into the program. He went to Whittney High school and lives close to where I was from as well. He goes to 626 Night Market that takes place every year at Santa Anita Race Tracks.

Nathan likes to play video games like me, but he prefers to play FPS games. FPS games are games in a First Person Shooter style game play. He doesn’t really play any sports and is said to be nonathletic.  He mentioned his brother who was the exact opposite of him. His brother would be into sports like basketball and play a lot. Nathan on the other hand likes the art side of things and is not really into physical activities. Also Nathan likes to go back home every now and then. His parents want him to go back every week!

Week 6 – Activity – Yarn Bombing

I don’t know where the CSULlB SOA Fiber Arts facilities are located, so I was only able to get a picture from the 2nd Floor of FA2. I don’t know if I just couldn’t find it or it was because of the construction and the place got relocated. I did visit the building, so I just took a picture of the new area after the construction. It was interesting seeing the new addition for students to relax.

For my yarn bombing, I didn’t knit anything, but I did cut my shirt and tie it to my lamp. At first I didn’t want to cut the shirt because it would be a waste, but I wasn’t going to wear it anymore so I guess…why not? It wasn’t too difficult and was a different experience then the Graffiti Writing activity. For the Graffiti Writing, you just had a flat surface where you would draw something, but for the fiber activity, you are dealing with materials. I felt that you had to think more as to what you want to do for the fiber activity because compared to drawing, you can just draw whatever comes to mind. For the fiber activity, you have to decide on what you want to do with the fibers you have. You can say it took more labor for the fiber activity. I don’t think fiber art has much to do with gender in my opinion. If it was fun, then anyone should be able to do it without being judged by others.

I thought the fiber tying was interesting. I tied it to my hand… 😀

Mr. Lamp

On the second floor of FA2 building

My hand.

Week 6 – Artist Interview – Emily Babbette

My artist interview for week 6 is Emily Babbette. Her artwork involves drawing in mostly black, gray, and white. This is my first time interviewing an artist that uses her friends and family as models for her artworks. Emily likes figurative art with music and culture. It takes roughly 30- 40 hours for her to complete one painting. Each session with the models last about 3 hours, with 3 sessions a day. It requires the model to stay still for 3 hours while she draws. She would go to them in order to draw her artwork.

I really like how Emily uses her family and friends as models for her artwork. It takes hard work and a lot of time to create one piece of work. It is tiring for both the model and the artist. I like how detailed her artwork is when portraying the models. It looks really detailed and one can tell that a lot of time and effort was spent to draw it. I enjoyed interviewing Emily because the way she talks is energizing. I enjoyed listening to her talk about her art and what she does as an artist.

Week 5 – Activity – Kick Starters

While watching the video game kickstarter videos, I think the Underworld Ascendant game is better compaired to the Shadowstar Corsirs board game. Even though these two are different types of games, I would say the Underworld video by OtherSide Entertainment presented their kickstarter in a better fashion. When I was watchin Underworld Ascendant, they talk about their previous games and what they want to do with this game. They had different people talk about their game and had a sort of music background going on while the video is running. They make their game sound like something that would be worth investing in.

The second games is Shadowstar Corsairs and I found it not as appealing as the other game. When I was watching the video, I was not impressed as to what they were starting. The video had some animations, but I felt that it was boring. The speaker had a monotone way of speaking and it did not grab my attention. If I had to give an advise, I would say to present the game with more enthusiasm. They should improve on their ability to convince the audience that their product is worth investing in.

Video Games

Underworld Ascendant

by OtherSide Entertainment

Shadowstar Corsairs

by Ryan Wolfe

The second area I choose was Technology between two different cameras. The first one is the GoPro and the other one is a Cycling Accessory. I think they are both pretty good ideas, but I felt that the GoPro was more convincing in presenting their product. They both give good examples throughout their video advertising their product, but I felt that the person who is presenting the GoPro did a better job. The person in the GoPro video was very energetic and outgoing when she was trying to present her camera.

Unlike the Cycling Accessory presenter where they would talk in a normal voice. It did not sound like they were excited or happy. They way they talked just seemed normal. They did not try to give a smile or anything compared to the first video. I believe the best way to convince others is to present yourself as someone who looks convincing…if that makes any sense… Well anyways, I would invest in GoPro because their video gave a happier mood.

Technology

CAMpanion: Enhance Your GoPro

by CAMpanion

http://kck.st/1yLxeFJ

Fly12 Cycling Accessory | 1080p Camera & Front Light Combo

by Andrew Hagen & Kingsley Fiegert

http://kck.st/1ClXvbo

Week 5 – Artist Interview – Work Hardened

Although this post says Artist Interview, the art gallery has art displayed by more then one artist. The group of artist work with different metals in order to sculpt their artworks. The person who was there who talked about the artworks was Brianna Allen. She talked about her artwork and what their group is like. The group’s works consist of soldering, wielding, riveting, and other techniques using different materials. The materials can consist of metal, plastic, and sand. Brianna likes to use as much materials as she can depending on what she is trying to do. She is inspired buy the work of other people. She would observe the works of others and use that as an inspiration.

She has traveled to Germany before and if I heard correctly, she is currently living somewhere close to Long beach port. If you take a look at their artworks, you can tell that it is very interesting and not the usual art that involve a canvas and paint. One of her work was the Chess pieces on a sand tiled chess board. I though that was very interesting and beautiful. Not only that, but the other sculptures as well. Everything reminding me of items that you would find under the sea or stuff from the past. Stuff that would be considered treasures from the past.

Unfortunately I do not have a picture of Brianna. She said that she does not like to have her picture taken. That was a reason why she does not use Facebook. So I decided not to take a picture of her. But you can look at the beautiful artworks instead!