I just downloaded this Cinemagram app on my iphone the other day and have become a big fan.. could lead to a slight obsession. The thrill of taking digital photos (Instagram) has mostly disappeared for me, but now I find myself staring around at everything and wanting to capture the slight moments of life. the 2 seconds of movement. This app is perfect for that.. it does not feel like video – a slightly different endeavor. This is something else. Animated gifs.. now I can create my own.
I was at a presentation last week filled with animated gifs – which made the material a lot more entertaining and interesting. So now as I prepare a presentation at work, I am on a rampage going through and finding select animated gifs to convey what might otherwise be a bit of a bland digital marketing strategy. I have come across quite a few rather funny ones that I will not include in my work, but at least I can post here.
Buy-side, programmatic, allocations, key communication thought (KCT), archetypes, DPS, attribution.. these are some of the new words that have emerged into my vocabulary over the last month. After spending the last 10+ years working in creative advertising as a planner/strategist, I am glad to have a few new terms I can toss around.. beyond engaging, emerging, user-centric… etc. etc (check this site out for the best use of buzz terms: http://thedigitalexecutioner.com)
Yet, more interesting than buzz terms, is that advertising and media actually utilize many of the same words, many of the same strategic processes, and propose many of the same creative ideas. Ten years ago, I would not have considered working in media because I thought it was all numbers crunching and sales deals, however the world of media today seems a lot more interesting – in fact, it’s not media – it’s communications planning. I think the opportunity for media agencies is to not only bring the quantifiable, ROI and precision to marketing ideas, but also to bring forth comprehensive planning solutions that include creative and media innovation. Ideally, going forth these two worlds will be integrated. After all, most people who do not work in the industry, assume media and advertising are the same, except internally we create the confusion.
Volta was at the top of my list this year in terms of the Art Fairs. On 34th Street, between 5th and 6th ave, the fair is on the 11th floor within a wide space. LED screens, often with video, continue to be an increasingly popular media. Here were some of my favorites.
James Clar @ Volta
James Clar @ Volta
Ken Matsubara @ Volta
Other interesting works – Mark Khaisman’s translucent packing tape, applied to clear Plexiglas and placed in front of a light box, which was also exhibited last year. Patrick Jacobs: 3D dioramas viewed through a circular window of glass lens installed within the gallery wall, and metal sculpture by Shin Il Kim, mixed Media by Ericka Keck, photography by Carina Linge and paintings by Ryan Mendoza and Andre Dubravsky.
Mark Khaisman @ Volta
Patrick Jacobs @ Volta
Shin Il Kim @ Volta
Erika Keck @ Volta
Carina Linge @ Volta
Ryan Mendoza @ Volta
Andre J Dubravsky @ Volta
The other Art Fairs I attended this weekend included the Independent Show in Chelsea in the DIA Space spread over 4 floors. There were a mix of works – ranging from installations, sculpture, to prints and paintings and drawings. Unfortunately I found it difficult to identify the artists – so I have included 3 works but 2 lack names.
Sculpture @ the Independent
Pae White @ the Independent
Charcoal drawing @ the Independent
I was not expecting much this year at the Fountain Art Fair as my experience last year at the Frying Pan was chaotic – and I was not too impressed with the work. This year’s venue at the Armory on 25th was much better because there was more space and the works were clearly more organized. However, the quality of the art was still rather uneven – some fresh and original ideas, yet there was also some other works that were just bleh and a bit cliche. I did enjoy the live music and these works.
Gilf! @ Fountain
@ Fountain
Mark Demos @ Fountain
Lastly, I also went to check out the NEW CITY / HPGRP Japaense Cotemporary Art show – but that was a disappointment, as the work looked cluttered and badly installed and felt a bit outdated. However, in the same building on west 20th is BitForms Gallery and I ended up seeing a great installation by the artist Zimoun, which I highly recommend and have included two pics and a video below. His works are fascinating.
I went to check out the Korean Art Show in Soho on Thursday afternoon. It was a nice space – 2 large rooms split with about 15 small gallery areas, and it was rather empty so easy to walk around and enjoy. Most all the works seemed meticulously developed and/or displayed. I appreciated the diligence – the attention to the details and the refinement.. and there was still a good element of freshness. and some humor. Here are some of my favorites:
Going home on the 6 train
