Comments on: Andrew Kaufman | 9.2 – 9.20.2008 http://wmuvideo.wordpress.com/2008/06/27/andrew-kaufman/ Frostic School of Art Video and Sound Art Series - Western Michigan University Mon, 23 Mar 2009 21:09:02 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: zac http://wmuvideo.wordpress.com/2008/06/27/andrew-kaufman/#comment-139 zac Sat, 13 Dec 2008 22:58:19 +0000 http://wmuvideo.wordpress.com/?p=73#comment-139 When Kaufman explains that he showed End Trajectory with reassembled drinking glasses of pedestals and connection to September 11, I began to wonder why the significance of only 5 glasses were broken. World Trade Center 7 instantly popped in my head. Was he unveiling the truth about building 7? Are the reassembled glasses shown to be the presence of a "rebuilt" memorial to the broken glasses in the video? I also am intrigued of the use of the half full glasses. I wonder what the idea was behind that... When Kaufman explains that he showed End Trajectory with reassembled drinking glasses of pedestals and connection to September 11, I began to wonder why the significance of only 5 glasses were broken. World Trade Center 7 instantly popped in my head. Was he unveiling the truth about building 7? Are the reassembled glasses shown to be the presence of a “rebuilt” memorial to the broken glasses in the video? I also am intrigued of the use of the half full glasses. I wonder what the idea was behind that…

]]> By: Brandon Cady http://wmuvideo.wordpress.com/2008/06/27/andrew-kaufman/#comment-137 Brandon Cady Thu, 11 Dec 2008 05:02:44 +0000 http://wmuvideo.wordpress.com/?p=73#comment-137 I definitely did not realize the hands were different until it was mentioned to me, it definitely takes on a new light once you realize that. Then the project seems to be alot more about teamwork and struggling past one persons individual ideas and conceptions to come up with something that works for the whole. I found the sound for it a little distracting, even though it was "airplane" related. I definitely did not realize the hands were different until it was mentioned to me, it definitely takes on a new light once you realize that. Then the project seems to be alot more about teamwork and struggling past one persons individual ideas and conceptions to come up with something that works for the whole. I found the sound for it a little distracting, even though it was “airplane” related.

]]> By: Jessie http://wmuvideo.wordpress.com/2008/06/27/andrew-kaufman/#comment-132 Jessie Tue, 02 Dec 2008 20:45:44 +0000 http://wmuvideo.wordpress.com/?p=73#comment-132 The video End Trajectory is interesting. The shattering glass and the sound that went with it really get you to jump the first few times you passed or watched the video. I think this is a good image and sound to express the shock one might have felt over 9/11. In Conquest of the Air I didn't get that there where two different hands trying to work together to make a paper plane at first. It had to be awkward working with someone else's hand. I like the sound that goes with this video too, it fits very well. The video End Trajectory is interesting. The shattering glass and the sound that went with it really get you to jump the first few times you passed or watched the video. I think this is a good image and sound to express the shock one might have felt over 9/11.
In Conquest of the Air I didn’t get that there where two different hands trying to work together to make a paper plane at first. It had to be awkward working with someone else’s hand. I like the sound that goes with this video too, it fits very well.

]]> By: Morgana http://wmuvideo.wordpress.com/2008/06/27/andrew-kaufman/#comment-116 Morgana Tue, 11 Nov 2008 23:19:12 +0000 http://wmuvideo.wordpress.com/?p=73#comment-116 Walking down the hall and then suddenly hearing a glass break, the sound really reverberates through the halls and sort of just jarred me out of whatever thoughts that I was contemplating at the time. I feel like the video takes a background the the sound in this one, because the sound is what really gets the viewers attention and brings that attention to the video. Walking down the hall and then suddenly hearing a glass break, the sound really reverberates through the halls and sort of just jarred me out of whatever thoughts that I was contemplating at the time. I feel like the video takes a background the the sound in this one, because the sound is what really gets the viewers attention and brings that attention to the video.

]]> By: anne http://wmuvideo.wordpress.com/2008/06/27/andrew-kaufman/#comment-105 anne Thu, 18 Sep 2008 20:37:30 +0000 http://wmuvideo.wordpress.com/?p=73#comment-105 I think Kaufman created a very interesting piece of art: First, when I watched it, I didn't realize immediately that these are hands of two persons. You have to sharpen your look, Kaufman hides the obvious and this can only be done like this through the video camera. This medium decides what you shall see and it has control over our perception. This is a good idea about the use of the camera, even though he uses this medium in a very simple way just holding in one direction. The title 'Conquest of the Air' is kind of ironic, because the steps to create this paper- airplane and its outlook are more for a children- game. Just the contrasting sound in the background awakes the impression of a conquest of the air. I think Kaufman created a very interesting piece of art: First, when I watched it, I didn’t realize immediately that these are hands of two persons. You have to sharpen your look, Kaufman hides the obvious and this can only be done like this through the video camera. This medium decides what you shall see and it has control over our perception.
This is a good idea about the use of the camera, even though he uses this medium in a very simple way just holding in one direction.
The title ‘Conquest of the Air’ is kind of ironic, because the steps to create this paper- airplane and its outlook are more for a children- game. Just the contrasting sound in the background awakes the impression of a conquest of the air.

]]> By: Brandon http://wmuvideo.wordpress.com/2008/06/27/andrew-kaufman/#comment-104 Brandon Thu, 18 Sep 2008 20:34:01 +0000 http://wmuvideo.wordpress.com/?p=73#comment-104 The first thing I noticed in this video (Conquest) was the awkwardness of the hands. As a viewer you want them to accomplish the goal of constructing the airplane faster and more efficiently. After that comes the sound, it almost adds a comical feel to the video. Because a real airplane is a lot more tangible than something making paper, so it seems very unreal to hear that kind of sound. I can imagine some little kid flying around with the paper airplane making whooshing noises. I can see where his concepts are drawn to into the video.. The collaboration between old and young, male and female, etc. incorporeal hands working together to build something. I wish there was more substance to the video though, it seems almost too "on purpose". There aren't many elements to it, and they are all direct and very deliberate, repeating ad-nauseam. Other than that, I would agree with the video's intent, it definitely makes the viewer stop and think. The first thing I noticed in this video (Conquest) was the awkwardness of the hands. As a viewer you want them to accomplish the goal of constructing the airplane faster and more efficiently. After that comes the sound, it almost adds a comical feel to the video. Because a real airplane is a lot more tangible than something making paper, so it seems very unreal to hear that kind of sound. I can imagine some little kid flying around with the paper airplane making whooshing noises.

I can see where his concepts are drawn to into the video.. The collaboration between old and young, male and female, etc. incorporeal hands working together to build something. I wish there was more substance to the video though, it seems almost too “on purpose”. There aren’t many elements to it, and they are all direct and very deliberate, repeating ad-nauseam.

Other than that, I would agree with the video’s intent, it definitely makes the viewer stop and think.

]]> By: brooke http://wmuvideo.wordpress.com/2008/06/27/andrew-kaufman/#comment-103 brooke Thu, 18 Sep 2008 20:29:34 +0000 http://wmuvideo.wordpress.com/?p=73#comment-103 once i realized that this was two separate people's hands, i thought this to be very playful and fun. i think that the sound adds comedy, the fact that the hands are the only thing visible of the people in it adds the invisibility, and the perception leads you at first to think that it is only one person. it may have some implications towards 9/11, but overall i think that this was simply a fun moment of collaboration caught on film. once i realized that this was two separate people’s hands, i thought this to be very playful and fun. i think that the sound adds comedy, the fact that the hands are the only thing visible of the people in it adds the invisibility, and the perception leads you at first to think that it is only one person. it may have some implications towards 9/11, but overall i think that this was simply a fun moment of collaboration caught on film.

]]> By: Nick http://wmuvideo.wordpress.com/2008/06/27/andrew-kaufman/#comment-102 Nick Thu, 18 Sep 2008 20:29:04 +0000 http://wmuvideo.wordpress.com/?p=73#comment-102 I'm torn between the thoughts of wether this video is a symbol/metaphor for something or if it is the process it self that is making the statement. If Kaufman's work is about his experiences with society then the video is simply the conduit through which the experience is communicated and it is the act itself that holds significance. However, if it is the idea that chooses the medium then the fact that it is a video holds significance. Kaufman states that his work is meant to have the viewer engage the work however possible, which applies to both sides of my thinking ... I'm lost in my own analysis. I’m torn between the thoughts of wether this video is a symbol/metaphor for something or if it is the process it self that is making the statement. If Kaufman’s work is about his experiences with society then the video is simply the conduit through which the experience is communicated and it is the act itself that holds significance. However, if it is the idea that chooses the medium then the fact that it is a video holds significance. Kaufman states that his work is meant to have the viewer engage the work however possible, which applies to both sides of my thinking … I’m lost in my own analysis.

]]> By: Kevin G http://wmuvideo.wordpress.com/2008/06/27/andrew-kaufman/#comment-101 Kevin G Thu, 18 Sep 2008 20:25:07 +0000 http://wmuvideo.wordpress.com/?p=73#comment-101 The use of paper which contains information about airplanes has me wondering if there is a deeper meaning of the paper that is used. I am not sure if the arms placed as they are is the best method for the veiwer. Strangers doing this with other strangers would be great to see live The use of paper which contains information about airplanes has me wondering if there is a deeper meaning of the paper that is used. I am not sure if the arms placed as they are is the best method for the veiwer. Strangers doing this with other strangers would be great to see live

]]> By: Adrienne Marks http://wmuvideo.wordpress.com/2008/06/27/andrew-kaufman/#comment-100 Adrienne Marks Thu, 18 Sep 2008 20:25:05 +0000 http://wmuvideo.wordpress.com/?p=73#comment-100 These videos are a little deceptive, they tricked me into watching them. Their simplicity draws the viewer in to see if there is something there and then the deeper meaning sort of unfolds for the viewer. Like the Hold On/ Hold Up video, at first glance it's one of the most boring sights, but as it progresses it I found myself flinching as his arms showed more and more strain. It is the simpleness of the backgrounds and subject matter force the viewer to become involved. These videos are a little deceptive, they tricked me into watching them. Their simplicity draws the viewer in to see if there is something there and then the deeper meaning sort of unfolds for the viewer. Like the Hold On/ Hold Up video, at first glance it’s one of the most boring sights, but as it progresses it I found myself flinching as his arms showed more and more strain. It is the simpleness of the backgrounds and subject matter force the viewer to become involved.

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