R.I.P. Rest in Pieces: A Portrait of Joe Coleman Directed by Robert-Adrian Pejo

For the uninitiated, Joe Coleman paints meticulously constructed circus-dream visions that often depict serial killers and does performance pieces in which he bites the heads off rats and sets off explosions on his own body. One Chicago performance found him arrested and charged with “possession of an Infernal Machine” (a machine or apparatus maliciously designed to explode and destroy life or property) — a charge not levied against anyone since the 19th Century. Continue reading “R.I.P. Rest in Pieces: A Portrait of Joe Coleman Directed by Robert-Adrian Pejo”

The Architect’s Brother by Robert ParkeHarrison

The pieces in Robert ParkeHarrison‘s The Architect’s Brother depict a character named “Everyman” coping with a number of distraught scenarios in which the pace of technology has out-stepped the resources of the earth. As tired as this theme may sound, ParkeHarrison brings a new perspective to each of many glimpses of these possible futures. These images are riddled with melancholy, but the weight is ultimately lifted by an unflagging belief in human agency. Continue reading “The Architect’s Brother by Robert ParkeHarrison”

Centripedal Sound installation by Matt Heckert

All of my work ends up sounding like a train somehow. — Matt Heckert

I first became acquainted with Matt Heckert‘s work through issue #8 of Andy Jenkins’ Bend zine. There was a picture of Survival Research Laboratories‘ “Walk-Peck” machine and it was credited to one Matt Heckert. This was the Summer of 1986. Matt has long since departed from SRL with his work and his work’s aims. Continue reading “Centripedal Sound installation by Matt Heckert”

Manufacturing Dissent

I’m not much of a painter, but I found this canvas by a dumpster on my way home from campus one day here in San Diego. I had a tube of black and a tube of white acrylic paint left from my last stint attempting to paint, so I decided to try a new one. This piece was inspired by Kate Hayles’ book Writing Machines, code poetry, and (obviously) Noam Chomsky. Continue reading “Manufacturing Dissent”

Brenda Laurel: Utopian Entrepreneur

Brenda LaurelWith over twenty-five years exploring human-computer interaction, Brenda Laurel is an unsung veteran of the field. Her doctoral dissertation was the first to propose a comprehensive architecture for computer-based interactive fantasy and fiction. Laurel was one of the founding members of the research staff at Interval Research Corporation in Palo Alto, California, where she coordinated research activities exploring gender and technology, and where she co-produced and directed the Placeholder Virtual Reality project. She was also one of the founders and VP of design of a spin-off company from Interval — Purple Moon — formed to market products based on this research. Her latest book, Utopian Entrepreneur (MIT Press, 2001), explores the struggles she dealt with at Purple Moon — attempting to perform socially conscious work in the context of business. Continue reading “Brenda Laurel: Utopian Entrepreneur”

Cynthia Connolly: The Punk Stays in the Picture

Cynthia ConnollyCynthia Connolly has been a fixture in the DC punk rock scene since its voice started echoing out of the Capital. The independent stalwarts of Dischord in DC, K Records, and Killrockstars in Olympia, WA are among her friends and her photo subjects: She takes pictures and makes postcards — one series of which was of many of these musicians and their cars. Continue reading “Cynthia Connolly: The Punk Stays in the Picture”

Peter Lunenfeld: Critic as Curator

Peter LunenfeldPeter Lunenfeld is the director of the Institute for Technology and Aesthetics (ITA) and teaches in the graduate Media Design program at Art Center College of Design. He is considered one of the preeminent critics and theorists of the intersections of art, design, and technology. Afterimage referred to his edited collection, The Digital Dialectic: New Essays on New Media (MIT Press, 1999) as “the first printed book you read about the virtual world that does not merely describe it, but puts you there.” Continue reading “Peter Lunenfeld: Critic as Curator”

Shepard Fairey: Giant Steps

Shepard FaireyYou’ve seen them: “Andre the Giant has a Posse” stickers, “Obey Giant” posters, Andre’s face covering entire sides of buildings. You’ve seen them and you’ve wondered what it was all about. And once you found out, perhaps you wondered why.

Nearly the entire world has unknowingly fallen prey to Shepard Fairey’s phenomenological street-media experiment. Long-time friend Paul D. Miller recently described Shepard’s postering activities as “obsessive.” Continue reading “Shepard Fairey: Giant Steps”