Information Arts: Intersections of Art, Science, and Technology (Leonardo Books)

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If art is our most reliable oracle, then the future looks cool, digital, and expensive. Stephen Wilson's massive Information Arts compiles notes on and samples of the work of over 200 artists, organized loosely by scientific discipline. Artists drawing inspiration from cell cultures, GPS, robots, surveillance databases, and other technological muses receive a page or two of commentary, often including their own statements and critical reviews.

The image selection is only adequate and often puzzling--why show a photograph of an installation meant to be experienced in total darkness, for example? Still, as a reference and resource guide, Information Arts is without parallel, especially for the largest section, covering computer-related or -aided artworks. Deep research, engaging prose, and copious listings of further information make it essential for exploring the avant. --Rob Lightner

Book Description

A new breed of contemporary artist engages science and technology--not just to adopt the vocabulary and gizmos, but to explore and comment on the content, agendas, and possibilities. Indeed, proposes Stephen Wilson, the role of the artist is not only to interpret and to spread scientific knowledge, but to be an active partner in determining the direction of research. Years ago, C. P. Snow wrote about the "two cultures" of science and the humanities; these developments may finally help to change the outlook of those who view science and technology as separate from the general culture.

In this rich compendium, Wilson offers the first comprehensive survey of international artists who incorporate concepts and research from mathematics, the physical sciences, biology, kinetics, telecommunications, and experimental digital systems such as artificial intelligence and ubiquitous computing. In addition to visual documentation and statements by the artists, Wilson examines relevant art-theoretical writings and explores emerging scientific and technological research likely to be culturally significant in the future. He also provides lists of resources including organizations, publications, conferences, museums, research centers, and Web sites.

Customer Reviews:

Glorified List!.......2007-09-19

This book is simply an extensive list of artist biographies with a brief summary of their work. It is a "Who's who" reference of artists working with science/technology based media. It does not have good examples (photos) or explorations of the art works.

Breadth not Depth.......2007-05-14

This book covers an extremely wide range of artists, but with disappointingly little theoretical rigor or depth.

lotsa cool stuff.......2002-02-10

I really liked this book. I'm interested in computer art but Information Arts shows that is just the top of the iceberg -- artists dancing in zero gravity, learning how to change the patterns on butterfly wings, reclaiming toxic waste dumps, planting chips in their body, making radioactive sculptures, breeding artificial life.... You really begin to get a glimpse of what kind of art is coming down the road.

I appreciated the systematic way the book dealt with all these topics. There are chapters on art exploring biology, particle physics, space art, mathematical art, artificial life, etc. The author seemed to work hard to find artists from all over the world coming at it from different points of view. Also each section also offers a review of relevant theory, and seemed very fair in its attempt to offer a full range of opinions.

There are two kinds of artist sections in the book - multipage sections with an image and samples of the artists' writing, and shorter sections of a few lines. I wish there were more details on the less described artists but then the book would have been bigger than its already huge 1000 pages. Also, I wish the images were color. The author provides web links for all the artists. It's a great starting point, although it could have used tighter editing (still it's great exercise equipment!).

Good Reference - Fine line to Hubris...........2002-01-30

This book is organized in two parts: theory and name-throwing. The theory parts are at times interesting, at times obscure and redundant. They precede chapters full of names, (supposedly big names) in the "information arts". To be fair, Wilson collected a huge database of names to be included in this volume and it serves a purpose. It is a good starting point for someone to look up people and their work. Not enough descriptions of what people do unfortunately. At least the names are highlighted and indexed so you can quickly go through it and pick up names. It is a name book...and a good stroke to many people's egos, including Wilson's who doesn't omit himself and the "I...once upon a time" reference to himself and his greatness. Being that there is nothing else like it out there, it is a good addition to one's reference shelf. But don't rely on it to measure greatness and don't hold your breath for super-exciting theory you haven't read before. Quite an undertaking, and with omissions which at least Wilson admits to. Give it a try. The pictures are not that great. If anything, they take away from the "mystique" of the who-is-who rather than add to it.

Information inspiration. (Art and Science).(Information Arts: Intersections of Art, Science, and Technology)(Book Review): An article from: American Scientist

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Information inspiration. (Art and Science).(Information Arts: Intersections of Art, Science, and Technology)(Book Review): An article from: American Scientist
Alice Benessia
Manufacturer: Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

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Technology and aesthetics: new perspectives on visual communication.(Book Review): An article from: Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media

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Technology and aesthetics: new perspectives on visual communication.(Book Review): An article from: Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media
Glenda R. Balas
Manufacturer: Broadcast Education Association
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

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Book Description

This digital document is an article from Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, published by Broadcast Education Association on June 1, 2003. The length of the article is 1950 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Technology and aesthetics: new perspectives on visual communication.(Book Review)
Author: Glenda R. Balas
Publication: Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media (Refereed)
Date: June 1, 2003
Publisher: Broadcast Education Association
Volume: 47 Issue: 2 Page: 303(5)

Article Type: Book Review

Distributed by Thomson Gale

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Collage (Let's Start! Art)
Sue Nicholson
Manufacturer: QEB Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Library Binding
ASIN: 1595660828

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Your Child Can Create Beautiful Artwork!

Let's Start Collage (Let's Start Books)
Emma Foa
Manufacturer: Silver Dolphin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Spiral-bound

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ASIN: 1571453318

Book Description

Gaby the Goldfish gets kids into the swim in this fun introduction to collage. This colorfully illustrated book is packed with collage projects, and it also encourages kids to create their own works of art. Includes a 32- page instruction booklet, activity pad, pencil, zigzag scissors, colored string, glitter, glue, sequins, colored paper, tissue paper, and stencils. Children will love all the Let's Start characters in the series which includes the following: Numbers, Alphabet, Collage, Drawing, Modeling with Clay, Painting, Sand Art, and Stamp Art. Not for children under three years of age.

Customer Reviews:

Your Child Can Create Beautiful Artwork!.......2000-01-11

While visiting my sister in San Diego, I noticed several brightly colored collage pictures taped to her kitchen cupboards. She told me her 4-year-old had made them! She showed me this book, which contains 15 collage projects for young children and all the materials needed to do them. The instructions are simple, but complete. The steps are illustrated. Projects use a variety of materials including tissue paper, string, sequins and paper in colors especially appealing to children. Best of all, the finished projects are beautiful. Like my sister, you will proudly display your child's works of art in your home. This book would make a great gift for a child between the ages of 4 and 8 years old.

!Vamos a empezar! El libro de collage: Let's Start! Collage

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!Vamos a empezar! El libro de collage: Let's Start! Collage
Editors of Silver Dolphin Spanish Editions
Manufacturer: Silver Dolphin en Espanol
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Book Description

The Silver Dolphin Let's Start! series is now available in Spanish editions. A bestselling series the world over, Let's Start! introduces kids to basic concepts with fun activities. This collage book features interactive, reusable materials and a workbook to make reading and learning enjoyable.

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See: A Journal of Visual Culture, Issue 2 (See)

Manufacturer: Friends of Photography
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 0614967414

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See Vol. 2, Issue 3 #2: See 2:3: a Journal of Visual Culture
Andy Grundberg
Manufacturer: The MIT Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OQB2SY

Book Description

Dave Barry isn't just funny. His hilarious syndicated newspaper column and numerous best-selling books have sparked the kind of adulation that's often reserved for rock stars or world leaders. His wit cuts right to the core of life's absurdities.In "My Teenage Son's Greatest Goal in Life Is to Make Me Feel 3,500 Years Old" and Other Thoughts on Parenting from Dave Barry, Dave shares his hopes, fears, and insights about his own stint as a father. "Most people make babies out to be very complicated, but the truth is they have only three moods: Mood One: Just about to cry. Mood Two: Crying. Mood Three: Just finished crying."

Customer Reviews:

Use to read aloud to your friends with kids.......2006-07-27

Too short! This small book is a collection of Barry wit... one witticism per page. I can't picture it being worth the full price, even if you are a Dave Barry fan. However, I picked up mine for a buck even at B&N. At about a penny per comment, I felt there was balance in the universe.

Dave Barry is getting lazy.......2001-10-25

Unlike his first dozen or so books, this offering is so meager as to be insulting to his fans. I loved the guy from the first newspaper column I stumbled across. Now I think he should quit being so lazy, or quit writing.

My Teenage Son's Goal In Life Is..." the review........2001-05-17

In this book, author Steve Barry talks about raising his son and other parenting. There are some very funny segements in this book, however it is repetitive and they are Extremly short lines. The way the book is, it stands at about four inches and has a very short paragraph on each page. So, really, you are getting over a hundred Short onl-liners. The entire book could be read by everyone, he does not curse in this book. If a slow reader, you could read it in under 30 minutes, but it will not really seem time consuming being that it {the book itself} is quite humorus. Not the best I have read, but for a little pick-me-up in the morning, it sure did the job for me.

Have a good one.

Ryan

Some Mildly Amusing Complaints about the Generation Gap.......2001-04-02

Every generation complains about the next generation. In this book, syndicated humorist Dave Barry levels his pen at his son, Rob, during the time from when Rob was 11 through senior year in high school. "Parenthood is not unlike the Space Mountain ride at Disney World . . . ." It has its ups and downs and its unexpected moments. The book continues in that vein.

The gags are highly concentrated into Rob's difficulties with getting out of bed in the morning, loud music (that's the title reference), driving, vacations, ski trips, projects, science fair preparations, help with school work, becoming interested in girls, toys, video games, television, sneakers, clothes, and expenses. Rather than being grouped in some logical order, they just sort of show up randomly. To me, much of the humor depends on being Dave Barry, being there, or seeing an image of the situation. Cartoons would have helped. As it was, I found the book light, but never really did start to laugh.

Rob comes across as a normal, healthy young man making fine progress in growing up. Most would take delight in having such a son.

I think the humor would have been improved if it had been aimed more powerfully at Mr. Barry. He does point out his own limitations (with school work, in skiing down slopes, and in keeping up with the newest trends), but the put-downs are mostly aimed at Rob. As such, I often found them to sound like whining rather than humor. For example, the reason that adults have sexual relations not very often is because children discover they need help with projects after 11:00 at night. Okay, that may have happened once in a while . . . but I think that the point would have been funnier if it focused on the way that some teachers now assign homework projects that can only be done by having the student and two parents work for hours. There are often funny things that happen in those projects that could have provided humor.

The other direction Mr. Barry could have gone in would have required Rodney Dangerfield style one-liners. Mr. Barry's style lends itself to that approach, but his writing isn't quite terse enough to pull it off.

If you are frustrated with your son, this book can do you some good by helping you realize that what's going on is normal. If you are looking for a good humor book, I'd look elsewhere.

In the meantime, you can have a few laughs if you think about how your father would have described you when you were a teenager (using humorous concepts). That perspective may help you be more understanding with your teenager.

Enjoy being a parent!

Book Description

The anxiously anticipated new film from the Academy Award-nominated makers of Amores Perros

The fates of three strangers collide when Tony (Benicio Del Toro), an ex-convict and born-again Christian, accidentally kills a man and his two daughters. As Tony struggles to reconcile his fear of jail with a tenuous faith, the widowed Christina (Naomi Watts) descends into a dangerous cycle of grief, rage, and drug abuse. Paul (Sean Penn) is a mathematician slowly dying of heart disease, who after receiving a transplant finds himself healthy but trapped inside a withering marriage.

As in the critically acclaimed Amores Perros--with whose director Arriaga is once again paired--the unique and individual obsessions of each character become helplessly intertwined while the story moves toward an inevitable conclusion ripe with revenge and redemption. In addition to the script, this volume fully documents the production of the film via extensive original interviews with the filmmakers and numerous photographs.

Customer Reviews:

Morals tested &Grief under currents of rage.......2005-04-29

Benicio Del Toro at his best as an ex-convict accidentally runs over two children and their father. He want to turn himself in but his wife begs him to stay with him and thier children. He wants to do the rigth thing. Naomi Watts as the woman who lost her whole family, goes from grief to a dangerous plan to kill Benicio with the man who has fallen in love with her(Sean Penn). All the acting has rich veracity,strength.honesty and gravity. These three great actors is what true honest performises should be in more movies. It's sad to know that movies today have so much gun ammo,car races, blow'em up scences and some "actors" come out to-on-their- face for money. S0 many unknown stunt-men-and-women go unknown to us physically. This movie is incedible,these actors make you feel worried,frightened,confused and lonely and a heck of alot to feel. What would you do.

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The World of Soul: Black America's Contribution to the Pop Music Scene.
Arnold. Shaw
Manufacturer: NTC/Contemporary Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 0809292203

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One major problem with this book

Best repertoire on French, but I miss the Rubinstein variation.

Everything you need to know.

Thank you! Coverage of the Classical in the 3rd edition!!!

Detailed, up-to-date, penetrating analysis. Fantastic.

Play the French, 3rd (Cadogan Chess Books)
John Watson
Manufacturer: Everyman Chess
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Book Description

After the immense success of the first two editions, the chess world has been anticipating the next instalment with baited breath... and now the wait is over! Once again this is a fully revised edition of John Watson's classic Play the French, providing Black with a complete repertoire in the French Defence, one of the most strategically and dynamically complex opening systems. As is typical with his books, Watson often arms the reader with not one, but a choice of two and sometimes three lines against every main variation. Watson also presents a thorough grounding on the positional and tactical aspects of the opening and outlines the typical plans for both White and Black. This is particularly welcome for those newcomers wishing to add the French Defence to their openings armoury. Last, but not least, hardened French Defence devotees will find plenty of original analysis and suggestions to sink their teeth into.
The previous editions of Play the French were amongst the most powerful opening books of the 1980s and 90s, and this only added to the large number of French Defence advocates at every level of chess. Now Watson has updated his analysis for French Defence players of the new millennium.

Customer Reviews:

One major problem with this book.......2006-12-16

This is a good book for the reasons other reviewers have given, but there is one major deficiency.

Watson gives almost no coverage to 1.e4 e6 2.c4.

This is a very dangerous and complicated opening. If you are unprepared for it, ( and Watson will not prepare you for it )you will have your head handed to you, right in the opening.

The reason it is so dangerous, is as follows :

1) 2..c5 is good, but that means you must learn the Sicilian. So why take the time to learn the French on top of that?

2) 2..c6 gives you a bad, passive Caro-Kann where you have already committed to a premature e6.

3) 2..b6 is the English Defense, regarded as second-rate.

4) 2..e5 and you have lost a tempo compared to 1.e4 e5 2.c4, which can only be bad for Black.

To stay French, you must play 2..d5. This is not bad for Black, but it is
very sharp with plenty of diverse variations and requires plenty of study- and Watson won't help you at all.

Best repertoire on French, but I miss the Rubinstein variation. .......2006-11-20

The Rubinstein should have been included in this book, because 3.Nc3/Nd2 3..dxe4 will indeed reduce your workload when studying the French opening.

Everything you need to know........2006-06-21

I need to make one thing clear. Some people think the French is a positional opening that leads to long boring endgames. Well they are all wrong! The French is one of the most agressive counter-attacking opening in all of chess. After reading this book I have slashed people rated hundreds of points higher than me. There is absolutely nothing white can do to stop your counter play. In the Advance Variation you will demolish white's center. Also it is an exremely psychological opening. Many people think the French is for cowards that are afraid to get into the sicilian. So White trys to over-due himself. This fails. They think 1...e6 is a little sissy move, but little does white know that he has to suffer through massive counter attacks. Usually involving a sacrifice on f3...which leads me to say this: You better be ready to sacrifce material to get an attack on the king or get over-whelming counter play. In countless of lines black does the exchange sacrifice to get an edge. No one has beaten me with 1 e4 yet. I almost beg my opponent to play 1 e4 because he will get slaughtered. White truly under estimates the power of the French and that's exactly what I want him to think. Let white think the French is crap and then show him the light by obliterating him into peices.
This is the book to get to cover all of your French needs. It contains everything said above even the exchange sacrifices.

Thank you! Coverage of the Classical in the 3rd edition!!!.......2006-02-06

In the past, I never purchased this book because it lacked coverage of the Classical Variation (which I play), and beat readers over the head with the Winawer. I would have given previous editions 3 stars because of that fact alone.

However, Watson completes his ever-popular work with the Classical, and of course updates the other parts as well. He includes a lot of sidelines that are normally left out of monographs, and this is appreciated.

The most complete coverage of the French Defense you will find anywhere. NOW it truly is the Francophile's bible.

Detailed, up-to-date, penetrating analysis. Fantastic........2004-11-01

This, the third edition of Watson's "Play the French", provides an up-to-date repertoire for black with the French Defence. Watson is incredibly thorough and yet presents the material in a clear systematic, and therefore digestible, form. In most lines Watson offers black two systems, but in some there are more, for example he offers black 4 (!) different systems against the King's Indian Attack. The book even features a guest author (Hans Olav Lahlum) who updates one of the chapters from the previous edition (which Watson was originally going to leave out of the third edition).

Against the advance variation (1. e4 e6, 2. d4 d5, 3. e5 the main line of which continues 3. ... c5, 4. c3 Nc6, 5. Nf3) Watson offers 5. ... Qb6 (to be followed by 6. ... Nh6) and 5. ... Bd7.
Against the King's Indian Attack (1. e4 e6, 2. d3 d5, 3. Nd2) after 3. ... Nf6, 4. Ngf3 Watson offers 4. ... Nc6, 4. ... Bc5, and 4. ... b6, and then as a fourth option 3. ... c5.
Watson offers a number of interesting lines against the various incarnations of the Exchange Variation many of which involve early bishop sorties to b4 and g4.
Against the Tarrasch Variation Watson suggests either 3. ... c5, or 3. ... Be7!? (which is better than its reputation).
In the Main Line Winawer (1. e4 e6, 2. d4 d5, 3. Nc3 Bb4, 4. e5 c5, 5. a3 BxN+, 6. bc Ne7, 7. Qg4) Watson recommends 7. ... 0-0, which is now considered black's best, though Watson adds that he feels that his recommendation from the second edition (7. ... Qc7) is still viable. The 6. ... Qc7 system is also covered, but by the guest author. Lahlum is simply not as fantastic an author as Watson, but his chapter is still a solid effort.
Finally, Watson covers the Classical Variation for the first time (1. e4 e6, 2. d4 d5, 3. Nc3 Nf6,) and offers fairly standard looking lines against 4. e5, but the fashionable and unbalancing Burn Variation against 4. Bg5: 4. ... de 5. Nxe4 Be7.

These recommendations are all good systems and Watson's coverage is as thorough as any I've seen. The book includes a great deal of new analysis and many new ideas, some of which are actually improvements over the existing theory. It's hard to find much wrong with this book. I can think of only two things. The first is that in the Advance variation after 1. e4 e6, 2. d4 d5, 3. e5 c5, 4. c3 Nc6, 5. Nf3 Bd7, 6. Be2, Watson's recommendation of 6. ... Nge7, 7. 0-0 Ng6, is not quite as good as he suggests (he acknowledges that the move was considered anti-positional, but not that there was a good reason for this!). On the other hand, he does provide an alternative in the shape of 6. ... f6, so this shouldn't worry the reader unduly. The second minor criticism is that against the Tarrasch 3. ... Be7!? doesn't quite fill the shoes of 3. ... Nf6!?, (which was covered in the second edition). 3. ... c5 won't appeal to everyone and 3. ... Be7 is the sort of move that people either specialise in or consider to be rather suspect. Sticking with 3. ... Nf6!? would have given the repertoire even wider appeal. On the other hand, I rather like 3. ... Be7!?

Watson provides excellent analysis and insightful explanations which should serve any French Defence Player well. Those fighting against the French may also want to take a look as they are likely to be facing Watson's lines over the board for many years to come.

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