Write a 350+ word response to the video. Do not simply summarize it. Instead, tell me some of the ideas that you agree or disagree with or have questions about. If you need help, here are some questions to get you started:
You do realize How Not to be Seen: A Fucking Didactic Educational .MOV File. was inspired by How-Not to be Seen from Monty Python’s Flying Circus sketch made in the 1770’s, https://youtu.be/C-M2hs3sXGo? The fact that this piece of art work was a homage to this Monty Python educational video takes a little of the mystery away, and cheapens the piece.
This is the perfect example to prove your point that sometimes it is better not to discuss too much about how the artwork is created. It took away from the authenticity, especially since Hito Steyari’s video is neither funny, nor clever. The funniest part of the video is how the audio made me want to disappear.
If I were interviewing Hito, one of my first questions would be to ask why she chose such a monotone, emotionless, android-like voice for her piece. Like I already mentioned, the audio made getting through the video nearly impossible. If this video were not an assignment, I never would have watched it all the way through.
Maybe I’ll make another version that ends after the second chapter, ‘How to be Invisible in Plain Sight’ and I’ll add one last suggestion to her silly list, ‘to make a movie with the most annoying voice until the viewer turns it off’ Not to mention, the part immediately following that list of nonsensical suggestions is even more upsetting.
She starts off by stating, ‘Today most of the important things want to remain invisible,’ Love and a war are not invisible. They are actions that can be seen in the plain eye. Love and war are everywhere! To say they are invisible means she is blind. That is the only explanation I can come up with besides needing a clever transition to introduce the gray scales and resolution targets installed by the US Airforce, one of the most interesting parts of her work.
If I made a video about visibility like Hito’s, it would be much different starting with the production quality. It would be less silly, and more truthful. Recently I discover how to empty a bustling room full of people by keeping the shutter open longer. That’s an interesting concept to explore. Making a series of spaces that are filled with people, but appear to be empty could be beautiful, and thought provoking. I am sure it’s been done before, but that’s just the spark.
In my version of the video, science would play a much larger role. There is a lot more than meets the eye. Our thoughts, and feelings are always here, but sometimes they are invisible unless we ignore them for too long, and then they morph into physical or psychological manifestations. I digress … visibility is such a huge concept to tackle. I definitely wouldn’t make a joke out of it, unless I am Monty Python Productions. No subject matter is off limits to them. Their humor gives me life, ‘I am not dead yet … I feel HAAAPPPPPYYYY!’
Also write a 350+ word response to this video.
Last year while returning a sustainable development goal cube #5, Gender Equality, to the VIP social media hub during the epic UN General Debate I couldn’t help but stop to watch one of our celebrity messengers of peace flailing his arms around in the air trying to fight off seemingly absolutely nothing. I wasn’t supposed to be there, but since no one was asking me to leave I stayed, and watch in amazement. It was fun to witness such a high profile celebrity acting like an insane person.
I took out my phone, and did a little video for my eyes only because it was such an intimate moment that we were ‘sharing’ although he wasn’t even aware I was there. When he took off the virtual reality goggles, he looked shocked and a little embarrassed to be standing there with the tech guy, me, and a few interns in the UN Social media hub. I don’t blame him. He looked ridiculous.
After he left, I approached the tech guy who was in charge of the whole VR operation to ask what on earth made this well composed celebrity act like a mad man. He explained his Virtual Reality operation, and then asked if I wanted to try. Of course I refused because the VR booth was reserved for only the highest profile VIP’s, and I didn’t fall into that category. Plus, I was still trying to recover from an epic smear campaign. The last thing I needed was to give this ‘small town’ something else to talk about.
The tech guy and I kept chatting, and he realized that I really needed an escape. I was overworked, harassed, abused, mistreated, under-appreciated, underpaid, and he must have felt my pain. As I was getting ready to begrudgingly make my way back to my head-down job, he adamantly insisted I give one of the VR videos a try.
I looked around to see how many UN witches were in the space, and decided to take the chance. As far as I was concerned my career was already over at the UN, and the guy was very convincing. I could tell he had my best interest in mind. I put the goggles on, and he picked the video to play for me.
In a moment I was transported to someplace completely different than a bureaucratic hell hole. I was on a mountain with wild animals surrounding me. The space was vast, and it felt real. Then in walks the dinosaurs, that’s when I realized why that celebrity was feverishly batting the air. I kept my hands pinned to my side, the last thing in needed was to draw attention to myself. Admittedly I allowed myself to spin in circles as the dinosaurs walked around me. I didn’t want them attacking me from behind.
The dinosaurs were going to eat me for dinner, until the goggles were abruptly pulled off and I was back to my lovely reality. It took me a moment to adjust. Based on the VIP celebrity’s face after his VR experience, I am assuming he felt similarly. Even if a person’s real life is awesome, the VR experience is such a great escape. There is nothing like.
I did not expect to appreciate VR that much. It truly felt like I was far away from my real life. I was someone else in a far off place where no one has ever been. It was the ultimate escape. The tech guy was right. It was exactly what I needed.
To be honest, it was life changing. I’ll never forget it. As pathetic as this may sound it was one of my favorite experiences ever, next to enlightenment. I have traveled all over the world, but this VR booth happened in the least likely space when I desperately needed a break from reality. The great thing about it was that I didn’t have to travel very far or pay that much to get away.
It was then that I realized VR is the way to the future. VR could be an exceedingly helpful educational or emotional/psychological health tool. I fantasize about having one of those VR booths in my home for when I am feeling like reality is closing in on me, and I need to escape from it.
As far a my work goes, I have photo journalism degree. Altering reality goes against my educational foundation, and belief system. And I like to document actual reality because I am day dreaming all the time. Keeping my feet firmly rooted on the ground has always been a challenge. No need to tempt myself.