First Blog Of the Season...

Hi Embedded Media 2009,
I wanted to post this before I let it slip away from me. Today in class I mentioned some very low-tech embedded media pieces. After reflecting on what media really is, this could perhaps be a stretch, but it certainly falls into the category of Public Space. NYC artist Joshua Allen Harris makes inflatable abstract forms and animals out of trash bags, then installs them outside over subway grates. As trains come and go under the location of the bags, what looks to be a common pile of trash is forcefully inflated, and the sculptural form is revealed. When the train leaves, the form is deflated with equal force and speed, returning to what most onlookers would ignore. It's best seen, rather than explained. Check it out on youtube. While you're at it, you could also check out Packard Jennings' 'A Day at the Mall' video, showing behind-the-scenes coverage of how he "shopdropped" pamphlets with satirical, anarchistic, anti-materialistic messages. I feel like both of these options are about as low tech as you can get...
That's all for now. See you tomorrow...