Short, Not Always Sweet

Music videos are under-appreciated and under-analysed in the academic context, I think.

I like the Alien-esque body morphing and antisocial clone action in this video for Aphex Twin by visual artist Chris Cunningham.

(Although 'like' probably isn't the right word. As Miss Cakehead says, if this video doesn't frighten you: "seek help!")



Cunningham was also behind this award winning video for Bjork. Much more gentle, this one.



He made a short film called Rubber Johnny, which, as one YouTube user commented, "would give David Lynch diarrhea." It is quite disturbing. I won't be posting it, but feel free to go check the video out here. Leave the light on.

Plenty of grotesquerie to examine in relation to Cunningham's work. I'm not comfortable with much of it, but that's usually a sign that something interesting is going on.

The Now

I hope everyone has a great weekend.



Featuring Matisyahu, who is a pretty cool guy.

Doll Face

I recently discovered Andrew Huang's work, which deals with many interesting themes from nature to digital culture and the body. He uses a combination of live action, animation and CGI to create short films such as Doll Face:

"A machine with a doll face mimics images on television screen in search of a satisfactory visage. Doll Face presents a visual account of desires misplaced and identities fractured by our technological extension into the future."

The Gloaming is another example:



I can relate. Also liking the Hitchcock 'Birds' reference happening in there.

In addition to films, Huang creates light installations that are pretty amazing:

"A series of works focusing on the fusion between physical and 'virtual' forms using polygonal meshes created from string, nails and found pieces of driftwood."

You can check out his website here.

Machinarium

Finally joined Steam over the weekend. Found this little gem in the 'indie games' section. Disclosure: I'm not a huge fan of puzzle games. But Machinarium is just so gorgeously rendered and intricately constructed that even I have to appreciate it. It's like a child's story book come to life. Plus there are robots.



You can play the free demo here.