Author: Shahram Chaudhry

Shahram Chaudhry

• All the artists working in the collective have some background in science: they use scientific knowledge, research, phenomena and concepts as inspiration for their work 
• They’re using science as a creative material
• They work with projections, audio visual set ups and other installations among other types of work
• They play on different scales to make big events personal for audience to help them develop a stronger and direct connection with the work
• The reason they like science as foundation for their art is because although it is very real, the product seems abstract, giving it a very artistic touch
• Loved all their projects from the GW170817 which stands for Gravitational Waves August 17,2017 which used pre-recorded 30 minute data to generate visuals , solaris which uses real time data and creates sound from touch data, and Satellarium which uses satellites
• Working as a collective helps because when we explain to each other, the information bounces back in a different way as it could trigger something else in their mind and we could get new ideas. Also if working alone, could get stuck on your own vision but with a group, they can confront you early on so you don’t get stuck inside your interpretation solely.
• Also compromising is very important in a collective effort because getting specific would probably close doors than open them. 
• Since you have to present your work to others, you have to think of people you’re going to present to so opinion of your teammates also matters when they first see your work because they’re the audience at that point
• Sometimes even using simple techniques works, no need to overcomplicate things

Shahram Chaudhry

The writer eloquently emphasizes the profound role of imperfection in art, acting as a catalyst for self-discovery and creative exploration. I agree that unreal expectations and fears often impede artists’ progress. The essence of art truly lies in embracing imperfection, allowing for continuous learning, evolution, and refinement of one’s craft. Striving for unattainable perfection stifles genuine exploration and hampers the willingness to take risks. Instead, by embracing imperfections, artists can foster experimentation, growth, and the freedom to make mistakes that ultimately lead to breakthroughs.

I can relate to this notion from my personal experience. When faced with writing my study abroad application essay, I initially felt overwhelmed by the pressure to come up with a “genius” idea. However, I realized that this pursuit of perfection was hindering my progress. In a last-minute decision, I set aside the desire for flawlessness and simply began writing whatever came to mind. Surprisingly, this approach allowed me to produce a genuine and compelling essay, rather than being paralyzed by the pursuit of an unattainable ideal.

The writer also highlights the fears of inadequacy and self-doubt that artists often experience, especially when comparing themselves to others. I firmly believe that embracing one’s unique voice and focusing on personal creative processes are essential to transcend these fears. It is crucial to recognize that there is no magical ingredient possessed exclusively by other artists. While talent may provide a head start, it is sustained growth, dedication, and relentless development that truly shape an artist’s journey. Success in art is not bestowed upon a select few; it is the outcome of perseverance and hard work.

The notion that artworks hold valuable lessons resonates deeply with me. By objectively examining our own work, we gain valuable insights and identify areas for improvement. Engaging with our art and reflecting on the process enables us to uncover new directions and refine our techniques. This concept aligns seamlessly with the principles of lateral thinking, which we have explored in class.

Shahram Chaudhry

As I sat down to write an essay for my study away application for NYU Paris, I thought of including Paris Fashion Week in my essay. So, in the evening when I was brainstorming ideas for my making assignment, designing bizarre clothing items and outfits came to mind and I thought why not? Let’s go crazy.

So my fashion catalogue “ROGUE”(basically VOGUE gone ROGUE) captures a few of these wacky fashion designs. I’ve tried to create diversity in the types of clothing/accessories, some are very technical and machine-like while others are funkier and some are even closer to nature.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/13TRlGZ7nihZxUM8dbOLMsrSqzPGhaA8b/view?usp=sharing

Shahram Chaudhry

I loved how they focused so much on their environment and surroundings – cooking food together , good way of bonding to connect on a personal level which is essential if they want to make art together

Build own set ups suitable to projects, not limiting themselves to available options  , exploring and thinking outside the box

The crowd simulation idea was pretty cool

Using AI to generate and another AI to critique it

Spend more than half the time on research and development so very innovative end products

Shahram Chaudhry

Based on my experience of completing assignments for this class, I agree with the author’s perspective that unfinished work often holds an allure, as we imagine the possibility of achieving better results. However, amidst this uncertainty, it is crucial to discover a personal motivation or spark that drives us to create, even when there is no external audience or reward. The author also emphasizes the importance of not subscribing to the notion that artistic talent is solely innate, as it can discourage creativity. Ultimately, talent becomes indistinguishable from hard work and perseverance in the long run. As an example, I may not possess the same level of intelligence as my twin brother, but through my dedication and effort, I often achieve similar or even better outcomes. In other words, art is created by ordinary people. Our flaws and weaknesses, though they can pose challenges in completing our work, can also serve as sources of strength. For instance, I have a friend who procrastinates a lot and completes assignments just before the deadline, even if he has ample time. While this approach may seem risky, his ability to work well under pressure turns this shortcoming into an advantage, enabling him to finish the same assignment in less time and allowing him to allocate more time to other tasks.

The author also raises a significant point that I initially disagreed with but now find compelling. They argue that even cavemen were creating art before they were consciously aware of the concept of self. Therefore, the belief that art is purely a means of self-expression is inherently biased. Another flaw in associating artists solely with their art is that it implies that flawed art reflects a flawed individual, while the absence of art renders one devoid of personhood. Instead of adhering to this ideology, one should embark on a personal journey to discover their unique approach to creating art.

Shahram Chaudhry

In these two chapters, the author emphasizes the importance of lateral thinking and suspended judgment in driving innovation and progress. They highlight the blurred distinction between backward and forward thinking, where backward thinking involves reevaluating progress and adapting future actions, while forward thinking entails creating something new. I believe that both approaches are complementary, as moving forward often necessitates reflecting on the past.

Suspending judgment is a valuable skill because the fear of being wrong often inhibits our exploration process. The constant need to be right, ingrained in us through vertical thinking, limits our creativity. Unfortunately, the prevalent banking system of education worldwide largely promotes vertical thinking. For instance, in high school, if we struggled to solve a particular type of question, teachers would simply instruct us to memorize the method. While this approach may yield immediate results, it proves detrimental in the long run as we fail to truly learn. This is why lateral thinking is essential.

Lateral thinking focuses on being right in the end, rather than constantly judging throughout the process. It allows for various ways of restructuring information and ideas, even if they may not initially appear correct, as they can lead to sound outcomes. By delaying the evaluation of ideas and refraining from discarding those that seem wrong, we can overcome the fear of being incorrect and extract the most value from each idea. Even when we are wrong, the author suggests that we should focus on how seemingly incorrect ideas can propel us forward. The example provided by the author of carrying water in a bucket with holes is compelling. While most of the water may flow out, there is still progress towards the ultimate goal of transferring water. It is a better approach than being disheartened and doing nothing. In fact, using the broken bucket may even inspire us to think of alternative solutions, as necessity is the mother of invention.

Shahram Chaudhry

The fact that he studied biology and then got into Interactive Media goes to show that there’s no distinction between Art and Science, one can do both – His artwork requires a lot of knowledge of physics – fusion between art and science

He’s interested in process/constant change/ understanding the different layers of meaning

He appeared very optimistic

Loved his tie and dye pink and black jeans , breaking conventions considering he was there for a presentation

Explore the canvas/ image space/ just get to doing it – aimless drawings to think about possibilities

Experiment is the most rewarding thing , start with a vague idea and see where it goes

Find personal pathway, help audience develop emotional connection using fountains, fake fog etc., don’t underestimate audience

The need to dumb down things is unnecessary and unhelpful, maybe we can translate original ideas to others better – dual way translation – we may learn from their interpretation

Pressure prevents from creating what you want but if you have the opportunity to create outside your comfort zone push for it, can help u grow

During the work process, be as prepared as possible but not strict, might have a good idea last minute even after having working on a certain ideas for weeks/months

I was seeing shapes  instead of animals initially – our pattern recognition system can turn out to be wrong because they analyze too quickly without processing all available information

Shahram Chaudhry

The Pursuit of Passion: Where Happiness Transcends Wealth

During my recent travels in Switzerland, I stumbled upon a vibrant and artsy neighborhood in Bern. It was a place where individuals wholeheartedly embraced their passions, displaying their unwavering commitment to creative endeavors. Inspired by their dedication, I embarked on a project that aimed to shed light on the profound fulfillment that can be found in pursuing one’s passions, even in the absence of material wealth. This project builds upon the concept explored in my previous comic on the limitations of printing more money and delves into the notion that true happiness stems from the pursuit of passion.

One group that particularly caught my attention was a gathering of cyclists performing parkour. These dedicated individuals meticulously constructed and dismantled their ramps daily, their pursuit of cycle parkour serving as a testament to their passion for the sport. Further along, I discovered an artist intently sketching a scene, seemingly oblivious to the world around him. With every stroke of his brush, his focus remained solely on the canvas before him. His unwavering dedication exemplified the deep fulfillment that accompanies the creative process.Musical notes wafted through the air, drawing me closer to a talented musician passionately playing his instrument. Despite not possessing material riches, his music resonated with an undeniable richness of spirit, emphasizing that true fulfillment lies within the realm of personal passion.

Through my project, I aimed to showcase the stories of these passionate individuals and their unwavering dedication to their creative pursuits. While money certainly holds its place in society, my experiences in this artsy neighborhood reinforced the belief that pursuing one’s passions and finding solace in creative endeavors can bring about a profound sense of happiness and fulfillment.

Shahram Chaudhry

In chapter 1, the author talks about the code system of the brain and how it can only work with preset patterns. These patterns are worked beforehand and have code headings so when certain information is required, only the code name needs to be transferred which serves as a trigger to identify and acquire the required information, saving time and effort. So this means that humans can react appropriately to a situation almost instantly without having to examine it in detail beforehand and sometimes even while the situation is developing, using their prediction skills. 

The authors also discuss the mind as a pattern making system and how its effectiveness is often associated with its ability to create patterns, store them and recognize them. Exploring the concept of how these patterns are made, limited attention span can play a huge role because it means mostly a certain part of the brain will be activated, which will most likely be the familiar one and that part of the brain has more chances of being activated in the future because it is becoming increasingly familiar.   

While the pattern  recognition system has its advantages such as quick recognition and reaction, established patterns cause the mind to become rigid and non accepting of change. Also another problem is generalization of information, anything that slightly resembles a pattern is recognized as such so this can polarize information, leading to extreme opinions. 

The mind is adept at creating concept patterns, but it faces challenges when it comes to modifying or updating them. This limitation highlights the importance of lateral thinking, which encourages innovative and alternative approaches to problem-solving.

I also love this quote from the reading, “A memory is anything that happens and does not completely unhappen.” However, I don’t quite understand the landscape and the jelly example. 

Shahram Chaudhry

The most basic question we ask when we’re introduced to the concept of poverty as children is , “Why can’t we just print more money?” The answer to that could be that it would lead to inflation and decrease the value of the currency. 

“Why does printing more money lead to inflation and decrease the value of the currency?” 

A possible answer could be that printing more money increases the money supply without a corresponding increase in goods and services, creating supply demand issues.

“Why does an imbalance between supply and demand result in inflation?”

When there is more money in circulation relative to the available goods and services, people have more money to spend so the demand increases without the supply increasing causing prices to rise, resulting in inflation.

“Why does an increase in prices due to inflation decrease the value of the currency?“

When there is inflation, the purchasing power of each unit of currency decreases. 

“Why does a decline in the exchange rate further reduce the value of a currency?“

When the exchange rate of a currency falls, it means that it can buy less of other currencies impacting international trade, increasing import costs etc.

In the comic, the character, let’s name him Abigail Johnson, tries printing money and then realizes that it has negative consequences such as inflation, and people not being able to buy the things that they were able to before.