ERIC KIM

STREAM

Archives for May 2019

Color Theory

Some current thoughts I’m having on color theory:

  1. Why color? If you have the option between monochrome and color — why would you choose color?
  2. What if color is connected with physiological responses? For example the color red as being the color of lust, sex, danger — a woman (or man) with red lipstick or clothing as seen as more powerful, formidable, or sexual.
  3. Color combinations: Is there an “ideal”for color combinations? Are all color combinations socialized? Or is there some biological “truth” to more ‘desirable’ color combinations?
  4. Is if the role of the artist to imitate “natural” colors, or to totally disregard all nature, and create “unnatural” colors?
[Read more…] about Color Theory

Anti Timelessness

What if we changed our mindset — that instead of striving to make “timeless” art works, we sought to just create for the sake of it — and not concern ourselves with making things that “stand the test of time”?

As artists, we should embrace change, flux, and the transitoriness of life. Making art is our attempt of immortality — but it ain’t!

How to Simplify Your Digital Life

  1. Everyday uninstall one app from your phone/laptop/tablet
  2. Be very very skeptical of ‘free’ social media platforms. Whenever possible, pay money for your digital tools (or pay monthly subscriptions).
  3. Ask yourself– what do you value more — your attention and focus/time? Or social validation?
  4. Be very aware of how social media algorithms are tweaking your behavior and thought patterns. Determine which platforms you decide are ‘worth it’, and which aren’t. Stop using the ones you find disempowering.
  5. If you want honest feedback on your photos and artwork, upload it to arsbeta.com and also contribute your feedback to everyone in the community!

Why Think?

A simple yet profound question:

Why think?

Of course there is the practical and functional purpose: we must think in order to eat, procure water, and not die of the cold.

But beyond our biological needs — what should we do with our brain-power and intellect?

My simple answer:

To create new artworks, to deepen human wisdom and knowledge, and to use this information to empower our lives.

[Read more…] about Why Think?

How Should I Live My Life?

A thought the other day:

As a biological being, we are very small. We don’t need much in terms of biological sustenance (food, water, coffee, warmth).

In other words — our basic needs (especially in modern society) is very very easy to obtain.

Which makes me wonder —

What is the best way for us to direct our human energy, intelligence, and power-metabolism while we’re still alive?

Apex: Make art!

It seems the best use of our human metabolism is to make artwork.

Why?

Well — when we are in the process and the flow of making artwork, we are personally happy and empowered. We get into a state of “flow”, which Mihalay C considers the “optimal state” of human experience.

Secondly, when we create art and share it with others, it empowers other human beings! If we can make artwork which inspires and motivates others, gives them more appreciation of life and beauty — we certainly help humanity move forth, evolve, and become something greater.

Thirdly, it seems the ultimate state to become isn’t rich, influential, etc — but simply for us as individuals to stay motivated, inspired, and EXCITED to create new art works! To fall into the Dionysian rapture of eternal creation — to keep making new art works until we die. I think this is 100x more important than wealth, accolades, or other forms of external success.

To me true success is:

Do you wakeup everyday excited about what you will make today?

Perhaps we can use this as a simple compass to live our lives.

ERIC

Randomness in Art

A thought:

Much of the beauty of artwork is from randomness

For example:

  1. Paint drips as a random/fractal-like-dispersion pattern. Paint drips are beautiful
  2. The beauty of the randomness of film grain dispersion in photographs.
  3. The joy of shooting with ‘film camera simulation’ phone apps like ‘CALLA CAM‘ for iPhone. The fun, joy, and excitement of NOT knowing what a photo will look like before you shoot it.
  4. The joy of shooting expired film– the random aesthetic effects of expired film are often beautiful.
  5. The joy of random beautiful light leaks with film cameras.
[Read more…] about Randomness in Art

Composition Proportions

Much of composition is about proportions — the proportions of visual elements in an image.

For example below is two different compositions of the same scene and image:

Now the simple question:

Which composition is “better”?

Let’s break it down.

1. First photo

You can see this scene you have the two red rectangles equi-distant on the top of the frame.

Also the yellow is a nice diagonal divider in the middle of the frame.

The green shadow is effective, because it extends throughout the frame. I consider this a strong and dynamic composition.

2. Composition number two

Now the second composition, note the “eyes” in magenta are more in the top-left corner.

Furthermore, the overall composition is less “balanced” than the prior composition, because the second composition leans more towards the left:

So when looking at these two compositions (abstracted) — let me ask you:

Which composition do you think is “better”?

For myself I don’t think in composition there is an objectively superior composition. But these are my thoughts:

  1. The left composition is more balanced
  2. The right composition is more dynamic and off-kilter
  3. I prefer the left composition, as I prefer the blend of the balance and the dynamic elements. Also, I like how the composition feels more “head-on”.

More thoughts on composition to come!

ERIC