CONTENTS

 
   about
   MICHAEL BETANCOURT NEWS
   movies: AESTHETICS
   movies: NEWS & REVIEWS
   movies: SHOWS & SCREENINGS
   random art notes
   random how-tos
   research: AVANT-GARDE MOVIES
   research: MOTION GRAPHICS
   research: VISUAL MUSIC
   theory: CRITICAL OBSERVATIONS
   theory: DIGITAL CAPITALISM
   theory: GLITCH & POSTDIGITAL
   theory: working notes

 

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Glitch Theory: Art and Semiotics by Michael Betancourt
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archives begin in 1996

  

Ads Co-opt art

story © Michael Betancourt | published August 5, 2004 | permalink | TwitThis Digg Facebook StumbleUpon  |  Print



theory: CRITICAL OBSERVATIONS

Krzysztof Wodiczko's light projects that came to prominence in the 1980s have now been transformed into advertizing. I guess this was inevitable.






 
Conflicts of Interest

story © Michael Betancourt | published July 2, 2004 | permalink | TwitThis Digg Facebook StumbleUpon  |  Print



theory: CRITICAL OBSERVATIONS

"The important question when we confront this kind of situation -- in art or anywhere else-- is always very simple: are these conflicts atypical -- that is, do most of the people involved try to minimize them and their importance -- or are they the standard of "doing business"? When conflicts of interest are so common as to be commonplace what dominates is corruption."

Full Story here




 
Silencing the Opposition

story © Michael Betancourt | published June 25, 2004 | permalink | TwitThis Digg Facebook StumbleUpon  |  Print



theory: CRITICAL OBSERVATIONS

Here are three different stories about how those in political power are seeking to silence their opposition--any idea disapproved of may find itself on the wrong side of things.




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No More "High Arts"

story © Michael Betancourt | published June 14, 2004 | permalink | TwitThis Digg Facebook StumbleUpon  |  Print



theory: CRITICAL OBSERVATIONS

CNN is carrying a story reporting changes to what's being performed at operas and ballets: rock music.

It isn't an aesthetic choice, but one dictated by grants organizations. Unless the funding mechanisms change, this will only increase.




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The Safe Culture

story © Michael Betancourt | published June 5, 2004 | permalink | TwitThis Digg Facebook StumbleUpon  |  Print



theory: CRITICAL OBSERVATIONS

"We need art that does not offend anyone."

That a public official would say this is not very surprising given the way art has been used since the Reagan presidency as a political tool on the one hand, and a PR device on the other.



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