Abstract Video Analysis: Part 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBN-CAhOYQ0

Gardyn

 

1. Does the video maintain continuity by editing for graphical and rhythmical relationships to create successful transitions among different image frames? Give examples of this using a minimum of 5 screen shots that move us from frame to frame. Provide a written description.

These screen shots were taken from the beginning 40 seconds of the YouTube clip. The screen shots progress continually and each time a new sound is added a new picture is displayed to match the sound making the video flow rhythmically. These shots are extremely successful as it displays a visual represented for the audio that is in the video. Without this represntation the sound in the video piece would not be as substantial, as the greatest quality of this piece is its ability to create something extraordinary out of ordinary items; like the bush, wood, shovel, door, bell and cement.

2.Does the video include non-linear structures (i.e. structures other than linear narrative)? These might include acausal structure, list structure, and cyclical/circular structure? Please describe in detail.

In the beginning of the piece it appears to posses a list structure as the only visual we are presented with is the bush, wood, shovel, door, bell and cement. However, as the music dynamic changes synonymously so does the structure of the visual representation. When it changes it varies to a more of a narrative piece. It does this with the introduction of the mother and you see her shoveling, planting, talking and sitting petting her dog. Another element to pay attention to is how towards the end of the piece the sun begins to set, which also implys something coming to an end, like the day, like a story. There is also a circular pattern. At the end of the video focused on just the drumming of a pot which was the same as the beginning of the video when the person was brushing the bushes.

3.Does the video modulate in pace so that it has sections of slow and fast time? Please describe this in terms of constancy and variation over the couse of the entire work.

It does modulate in different paces. As I mentioned above the beginning its very fast pace as it is mimicking the rhythm but as it changes in structure the pace changes to become slow and then in the end it speeds up again, to also mimic the circular narrative.

4.Can you see the artist paid careful attention to changes in graphical layouts and rhythmic repetitions in relation to the audio patterns that occur in the sound track? Given an example of how patterns of sound and image work together 

Sound and image work together when it is a direct picture and sound connection between the two for example at the beginning with the rustling of the bush or even the bell. Another example is when the audio posses less noises appearing it to be quieter and more relaxed, it shows a short clip of his mother petting her dog.

Well apart from the obvious numerously mentioned structural changes
5.How does the artist break patterns to avoid monotony? Give an example.

He keeps the piece from sounding monotonousness by changing the speed of the piece, the addition of the spoken word in various areas and finally the actual video clips. As mentioned above numerous times the changing of the speed has effected the piece enough so that it does not allow monotony in the piece. The next example is the addition of the voices which adds a change in tone and adds a different timbers to the overall piece. Finally the video clips, all though all of the sounds are repeating only some of the images are repeated and even some clips are only displayed once. 

6.Did the artist try abstracting at least some of the images beyond recognition a.k.a. wreck the images? Give examples.

There are no "wrecked" images in this piece. Just simple focus on Pogo's mother and the subject her "Gardyn"

7.What additional formal aspects are emphasized in this video? Analyze the following:

    •    Color temperature(s) or degrees of black and white contrast

The color composition of the piece appears to be warm with not to many blues but more yellows and warm sky's. 

   •    Graphical layout and composition of frames (the 2D layout of the picture)

The layout is constantly changing from the focus being either in the center to it being on the left or right side.

    •    Proximity (closeness of camera to subject)

The camera angles and the proximity of the camera to the focus point are close up an focused throughout the entire piece. In a majority of the frames there is one focused subject that the piece focuses on. Even though there are different shots of the bush compared to the more larger landscape pieces there always seems to be one centralized focus.

    •    Pacing

At the very beginning the pace starts slow with just one sound and progressively gets louder with addition of more sounds and voices. The addition of these elements creates a almost fast pace, until some of the sounds are dropped to isolate the voices and that then creates a feeling of a slow pace.

    •    Repetition

Apart from the obvious repetition of the "generic" sounds and their visual co-parts there is a repetition of what the voice is saying in the piece. Even though we are unable to understand the voice, the voice has a good harmony within the piece.

    •    Sensitivity to lighting and shadows as graphical elements

Being that the setting is outdoors there are bound to be shadows naturally from the sun. This however, does not create the illusion of darkness but more of warmth (as mentioned above). The sun creating its progression through the day, the same as the video progressing towards the end, is further shown by the setting of the warm afternoon sun.