WEEK 12

 Here’s the new album for WEEK 12. I thought that if I was doing 2 albums in a week I would be able to make up for the lost time, but till now it was just a total failure. But don’t worry, I didn’t give up yet. I still plan to upload 52 re-rec albums for 2011.

 The notes about how these album works are in the end of the album. I’m also thinking about new sections. I have a couple of ideas, but I still don’t know if it would be a good idea or not considering these albums are already (quite, too?) substantial… by the way, if you want to give me some ideas or opinions about that, it would a pleasure to read them!

1. Multicoloured (thimbles)

A new painting by thimbles. I won’t have much to say about it, I like this record for being a painting, the abundance of colors and matter in it. I can also imagine a story behind the painting, which it means that this record is quite inspirational. The impression of abundance or overabundance of matter/paints makes me think that the painter (it’s a fiction, I’m not talking about thimbles) painted this when he/she was in a fury, you know, as if the painting was a sort of outlet, especially because it’s an abstract painting, because it’s about matter, it’s about paints and not any subject or theme. That’s what I like to do sometimes, imagine the origin of an artwork… it’s a part of the inspirational process I think.

This record can be reused as a background, a texture, or something else. I just wonder if the fact that the photo is blurred will be a problematic for the reuse of the record or not… but I guess it won’t…

2. They all look the same (Laurikiz)

Laurikiz uploaded only 3 records, but I really wish to see more of her work. I find her record very interesting. And I kinda agree with what she wrote for this record: “Politicians, they all look (and act) the same sometimes. There's still hopes, so let's work for a better future, even if we're not here to live it..” except that I would problably remove the ‘sometimes’ :)

Like Revolution by RedHeadMonster, Censorship by missamerica (record n°4) or Dear Autocrat (Metaphorest/pamagotchi), it’s a more political record than others, and like I said few weeks before, about these previous records, it’s more about the humanist side of Politics than its ideological or democratic side. I won’t say more about this topic because I wouldn’t be too boring.

I like different elements in this photo: the title of course, but also how the topic was depicted. The blue sky is an efficient and intelligent choice because it removes any melodramatic side that you can find with this kind of topic (black clouds and sky, no hope for the future, etc.). The record is not pessimistic; it remains optimistic and hopeful for a better future (I would say without the politicians, “let’s work for a better future” means to me that we need to free ourselves from the politicians but that’s just an extrapolation).

I like the fact that the character is pointing at something on the left side (and is body is turned to the left), and not on the right because it makes me think that she’s pointing at the past (the things you/we have to change for a better future) and not the future. It’s not about only looking toward the future and what we have to do to change the world, it’s also about looking toward the past to not make the same mistakes (take the lessons from History – and I personally think we should do that more often…).

I like the carry bag on the face of the person, because it makes me think that people (personified by the person in the photo) don’t want to witness the actions of the politicians anymore. They don’t want to see that politicians look and act the same. I just don’t know how to explain the red lipsticks, and I’m curious and interested to see what you think about this and the entire record.

In conclusion, I would say that this record might be seen as a simple photo, one among another, but I think it’s more interesting and less innocent that we could think first. It can even be remixed: from the description of the photo by Laurikiz, someone can find a tiny story to add to the picture (there’s enough place on the left).

3. Polka-Dot Girl (Mpunkt)

This is a very original record. I really like how Mpunkt mixed photo and drawing together. Everything is on point, there are no overabundant details, and everything’s just perfect for me. The few black outlines remind me of the kohl (cosmetics) used to darken the eyelids and eyelashes. Both black lines and kohl have the same function. They outline, they accentuate some details. And I love how these black lines were used in this record.

I also like how Mpunkt remixed Syoh’s idea. She didn’t use the original record, she reinterpreted in her personal style (with lights) and it’s an original way to remix a record (it’s more about remixing the idea than the record actually). Great job. I’d love to see more of this kind of remixing process.  

4. Censorship (missamerica)

I mentioned this record before (Laurikiz’s record) and I like this one for the same thing, the topic. I also like the fact that each time there’s a complete different representation of the political idea. Here, it’s about censorship and it’s very well done. The photo is efficient and artistic as the same time. It’s a straightforward record, we go straight to the point and I like it. There’s not flashy mise-en-scene. And like Day Glo said in his comment, it’s a striking image.

And the color adjustment is also interesting. I don’t especially agree with missamerica when she said that the taupe color is quite neutral but I like her choice. But what I really love it’s that she readjusted the color of her eyes in order to find their original color. For me, the eyes make this photo special. It’s like they counterbalance the taupe-ness of the photo which is the symbol of the censorship (it’s definitely not a neutral color for me) and it’s the extension of the color of the scotch-tape. I would say that the blue eyes mean that even if you censor people, you can’t control their mind (or their souls: eyes, window of the soul…), you can’t stop them from protesting or disagreeing. These blue eyes show us how, in a way, we remain free (spirits) if everything in the society is done to take away this freedom (of speech). Again, it’s not an innocent record, and I like when an artwork makes you think.

Great job.

5. Frankenstein (j3551c4)

 I think a story has already been selected for the (Not so) Tiny Story (it’s about Dr Jekyll and Mister Hyde right?) but I wanted to add this idea anyway because Mary Shelley’s book is one of my favourite novels (I don’t know it’s in public domain though). The story is very well written. It’s a brilliant book that combines almost all kind of genres: drama, love, sci-fi, thriller, philosophical topics. I really think it’s a fascinating story, really inspirational and striking (visually speaking).

I love all the themes developed in the book but I have to say the one about the Modern Prometheus is my favourite: it’s about the meaning of life, the suffering of losing a loved one, the creator vs the monster (who’s actually the monster?), etc.

I know it’s a complex story, but I’m sure this story offers great potentialities for a collaboration work… maybe later? 

6. Traffic/Colors (cinematic.audiophile)

Matt was faster than me for re-recommending this record. and like him, I also think footage in 16mm are special and priceless, I quote: “Nothing quite has the look, feel and beauty of 16mm film”. I don’t much more things to say about it, I totally agree with Matt and I think that if I try to write something myself, it will be too cheesy, so here’s what Matt said about this fantastic record: “As our society distances itself further and further from film in favor of digital technology this collection of raw footage by cinematic.audiophile is a reminder of how stunning celluloid looks. For starters this footage could be incorporated into video REmixes as cutaway footage of some kind. It's also worth checking out of you're interested in cinematography. There are some good shots in here to examine and study.” I couldn’t have said this in a better way. I also like his thought about reel/digital footage.

7. A REcord is More than the Sum of its Hearts: suggestions for overall improvement regarding the administration of hitrecord.org (seldelaterre)

I won’t have much to say about this record because a lot have already been said about it and I don’t have new ideas on the topic. I thought first I might contribute to this, then I made a picture (RE-REC Albums are the KEY) and now I think that I don’t need to do more. It won’t be useful (as I already said, everything has been written about it… I think).

But I wanted to add this record to this album because it was, I think, the first one, or one of the first records about this topic, and I liked the honesty (and courage?) of seldelaterre. I found them interesting and fair.

And reading this record, it’s also a good way to think about what we personally think about this subject. It encourages us to question ourselves about the reasons behind our contribution to Hitrecord; why we came here first; what our goals are; what we’re expecting from this place, etc. And even if these answers remain private, I think it’s interesting for all of us to have these questions and answers in mind.

8. Irish Melody (Pete Conrad)

I love Celtic music (that’s my Celtic side) and the title of the track was really appealing to me. I was happily surprised because it wasn’t exactly what I was expecting (I had another idea of Irish music…) but I really like it. I love the small variation of rhythm in the music: some slower moments, some faster ones, but everything remains consistent and subtle.

It’s a simple and humble music but I’m surprised that it wasn’t already used as a soundtrack for a video project. It’s also perfect for a poem, or you can write lyrics and remix this track with your singing. It’s a lovely and peaceful song. Very inspirational.

9. Vals de la Zorra Perdida (Expoobident)

Here’s another song I love. It’s totally different from the previous one, but this waltz is also very inspiring. I like how Expoobident mixed a more classic melody with an electronic style. There are already 6 remixes of this music but I’m sure there’s still some other ways to use it.

It’s a very original piece, very dynamic with some rhythmic variations, but again it’s very well done. It’s a pleasure to listen to it.  

10. Half of me Orcestration (final) (hedge)

This song remains the last song I loved. It was really a slap in the face. That’s why I might be cheating a little bit because this record received only 27 recommendations but it was a very popular collaboration (the ‘rough’ version received 253 hearts). Everything’s is just perfect (lyrics, singing, score, etc.), and this time, I won’t talk much about it. You will have to listen to it, to feel and live this song.  This song became my favourite one on hitRECord so far. It’s also a great example of the collaborative process. If you wonder what collaboration is, this song gives you an answer. 

Special Mention to: SIMONDOTCALM

This week, this Special mention to section will have hip hop vibes. We find some songs in a Hip Hop style, but not a lot of visual records. That’s why I like Simon’s work. It’s very eclectic, inspired and inspirational.

You can find very different graphic styles and genres, more classical (Classic Portrait), work in progress till the final result (Ove Yourself/Version 2/ Version 3), graffiti (Graffiti Edo, composition #12 and 9), drawing, collages, painting, graffiti, etc.

There’s also a multiplicity of the artistic techniques which contributes to give very striking images. Amber Rays for example is a mix of a writing piece, a photography and graphic design. The ‘journal’ record is actually a very useful and interesting record to reuse. It offers a lot of possibilities (I think about the Tiny Stories). Cityscape is a great collage graphic design.

I love Simon’s style. I find it very original and unique. I think it brings a new graphic genre on hitRECord (I would call it the Hip Hop vibes) and I’d love to see this genre being more explored and used.

1. Composition #12

2. Composition #9

3. Cityscape

4. Journal Portrait

5. Self Portrait

6. Amber Rays

7. Journal

8. Graffiti Edo 

9. Throw Up

10. Fruede #9

11. Ove Yourself

            + Version 2

            + Version 3

12. Classic Portrait

WEEK 13: I still have to explore all my last recommendations to organize the next albums. Sorry, no preview this time. (I’m not even sure that it’s read by anyone…).

Notes About these RE-RECs Albums

How it works (if you don’t mind, I will add this at the beginning of each album, in that way, if you discover one of my album for the first time, you will always be able to know how it works… I think these notes are important to understand these re-recs albums’ spirit… but maybe I’m wrong? If you think it’s useless, just tell me! I will remove this memo. No worries!)

As I started doing RE-REC Albums few weeks ago, they work differently from what Matt explained in the recent and great RE-RECommendation’s Album Guide. That’s why I thought it might be interesting to tell you how I make these albums.

So, what I am doing exactly?

1. This is a weekly album. Each week I upload a new album with 10 RECords + a “Special Mention to” Section. At the end of the year, I should have 52 RE-REC albums.

2. I’m supposed to upload these albums every Sunday. Each album is about the RECords I RECommnended the week(s) before. If I can’t upload the album on Sunday, I will still keep the Sunday date in the title as a reference point.

3. There will be 10 RECords on the RE-RECommendation part.

In fact, there will be more than 10 records most of time. Why? Because I’m a CheatER! More seriously, there is a reason: when I talk about a record, it can be a remix of few original records, or this record can have some result records that I want to mention. In that way, the original record’s title will be the title of a new record entity: the sum of these few records: so I consider this entity as 1 record only.

That’s not completely cheating, the records are connected to each other, if I’m doing this choice is because I think I can’t talk about one of them without the others (especially if it’s a remix).

4. I don’t classify the records by medium because it would have been too tidy for me. I like to let some space to vagueness, to uncertainty, to heterogeneity, etc.

So, what I usually do: I go to my personal RECommendation page, and I follow the list of RECommended RECords: I talk about the records I recommended first, so logically, the last one will be the last record I will have recommended (in fact, it never happens, because I have more recommended records than number of records in each album…).

That’s why sometimes; you can find mainly audio records, video records, image records, etc. and not an exhaustive list of records considering all the media. It depends on what I discover or search on hitRECord.

5. The first record of an album, or the last one, is not especially my favorite. There’s no difference or preference between all of the records.

6. I recommend in these albums only records that don’t have a lot of views (or not enough…). So you probably won’t find in this 10 records list any featured or popular records. That’s just a personal choice; with these albums, I wanted to give the opportunity and the chance to some records to be discovered.

7. If in the RECommendation list on my page, there are successively a lot of records of the same hitRECorder, I’ll try to not choose all of them in the same weekly album. There won’t be more than 2 records of a same hitRECorder in a same album.

8. There is another section at the end of the albums; I’m calling it “Special Mention To”: it’s different from the RE-REC part. Here, I will focus on an artist, a record, a theme or a medium. In this section, I can talk about featured, popular or more confidential records. It depends on my inspiration.

9. As I try to respect hitRECorders and RECords that I recommend in these albums, I try to explain as much as I can why I have decided to talk about them. Comments about records are not equal, sometimes it can be short, and sometimes it can be long. It doesn’t mean that I give more importance to some records than others. For some, I just need few words to explain my thoughts, and for others, I need to develop the ideas or I simply have more things to say about them.

10. More longer will be my comments and albums, more I will make mistakes in English. Q.E.D.

I hope it won’t be too painful or boring to read… but c’mon, why doesn’t everyone speak or understand French??? (I’m kidding!)

11. With the “Special Mention to” section, there will be logically more than 10 RECords in these albums. I hope you won’t mind. I tried to create these albums as a traveling or exploration more than simple RE-REC Albums. And I hope it helps you to discover more hitRECord Art… but you don’t have to read everything! You can avoid reading my comments but, at least don’t avoid the RECords. Please. And if you like them, heart them and give them a feedback!

12. Bon voyage!