Cool Sites

Most of the sites I go to aren't visually stimulating, but I'll try to think of some...

One site I frequent is the site for the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, which is held in Manchester Tennesee every June. The site, www.bonnaroo.com , is actually a pretty nice looking site. Every year they redesign the layout, adding new Bonnaroo-inspired art. It has a very modern look to it, with a lot of color. Theres video on the main page, as well as streaming Bonnaroo Radio. The site has a lot of cool functions too. You can create an account and have your own page, kind of like a facebook where you can interact with the online Bonnaroo community. One of the coolest features, however, is how you can create your own Bonnaroo schedule each year when the artist schedule has been released. You can customize which shows you plan to attend, then compare your schedule with your friends. It will show which shows both you and your friend are attending.

The site has really blossomed over the past couple years into more than just a website regarding festival news.

Is it art?

I've always been a fan of artwork. But at the same time, I can also be quite critical of different types of art. Often times I will see a piece of art, and instantly think to myself, "Are you kidding me? That's not art." (this reminds me of a time when I was looking at an art exhibit and saw a battery glued to a green-painted canvas, and I couldnt believe the price it was going for because I thought it was utterly rediculous). I realize that anything can be considered art, even if I don't like it or understand it, so I try to give everything a fair look. An example of this can be found on the Art 21 site by PBS by artist Mark Dion. With this particular photo, I personally don't understand the point of the outfits on mannequins. I think to myself, "If this is art, then every mannequin in every store must be considered art". But then again, I don't consider myself an artist so what do I know? For all I know, this could be amazing art. I guess that's what art is all about though, appealing to different people and ways of thought. Maybe some people understand it, and thats great. Art would cease to be artistic if EVERYONE felt the same way about all types of art.

http://www.pbs.org/art21/slideshow/popup.php?slide=1388#

Album Art Photography

Hello. This week I'd like to share some photographs inspired by one of my favorite albums. The album is Mantis by Umphreys's McGee. The album cover and other photos were taken and designed by photographer Mark Blanchette. These paritcular photos were made to reflect one of the themes of the album, which dealt with an all-seeing, higher power. This first picture in the portfolio, which was used as the album cover, was inspired when Mark heard the lyrics "It's not a cage if you're feeling like a resident" from the song "Cemetery Walk". I find the images to be very powerful.

http://www.grymwish.com/

About Myself

My name is Brian Mazzara. I'm 21 years old and from West Lafayette, Indiana.

If I had to pick one thing that influences and inspires me, it would definitely be music. Music has been an integral part of my life for quite some time, but more so throughout the past 4-5 years. I play guitar in a band with my best friends. I get so much joy out of it. I started playing music as a kid on the piano, but I didnt enjoy it. I played saxophone throughout middle and high school and was quite good at it. I picked up the guitar about halfway through high school, as my favorite music was guitar driven. My band's website is www.myspace.com/bigfootwallace

Nothing inspires me more than my family, friends, and music. There's nothing I'd rather do than spend time with my family and go see concerts with my friends. My favorite thing in the world to do is attend concerts, especially Umphrey's McGee

( http://www.myspace.com/umphreysmcgee ) . Since Nov. 07, I have seen them 12 times, and it will be 13 when they come to Bloomington this October. There is no bigger rush for me than the anticipation of each song throughout the show. I was also fortunate enough to catch Phish 5 times this summer, which was a blast as well. I love music festivals as well, and have attended Bonnaroo 4 times. These are the types of things that get me really pumped.