I was thinking of doing a calendar of fun art, but then I was thinking that a waste of paper that is. If you just want to visit with my art daily, why not try some desktop wallpaper?
Kismet Arts Tangent
Art Collective
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January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December -
ASMR: Prismatic Ventricles Present Evening and Window to My Soul – YouTube.
Visuals: my sock and statues from the Seattle Asian Art Museum, rotating videos rotating. Watch that rectangle fall.
Sounds: Evening, a tale of bells and delight and some soundscapey stuff. It’s all very engrossing. I don’t really need to say much about it.
One reviewer said: “Oh, woah. When I came to it felt like I hadn’t stopped blinking.”
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I realized something amazing was happening to me. I found the reestablishment of order. Sometimes, in my head, I fly off and become a fantastic cyber shamaness and dream of glorious wonderworlds with wiggly trees and happy boulders. I realize that it’s important to document works never made. Ideas I had then fleeted. I find myself wanting to write in stream of conciousness for a while and see what I create. I know I should have been doing this all my life, like a long Synechdoche New York. You know, where I can dream up a whole world for you to imagine. Should I begin? When does that idea become a solid? A liquid? I am in a dreamy space world where the harmonics drift up and down like a pulse… stirr it… liquid dreaming.
Okay. Why can’t we all be writers and share what’s happening? Do we not trust each other? Do we not bond with language? Broadcasted whale songs asking for help. For finding a dream that they thought they’d lost? I am a profound supporter of the creativity it takes to dream these things and the time spent there to create these works have an important undertaking.
I’ve given myself permission to write “stream of conciousness” or close to it in a series of blog posts called “My Now Life.”
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Patreon: Support the creators you love. Before publicizing my new account with Patreon, perhaps, my one big opportunity to get funding for what I do, I am doing a “soft launch.” I’ve made the account and the first video (My Patreon Video – YouTube.) where I make my case to be supported in this way.
“I sy, why not try? You can hardly lose. You might find some people who really care and love to see art happening. You might add where you think the art will end up, like galleries, shows, happenings, online, etc. so people can look for results. You might also keep a blog to report back to them every couple of weeks. They become your interest group and patrons.”
-Tom, former graphic design teacher
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“It’s very overwhelming. Both from the visual and auditory perspective. I’m left not sure what I watched exactly. The other people speaking in the background particularly threw me. The visuals felt a little bit easier to digest than the audio, although still somewhat ephemeral. I guess the question is what you want to accomplish with the video. Perhaps those feelings are what you want?
That being said, it may do exactly that for some people. On a technical level, I’d recommend getting some additional patreon goals set up now, particularly for individuals.I would offer both 5-10 dollar rewards as well as 50-100 dollar rewards with a ridiculous reward of like… a session at the Kat media lab creating media. I think that you want to harness the full power of Patreon to allow people to take part at the level that is good for them. The video… I’m not sure how to feel about it. It’s extremely challenging, but that’s not bad in art of any kind. I definitely had a hard time staying focused on any one piece of it, so it did feel a bit like floating through a different dimension with lots of stimuli from lots of different directions.” -Jon, juggler who runs a tutorial youtube channel…“it’s really short and I think you’d benefit from writing a more cohesive statement about what inspires you and why exactly you would need the money for besides rent/food. I need to try to remember if I know anyone with Patreon accounts that might be able to give pointers. perhaps show more example of art as well?” -Sofi, photographer…Support Katarina creating Sound Collages and art. Here’s the link to the profile.I think I’m going to go into the next draft with more rational appeal. I agree with what everyone, that this is an important and measured step for my development and as much as I want them to have a taste of what I am most interested in producing, I shouldn’t let that take over what the message is. The message being that I am an artist with plans, goals, achievable with time and money. All of which are measurable and reasonable. I agree with Tom, that I could make the process a bit more transparent with blogging so that my patrons are seeing behind the curtain that Art seems to try so hard to keep shut. I’m excited because I’ve always felt this sense of being an architect, a planner, someone that organizes thoughts and files it away for later. I am looking forward to sharing these files, metabolizing them into something precious. I saved it. Not all but a lot. My past is my future though however remixed/mashed/hashed. I am looking forward to seeing the person that will make these things.
I think about how I have changed and gained confidence with my work and it’s helpful for me to conceptualize myself as a shamaness because it gives me a sense of history and scrying. I am combining what could be perceived as insanity and journalistic approaches to create a hybrid of media that makes a little sense, but also has a bit of mystery. Is that my elevator pitch? I am not sure. I’m working to give words to something that has been really intuitive for me. Surprisingly, the words are coming out. With time and support, I think that the narrative will grow stronger.
My dad saw this blog post on LinkedIn and wanted to weigh in… Sweet.I thought the video was unusually compelling, original, creative, and well executed. I just do not understand why you are not a “discovered” and well compensated graphic artist and videographer. Love, Dad
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link to sweet video A Call for Christmas Commissions from Katarina – YouTube.
Need a hand-written Christmas card? How about a set of them with a demented R2-D2 (from Star Wars) motif? Does your mom need a portrait of her dog and not know how to ask for it?
For very reasonable prices (depending on complexity and materials), I am offering commissions where you approach me with a fun idea to draw, paint, video collage, interpretive dance, mix-CD, what have you and we make it happen for your gift-giving event.
What I am most excited to do is a set of custom hand-drawn-watercolor greeting cards. I have been making my family Holiday cards yearly and to make them for other families seems really special and the next big leap in acheiving my dreams (which is making people feel special). These cards measure 5″ × 6-7/8″(127 mm × 175 mm). Each package includes matching envelopes. Quick turn around. Order today and I’ll get started immediately and have them in the mail tomorrow! Set of 5 for $20 and a set of 10 for $28.
link to item at the online shop: Katarina Countiss Multimedia — Custom Card Sets.
Stay warm and drive safe.
I will be having other product/offerings soon. Find me through TWITTER, FACEBOOK, EMAIL.
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I asked people whose musical tastes I trusted for their favorite albums to absorb and here I am taking notes.
Modest Mouse – Sad Sappy Sucker Full Album – YouTube.
Summary: As far as I know, classic Modest Mouse. I think of them as The Decemberists with more snare. Tamborine usage is nice towards the end of the song. “Do you connect?”
Analysis:
Fun parts: I liked the solo vocal where it sounded like someone talk/singing through a static hand radio. One song starts with a thunder storm. Yes.
Notes: I want to do a cover of Australopithecus
[HQ]On Avery Island – Full Album – YouTube
Summary: Everyone wants to recommend Neutral Milk Hotel to me, so I have heard some tracks. I like jingle bells and what sounds like a chainsaw effect.
Analysis: Jeff Mangum, like Bob Dylan, has a distinctive singing voice. Lately, I’ve been thinking if I have some intuitive singing voice that naturally comes out, where I don’t feel like a fake.
Fun parts: Carousel music on scratchy guitar
Notes: I love towards the end of the album, it’s just slow walking notes in an eerie whoawhoah type noise. A great warning that the album is about to end. Sad about its own demise.
“the Banana Album by the Velvet Underground” The Velvet Underground and Nico Full album vinyl LP – YouTube.
Summary: The start is wonderful. I immediately smiled. “oh, yes. This.” Suunndaayy Mornin’. Femme Fatale – YouTube. Sounds like Christmas with Maple Syrup. I love it.
Analysis:
Fun parts: Crisp high pitched xylaphone sound carpet
Notes: Sounds like the 50s, but an ironic note, like celebrating nostalgia more than anything
Yes – Tales from Topographic Oceans Full Album – YouTube.
Summary: This is a story album. It starts off slow, establishing a setting. Chanting is beautiful.
Analysis: Hippie Circle in the best of circumstances, channeling some really great messages that shouldn’t be missed.
Fun parts: Almost like slow disco with the wailing guitar. Great section towards the ends with bells like a psychedelic alarm
Notes: Some of the female vocals, it’s a husky richness that I would almost say was “Bjorkian” but so straight. No tricks.
David Bowie – Hunky Dory full album HQ – YouTube.
Summary: I’m very familiar with these works. Hard to imagine them in an album. It’s been a wild Bowie pastiche in my memories through collage of references.
Analysis: Very grandiose, at times, big personalilty
Fun parts: Was there an ending where there was a gentle bass drum fading out, yes.
Notes:
THE BEATLES – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band [Full Album] – YouTube.
Summary: “I have to admit it’s getting better.”
Analysis:
Fun parts: Droning, violin and a harp sounds right, then some psychedelic crooning. I dig.
Notes: I need more laugh tracks on my stuff.
The Thermals – The Body, The Blood, The Machine [full album] – YouTube.
Summary: “I have to admit it’s getting better.”
Analysis:
Fun parts: Droning, violin and a harp sounds right, then some psychedelic crooning. I dig.
Notes: I need more laugh tracks on my stuff.
Björk Vespertine Full Album 2001 – YouTube.
Summary: “I have to admit it’s getting better.”
Analysis:
Fun parts: Droning, violin and a harp sounds right, then some psychedelic crooning. I dig.
Notes: I need more laugh tracks on my stuff.
Marilyn Manson – Antichrist Superstar
Eels – Electro Shock Blues
White Stripes – Get Behind Me Satan
Weezer – Pinkerton
Beck – Mellow Gold
Tool – AenimaThe American Analog Set – Know by Heart
The Flaming Lips – Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots
Nick Drake – Pink Moon
Seabear – The Ghost That Carried Us Away
The New Pornographers – Twin Cinema
This Will Destroy You – Young Mountain
Broken Social Scene – Self Titled
Wolf Parade – Apologies to the Queen Mary
The Mountain Goats – The Sunset Tree
Los Campesinos – Hold on Now, Youngster…
Carissa’s Wierd – Songs Aboout Leaving
The Field Mice – Where’d You Learn to Kiss That Way?
The Hold Steady – Separation Sunday
Arcade Fire – Funeral
Why? – AlopeciaYs – Joanna NewsomI’m Wide Awake It’s Morning – Bright EyesLet England Shake – PJ HarveySilent Shout – The KnifeThe Idler Wheel Is Wiser Than The Driver Of The Screw And Whipping Cords Will Serve You More Than Ropes Will Ever Do – Fiona AppleFrank Zappa – Roxy and ElsewhereKing Crimson – LizardPink Floyd – AnimalsThe Beatles – Abbey RoadDire Straits – Making MoviesTom Lehrer – An Evening Wasted with Tom LehrerStevie Wonder’s Journey Through the Secret Life of PlantThe Police – SynchronicityGenesis – The Lamb Lies Down on BroadwayMark Knopfler – Shangri-LaThe Mars Volta – De-Loused in the Comatorium Full Album HD – YouTube.
Charles Bradley full album No time for dreaming Songs in description Underrated artists – YouTube.
Allman Brothers At Fillmore East 1971 HQ – YouTube.
Ben Folds – Rockin’ the Suburbs
Gnarls Barkley – The Odd Couple
Hendrix – Electric Ladyland
Tool – 10,000 Days -
ASMR: Technology, Uh… Sort Of By Prismatic Ventricles – YouTube.This was a mix of a lot of talking. This was a mix of most of my videos in quick succession. Some sped up. Pretty disorienting. No flow. I do like ambient laughter of children. There’s some of that. It might be a great demo reel of my video editing inclinations if the audio was a little more polished.
This was before I switched from longform (20 minutes) to something under ten minutes. I can imagine someone getting a little impatient when there’s no story to follow. Great for an installation in a gallery setting, maybe?
The audio
Recorded on a 3Dio Freespace Pro Binaural Microphone: An event in Town Hall. A slice of kaleidescopic pie. Layers of searching for more sound.
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ASMR: Prismatic Ventricles Present Sunday Morning, Wake Up – YouTube.I spent the afternoon with Melanie. We went to Seattle Center for the CroatiaFest. There’s always a multicultural turn out at Seattle Center on a nice day. Children are adorable as well. I am not sure about the ethical considerations of recording sounds without permission. I consider it like taking tourist photos. People happen to get into the shot and there they are. Beautiful voices of beautiful strangers.
There’s also some fascinating architecture there. I enjoyed the fountains and covered walkways very much. The kaleidescopic video is strangely haunting. The way that the sheet of reflected videos slowly rotates to reveal that there’s more like an endless plain of video is very intriguing, but I think the center inset stole the show with its feathered edges and its scale pulsing, getting a little bigger then a little smaller, like some kind of alien morse code.
Youtube commenters:
“Wow! I haven’t seen one of your vids in a while… This i really cool ! I feel like I just had the experience of meditating as an extraterrestrial being lol. Loved the darkness moment! The breaks/pauses really enhance the high energy parts :)
Great job- I can’t believe you don’t have a million followers! ”“Love this one Kat, it’s kind of eerie and perfect for a walk through the cemetery!
Is Halloween in your mind?”The audio
Recorded on a 3Dio Freespace Pro Binaural Microphone: walking around Seattle Center and going to the Croatian Fest at Seattle Center where Ženska Klapa Ruzmarin was playing. I got a few snippets of their wonderful harmonies and essentially pulled it apart until it was the haunting tones in this video, Melanie and I also found a bell to yell in and water fountains gurgling.
Kismet Arts Tangent 
