Camera mounted to professor's head

Derrel · Dec 7, 2010

NYU art professor to take photos with camera implanted in the back of his head | Technology | Los Angeles Times

"In the name of art, New York University photography professor Wafaa Bilal is walking around with a camera implanted in the back of his head."

"The images, automatically taken once a minute and then streamed live online starting next week, will be showcased at the Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art when it opens Dec. 30 in Qatar."

Wow...now that's what I call using your head...

KmH · Dec 7, 2010

Well, the back of it anyway. :lmao:

edouble · Dec 7, 2010

Seems logical, wtf

Josh66 · Dec 7, 2010

I guess I'm not 'artsy' enough, because this seems completely retarded to me.

He's going to have a lens cap on it most of the time anyway, to 'protect the privacy' of his co-workers/students - so, what's the point?

cfusionpm · Dec 7, 2010

O|||||||O said:
I guess I'm not 'artsy' enough, because this seems completely retarded to me.

You'd be surprised how much college art departments EAT this stuff up. I spent two years in it at UCSD, and there was some great stuff, but I rolled my eyes at a lot of the projects that scored well. I guess I don't "get it" either.

KenC · Dec 7, 2010

cfusionpm said:
O|||||||O said:

I guess I'm not 'artsy' enough, because this seems completely retarded to me.

Click to expand...

You'd be surprised how much college art departments EAT this stuff up. I spent two years in it at UCSD, and there was some great stuff, but I rolled my eyes at a lot of the projects that scored well. I guess I don't "get it" either.

Just another case of academic types amusing themselves and each other - there's nothing to get.

Derrel · Dec 7, 2010

Definitely ought to stick to the Guns & Ammo magazine and the graphic novels AKA comic books for life, I suppose. And white bread, mac and cheese from a box, and Folgers coffee. Play it safe. Don't push the envelope, just push the button on the TV remote.

Overread · Dec 7, 2010

O|||||||O said:
I guess I'm not 'artsy' enough, because this seems completely retarded to me.

He's going to have a lens cap on it most of the time anyway, to 'protect the privacy' of his co-workers/students - so, what's the point?

I did wonder if he'd end up wearing a hat all the time - but a lens cap is just cheating!

However yah I don't see how this is art - I mean its just snapshots behind someone - clearly he's hoping for some inventive "actors" to do some silly things behind his head to get some good views

That and I'll bet there's a special group who will hound the site every day during the late hours of the night - the same group that keep vigil over BigBrother during the night hours as well

Josh66 · Dec 7, 2010

Derrel said:
Definitely ought to stick to the Guns & Ammo magazine and the graphic novels AKA comic books for life, I suppose. And white bread, mac and cheese from a box, and Folgers coffee. Play it safe. Don't push the envelope, just push the button on the TV remote.

Not sure what to make of this post...

I would hardly consider myself a conformist, but what this guy is doing is not 'pushing the envelope' to me. To me, this is no different that those dumb-ass reality shows that are always on. Just looks like a publicity stunt to me.

Josh66 · Dec 7, 2010

Maybe if he wasn't going to cover the thing up with a lens cap for most of the day, I would be more open to it.

Overread · Dec 7, 2010

I'd say 5 cameras on all the time with no lens caps or hat or long obscuring hair allowed - one either side of his head - one forward - one behind and one above.

Then it might be interesting enough - maybe - to warrant a little corner of someones attention....

Josh66 · Dec 7, 2010

If he were pushing the envelope - he would have put it on his forehead, and it would not have a lens cap.

Derrel · Dec 7, 2010

Analogy 1: Here is an artist many common people claim that they, "Do not get." Legions of people see this work and claim that they just, "don't get it". Many might stand in front of much of his work and say, "my kid coulda' painted that crap."
PIcasso - Google Search

versus this second guy who was also "an artist", and whose work was beloved by many, and eagerly anticipated every day, and every weekend, for decades.

Charles Schultz - Google Search

Analogy 2: Here were have a novel that many people think is too long, too difficult, too formidable to even bother with.
War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy. Search, Read, Study, Discuss.

versus Coraline, which is "a great book" according to many 20-somethings.
Coraline Graphic Novel by Neil Gaiman, Illustrated by P. Craig Russell

Not being "able to get it" is not really something to be proud of...but then again, anti-intellectualism has always been en vogue among a certain subset of the population.

There is "Art", and there is "kitsch". The above is sort of my way of classifying what this guy is undertaking...there are a zillion cartoonists and comic book authors...but there is only ONE Tolstoy, and only ONE Pablo Picasso.

Which other surgically-implanted camera-in-head photographer should we compare this fellow's work with? Hmm,let's run down the list of border-pushing/envelope pushing/camera-implanted-into head University of California at San Diego professors...

Josh66 · Dec 7, 2010

I guess I should go drink a Coors Light and slap my wife then... (Or is Coors too high-class? Keystone maybe?)

I get what you're saying - I really do. I just don't see it applying to 'this'.

I could hand my camera to my 3 year old daughter and get better 'art' than will come out of the back of this guy's head. In fact, I think I'll do just that. I'll let her burn a whole roll and see what she's got.

Josh66 · Dec 7, 2010

Derrel, you have inspired me - and I mean that in the most sincere way.

I was going to get my (3 year old) daughter some fake-ass plastic kitchen play-set for Christmas - but, because of you, I have changed my mind.

Now, I am thinking I will get her a camera. She already (even at 3) sees me taking pictures and tries to do the same. I'll let her do it for real, and I'll process the negs and keep them safe till she's old enough to do it on her own. Maybe one day she'll be a great photographer.

Whenever she gets old enough to make decisions on her own, she'll have the negs of every shot she's taken since 3 years old.

Obviously, it will have to be something small enough for a 3 year old to wield - for now anyway.

I'll probably still get her the kitchen set for her birthday (which is a week before Christmas - the 18th), so don't feel like you're depriving a kid of their toys, lol.

Maybe this head start will really help 20 years from now...