A "SITE" To Be Seen

AmeriCorps an experience in it's self. What I knew about AmeriCorp before signing up was just you had to do volunteer work. I didn't know it's history or the connection the Media Arts had with it. As I looked in to AmeriCorps I learned that it's not just internships and volunteer stuff. It's a "give back while you gain" program.  To my surprise as a member you have to go through the whole interview process, showing you portfolio and choosing the right place for you. I had not done this for any of my internship before. I think that's why I value my position at SITE Santa Fe more than any other internship before - Not to say my other internships haven't been life experience. 

1. I have been with SITE for 6 weeks. In that time my experience has been wonderful. Not only has my skill set been helpful but I have had so many complement on my go-with-the-flow professional attitude. Being able to stay cool under pressure has earned me recognition amidst staff and interns.

As a intern at SITE I have used my education in Media Arts several ways. My first assignment was to document an artist performance. Next I used my photoshop skills to resize and import images into documents and I designed a press image packets. A big project was given to me a week before the newest art exhibit opened. The project was to figure out how to design and install digital panels in the front entry of the building. On the day of the opening, while I finished the panel install, I was asked to export a slideshow and get it installed. I also got to document one of the art pieces in the gallery. But the biggest gold star I earned was last week when SITE couldn't get someone to film an artist talk they asked me. I was able to film and edit that piece and it will be on their podcast channel that's linked on their website. My skill-set has come in very very handy and I am having a positive experience with SITE.

2. For enriching the community, that's something I feel like I could work a little harder on. I know time is moving fast but I had hoped that there would be time to participate in training, CPR etc. With all the wildfires in the area I'd love to have training under my belt so if I'm called on as a AmeriCorps member I can answer.

Since I've been with AmeriCorps and SITE I have only been a part of the community art performance "I Write the Songs" in the Santa Fe Plaza. While I worked on documenting the event I wore my AmeriCorps button and intruded my self as a intern with SITE through AmeriCorp. And today I had the honor to present on behalf of the Media Arts interns and AmeriCorp to Near Eastern Delegation. A group of artist and museum staff from Iraq, Egypt and many other countries in the area.

I would really like to volunteer and take advantage of the training AmeriCorps has to offer. I feel like I need to give back one way or another.

3. I work under different staff member when the project calls for it. Mostly I work with Anne Wrinkle, she is over public affairs and marketing. I help with press archiving and media elements. Working with Ms. Anne, I have learned why it is important to document articles, the processes that go into raising money through auctions, and getting things done on time. Ms. Anne is also the email queen. I have never seen a person email so much. When I'm not working with Ms. Anne I'm with Ms. Joanne Lefrak, Director of Education and Outreach and learning the in's and out's of the staff of SITE.  

When I started I felt like I had stepped out of my comfy bubble of film and digital media. I have relish being out of my bubble and doing something different.

4. My service with AmeriCorps is still in process. "AmeriCorps bring Americans communities together." I hope that my work within museums, rather it's at SITE or somewhere else, helps with pulling in the community. By being an example to others, working hard with out causing issues, and taking every opportunity to give back, like it or not. Rather I continue with AmeriCorp or move on, I hope that what I've learned will travel with me. 

Enjoy!

Jason Statham: Naked, Not Naked and Questionable Nakedness

For your movie pleasure, I have compiled a list of Jason Statham movies where his nakedness comes into question. Feel free to question my list. For, as I am sad to say, I haven't seen all of his movies.

Gets Naked, more like shirtless:

*The Transporter 

*Transporter 2 

*Crank 

In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale 

*War 

**Death Race 

*Transporter 3 

*Crank: High Voltage 

*The Expendables 

The Mechanic 

Doesn't Get Naked, his handsome face is all the skin showing :

*Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels 

*Snatch. 

Ghosts of Mars 

*The Italian Job 

*Cellular 

Revolver 

*The Pink Panther 

*The Bank Job 

***Gnomeo & Juliet 

Questionable Nakedness, I haven yet to see or can't remember:

Turn It Up 

*The One 

Mean Machine 

Collateral 

London 

Chaos 

13 

_____________________________________________________

*The movies of Jason Statham I have seen.

**More than just shirtless.

***Sexy voice only.

SITE'ing It Up!

My first weeks at SITE were awesome. Now that that's clear let me move on to the next few weeks of SITE adventures.

I have been with SITE, starting this Tuesday, five weeks. In that first few weeks at SITE I have meet the staff and artist, met with the lead graphic designer, filmed a event, worked on a design layout for press images, and managed the ever increasing list of auction items.

These past two weeks at SITE have been a little different. Because most of the interns at SITE are not getting paid, crazy right? SITE is providing little event days for interns. On these days we get a one-on-one sit down with a SITE staff member to chat with them and ask questions. We've learned a lot about the life of a museums employee and it's a great way get comfortable with your employers, for me, gain a better respect for them. Also, for these event days we get to go on a field trip. Yay! Our first trip was to meet with an artist from MeowWolf at the CCA and the "Due Return." Ya'll need to check it out.

That week I was asked to help with the design and install of two 46" LED HD Digital Samsung panels. SITE wanted one of the panels to run a scrolling text of "Thank You's" for the donors and members of SITE Santa Fe and the other to have a slide show of images with information of events and up & coming events. So that was my job for a week and half. I had to do some trouble shooting. The best way I knew how to achieve this was through Final Cut or Flash. Because SITE didn't have Fnal Cut and neither do I. I went with Flash, but I had so much trouble with exporting it to Quicktime (SITE doesn't have Flash) I went with Keynote (which only one computer has Keynotes on it and that computer is in the attic.) Needless to say it was a pain to work through all of that but I did. And I installed the panel and had one screen working with the scrolling text. Yet now I'm working on getting the other panel to run the image slide show at the same time as the scrolling text. The photos show the computer system I have to use, the HTMI inputs and what the panels look like with the scrolling text. It's so groovy!

On the Members Opening event at SITE, I worked, not only on the panels but on exporting and installing a image slideshow of the Santa Fe Plaza event for "I Write the Songs." That took a few tries but final got it and it looks great.

For the Free Public Opening I film the artist Suzanne Bocangra's performing art piece "Little Dots." It was tons of fun. Come and check it out on Friday.

I'm not sure what this week might hold for me. I am sure it will be fun and a exciting.

Ps. I hope I can get that dang panels to work right. You got any ideas?

Enjoy!

SITE's Site Needs a Make Over

SITE Santa Fe

At SITE no one is really fond of the website. In fact they are working on revamping it right now. Their current website offer enough information but lacks style. Most links take you away from the site. They need to let me get a hold of it and play. I need the practice ;)

For SITE
Role #1: "... Allow people to customize information to meet their own needs
Provide people with direct access to the information that means the most to them."
SITE's site has a good hierarchy of fonts to show the viewer what's important and what's going on now. But let's say you are looking up a certain artist from SITE's past that's not that easy. They have no search engine box on the site. That might help.
 
Role #2: "... Provide links to primary and related sources and material." SITE does do this but it's SITE generated information. You have to do extra typing and searching to find more. Out side links to the artist home page would be nice.

Role #3: "... Make your information easy to share." It's easy enough but it's in PDF form and not that interesting. Trying "Issuu.com" or something similar would dress it up. Even having AR market base element embedded around the site would be nice.

Role #4: "... Create your own networks and build communities around your content
Facilitate shared experiences, connect people with shared interests." SITE has a Twitter and Facebook but having it more advertised and getting more people connected with social network sharing would be helpful.

Role #5: "... Provide timely information when and where people need it most
Make your information portable." The Twitter and other social element are not kept up fast enough. But they have them and if people used them it might work better.

Role #6: "...Geo-location changes everything…In-gallery tours and information provision AND…
Connecting your content to real-world locations, sending the information to the patron. Create opportunities for information immersion and augmented realities." I'm going to sweet talk SITE into letting me work on something for them. I think it will help bring in the audience they'd like to have walking around their gallery.

These are good guide lines that would help SITE's site.

Enjoy!

Out of the Frying Pan and Into the Pot

So life happens and things change, new plans are made, and doors you think are closed open up. That was a brief idea of what went down my last semester at New Mexico Highlands University (NMHU.) The plan was to finish my BFA, relax and do only what I wanted to over the Summer, and then move somewhere to start an MFA program. That didn't happen. So, my husband and I had to make a new plan (which we're still working on) and find jobs. Lucky my husband renewed his job with NMHU (where he teaches english classes) for another year. Him being set it was up to me to find something to - Here's where the door that was closed opened up - AmeriCorps!

A semester or two ago my department, Media Arts, became a part of the AmeriCorps umbrella and started helping students who have graduated or a semester away from graduating find jobs in places (mostly museums) around New Mexico. A lot of great students found great jobs.

I never put much thought into AmeriCorp, mostly because I'd hope to be heading off to my next adventure, out of state. But the plan changed and AmeriCorps was a close door that was cracked and needed to be open. I signed up. And as my final semester came to an end I went out and interviewed at three museums/galleries in Santa Fe, NM. They all sound great but the best one was SITE Santa Fe.

I had worked with SITE on their 7th Biennial in 2008 and really enjoyed that experience. And when SITE wanted to hire me I jumped through that door.

What you might not know about SITE you can find here... CLICK ME.

Pretty cool!

It was like the saying, "Out of the frying pan and into the pot." Meaning I went from finishing my BFA to a trip to LA to finish up a class in AR to work at SITE. I'm not one for slowing down.

My first week was nice, meeting and grating. But that was just the first hour. After that they put me to work. Using Microsoft Excel, which I haven't used in like 4 four years, and importing images into a spreadsheet. Did you know you can put images into a spreadsheet? I didn't. After that first week in External Affairs I got asked to help with some press images packets. Then put in charge of laying out the new 46" LED panel screens with content and images. Since my first day I have meet with the artists who will be featured in the next show, the graphic designer, and the head Philips Curator. I have filmed one event and am scheduled to film a few more before the first of July. All in all this Summer has shaped up in a good way. AmeriCorps was a perfect idea and SITE is so groovy.

I promise that the next few post want be this long, but I'm horrible, I  have to start all my stories from the "In the Beginning" point.

Enjoy!

Letter to a friend who's planning their 1st NM trip.

Ok! I'm got the HOT spots for you.

Hi! How are you?

So if your are starting in Santa Fe stay at the Saga Inn.

We've stayed there a few time and it's great. We've never had an issue, the staff is super cool, the breakfast is really nice, it's cheap and it's close to a lot of the best of downtown Santa Fe.

Across the street from the hotel is the Railyard park it's super nice. During the summer months they have event and art shows. There are also 3 or 4 art museums there that are fun to look around if that's your kind of thing. Jared might like SITE Sante Fe, http://www.sitesantafe.org/. I work on a project for them a few years ago. They always have fun stuff and media arty things. Also, in the mornings the railyard host a farms market. It's the bomb!

At the farms market you'll be at the railyard. In about block you're at the railyard station. Take the old train to Lamy. It's beautiful and you feel like you're in the old west. You can also take a ride on the Rail Runner to Albuquerque (Abq). Abq. is fun but there's not as many places to visit there. You can go and see some really nice museums. But, if I were you I'd go to the Centeral Ave./ Nob Hill. It's over by the University of New Mexico. Over there it's a lot like Poplar Ave. and U of M in Memphis but way cooler. There's some really fun shops, clothes, art, comics. It's fun over there. If you do go swing by the Flying Star. It's great place for lunch. It's like McAlister Deli but New Mexican style. Another cool place in Abq. is Uptown. It's kind of like the Carriage Crossing in Collierville just with the New Mexico twist. That's about all as far as Albuquerque goes. Back to Santa Fe...

Down another block from the railyard you'll come to Sambrusco Shopping. There is an Rei store, Borders and a little inside shopping mall. There are ton of fun shopping place all over that area.

The best places to eat, I think, are Zia Dinner. It's pretty famous. Tomasita's, the Cowgirl and Kohnami Restaurant. All nice places.

Now if you don't mind a few minutes walk you can go down town to the Santa Fe Plaza. It's totally amazing. They have the church with the crazy stair case, there's our favorite toy store in the whole world, Moon Rabbits Toys! You'll totally love it down there. Don't be afraid of walking down very and all streets. On good days there are Native American and Hispanic artist selling their wonderful jewelry and art. It's so amazing. And the history behind them is cool. Do swing by the Palace of the Governors (The oldest continuously used public building in the United States) and the History Museum.

There's also a very cool little street that circles around and very building on the street is an art gallery. It's really fun. I can't remember the street address but when I do I'll pass it on.

On your way back you'll pass by a little antique shop inside the shop is the best little Greek cafe in the world Cleopatra Cafe. You must stop there, at lease once. The little shop is totally cool too.

The place to eat while you're in Santa Fe are; Backroads Pizza, The Pantry, and Jambo Cafe.

The Santa Fe Reporter will be a great help when planning things to do besides eat.

Now, Taos, NM is fun for a hippy, chil-lax, day. There's so much to do like, relax. It's just great. Take the drive from Las Vegas to Taos. I think it's the best way to view this beautiful state. While there have a meal at Joseph Kitchen. It's pricy but really good. You totally get what you pay for. There's a fun book store called Moby Dickens. It's a great place to just relax. When you get ready to leave, there is a back road from Taos to Santa Fe. Try to leave Taos just as the sun sets. It'll take you breath away.

In the original Las Vegas, our home town, It's small but for all its small town-ness it's really wonderful. Stay at the Plaza Hotel. It really nice and full of fun facts, like, tons of movie have been filmed there. No Country for Old Man, Easy Rider, Red Dawn. You'll be close to the World Treasures Traveler's Cafe. The best coffee and scones you'll every have. Going up Hot Spring Ave. toward the Montezuma, you'll come to the castle. It's the World College. This place has tons of history. Take the tour and see the prayer room and take a dip in the natural hot springs that are at the foot of the castle. Make sure you have water to drink or if it's a cold night some hot coco with a little something special in it. Wink Wink!

There are tons of fun things to do while in Las Vegas when the time gets closer I'll let you know what's going on. Just so you know this fun town celebrates almost everything. During the summer they have tons of fiestas. I'm sure there will be on going on while you're visiting.

Side note, if you miss it or if you can be here while the have the Rough RIder Rally check out the city museum. It's "rally" cool.

Great place to eat, besides the Traveler's Cafe, is Charlie Spec and Spin, wonderful tortillas. Plaza Burger, get tons of their curly fries. El Fidal Restaurant, very fancy. The one thing you do need to know is when the waiter/ess ask you "do you want red, green, or christmas" their asking what kind of chili you want with your meal. We always ask for our chili on the side otherwise they smother it all over the dish.

I hope that helps in getting you started on the planning part of your trip. I hope we will still be here and we can show you around all these wonderful places. If not, I know you'll enjoy it and have so much fun.

See you soon.

.........................

Enjoy!

Distributed Networks Productions!



Enjoy!