Pop Culture Through The Lens Of Nostalgia: The Evolution Of 8-Bit Art

Beginning with early Atari and Nintendo video games, the 8-bit aesthetic has been a part of our culture for over 30 years. As it moved through the generations, 8-bit earned its independence from its video game roots.

Is it really nostalgia if the creators of the 8-bit work didn’t originally experience what we are supposed to be feeling nostalgic about? That’s what comes to mind as I watch PBS Off Book latest episode: The Evolution of 8-Bit Art. 

Beginning with early Atari and Nintendo video games, the 8-bit aesthetic has been a part of our culture for over 30 years. As it moved through the generations, 8-bit earned its independence from its video game roots. The idea of 8-bit now stands for a refreshing level of simplicity and minimalism, is capable of sonic and visual beauty, and points to the layer of technology that suffuses our modern lives. No longer just nostalgia art, contemporary 8-bit artists and chiptunes musicians have elevated the form to new levels of creativity and cultural reflection.

For complete credits visit (and subscribe to) the PBS Off Book YouTube channel. 

Previously:

The Culture Of Reddit
The Vast World Of Lego Art
Three Points Of View On Fandom, Fan Fiction & Fan Art
The Art of Film & TV Title Design: PBS Off Book

Tattoos: Pop Portraits, Japanese Traditional, American Eclectic
Art In The Era Of The Internet: The Impact Of Kickstarter, Creative Commons & Creators Project
Animated GIFs: The Birth of a Medium
Off Book Series One: The Complete Series

Moment Factory: The Making Of A Super Bowl Halftime Show

While the Giants’ surprise victory over the Patriots made for an exciting Super Bowl XLVI at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, Madonna’s half-time show – a spectacle within a spectacle – also provided a thrill for U.S. television viewers, drawing an estimated 114 million faithful, edging out the record-setting 111.3 million NFL fans who tuned into the game alone, not including the nearly 70,000 attendees in the stadium itself. For Moment Factory, the challenge was considerable: Create an enhanced, immersive visual environment around Madonna throughout a 12-minute, five-song performance. With unique concepts designed to evoke the emotions of each individual song, the game-plan was not only to enthrall those in attendance, but also convey the same live energy and excitement for the many millions participating in the televised experience. With the collaboration of Cirque du Soleil’s Michel Laprise and Jean-François Bouchard, set designer Bruce Rodgers, Madonna creative director Jamie King, lighting designer Al Gurdon, TV director Hamish Hamilton and the NFL, Moment Factory made the grid-iron appear to come alive. --- Le spectacle de Madonna présenté pendant la mi-temps du XVLI Super Bowl, le 5 février 2012, a été perçu comme une des meilleures performances artistiques de l’histoire de l’événement. Moment Factory est fière d'avoir contribué au succès international de cette explosion musicale de 12 minutes en imaginant et en réalisant l'ensemble du contenu de projection. 114 millions de téléspectateurs et 70 000 amateurs réunis au Lucas Oil Stadium d’Indianapolis ont ainsi pu apprécier la création d’un des plus grands environnements multimédias immersifs jamais produit pour un spectacle. L'événement a été conçu et réalisé avec le concours de Michel Laprise et de Jean-François Bouchard du Cirque du Soleil, du metteur en scène Bruce Rodgers, du directeur de création de Madonna, Jamie King, du designer d'éclairage Al Gurdon, du réalisateur de télévision Hamish Hamilton, ainsi que de la NFL. www.momentfactory.com

The Super Bowl is were great advertising campaigns are launched, networks recoup the money they’ve lost during the year becuase of diminishing audiences and massive halftime spectacles are presented. Here is a rare and in-depth behind the scenes at this year’s Super Bowl halftime show, which was seen by more people than the game itself. 

For Moment Factory, the challenge was considerable: Create an enhanced, immersive visual environment around Madonna throughout a 12-minute, five-song performance. With unique concepts designed to evoke the emotions of each individual song, the game-plan was not only to enthrall those in attendance, but also convey the same live energy and excitement for the many millions participating in the televised experience. With the collaboration of Cirque du Soleil’s Michel Laprise and Jean-François Bouchard, set designer Bruce Rodgers, Madonna creative director Jamie King, lighting designer Al Gurdon, TV director Hamish Hamilton and the NFL, Moment Factory made the grid-iron appear to come alive.

The Vast World Of Lego Art

LEGO blocks are one of the most beloved toys in the world, playing a role in many a person's childhood. But for some creators, LEGO has evolved from toy to art form. In this episode, we talk to three LEGO artists who have made beautiful mosaics, amazing stop-motion videos, thoughtful sculptures, and have turned these tiny building blocks into a true artistic medium.

I love LEGO, the games, the fantastic advertising campaigns, and of course all the various kits. Enough LEGO pieces have been created to total about 62 for every person on earth. And some of those pieces are being used to create art. 

LEGO blocks are one of the most beloved toys in the world, playing a role in many a person’s childhood. But for some creators, LEGO has evolved from toy to art form. In this episode, PBS’ Off Book talks to three LEGO artists who have made beautiful mosaics, amazing stop-motion videos, thoughtful sculptures, and have turned these tiny building blocks into a true artistic medium.

Featuring: 

Sean Kenney
Alex Kobbs
Nathan Sawaya

Previously:

Three Points Of View On Fandom, Fan Fiction & Fan Art
The Art of Film & TV Title Design: PBS Off Book

Tattoos: Pop Portraits, Japanese Traditional, American Eclectic
Art In The Era Of The Internet: The Impact Of Kickstarter, Creative Commons & Creators Project
Animated GIFs: The Birth of a Medium
Off Book Series One: The Complete Series

PBS Idea Channel: Are Hologram Tupac and Hologram Freddie Mercury Nostalgia or New Aesthetic?

Everyone has already heard about the Tupac Hologram that played at Coachella earlier this year. But with Queen's recent announcement of a Hologram Freddie Mercury and TLC's plans for a Hologram Lisa Left Eye Lopes, it looks Hologram pop stars are here to stay.

Everyone has already heard about the Tupac Hologram that played at Coachella earlier this year. But with Queen’s recent announcement of a Hologram Freddie Mercury and TLC’s plans for a Hologram Lisa Left Eye Lopes, it looks Hologram pop stars are here to stay. At first glance it might seem like this is just more of the same old nostalgia, but the Idea Channel thinks these Holo-Popstars represent something much bigger and entirely new. They are the heralds of New Aesthetic, a hotly debated new art movement dedicated to the blending of art and technology.

Hosted by Mike Rugnetta
Made by Kornhaber Brown 

Previously on the Idea Channel:

Superflat Epic Minimalism And Hello Kitty
Is Instagram The Best Thing To Ever Happen To Photography?
Is “Texts From Hillary” Art?
Authenticity In Pop Music: Computer Generated Miku Hatsune vs. Marketing Generated Lana Del Rey
Super Mario Brothers Is The World’s Greatest Piece Of Surrealist Art

Audio Branding: Company Logos Expand Into The Sonic Realm

I love exploring the fine thresholds between noise, sounds and music. I’ve shared The Effects of Sound, There’s Music In Every Sound and Disney’s Imagineers On Sound Design. Today we take a look, or rather listen to, a Marketplace segment on audio branding and how it is moving beyond television and electronics and into banks, appliances and other every day experiences as companies seek to build consumer allegiance through sound.