Why Muppets

I feel it would be worthwhile to take a bit of time to explain why the seemingly strange choice of the muppets was used as the video.

The straightforward, obvious reason lies in the fact that they're catchy images that draw in the viewer and allow them to focus on the change in the screen and the audio without getting bored too quickly. Beyond that, they have the immmediate humorous appeal-first impressions are important, and if I'm appropriating something, I fully intend on appropriating only the best.

More than that, however, lies in the muppet videos themselves. One was a musical performance that was experimental in it's approach to humor, which consisted entirely of the movement of the camera and the characters. In an all too obvious way, that's exactly what our project was setting out to accomplish. The parellel compares such things as technology of now and then, song choices used appropriately for respective mediums, the way in which an image changes depending on the context, etc. The other image, a chef, too has to do with creation-for him a meal, for us the installation. It was important that the two videos dealt with each other, as comparing the two became an added factor. Why multiply the image of the dancers in one way, and the cook another? In what way do they tie in with the world of technology? Does humor have a place in art?

In the end, I liked the reaction I saw people had upon initially seeing the screens and how the immediate reaction changed from direct humor to more thoght as they continued viewing, so I feel my goal with the muppets was accomplished.