Ade Makes Videos
(The algorithm vs. artistic vision)
As I approach my 100th video on YouTube, I’ve been reflecting on what has worked and what hasn’t. It’s great that my Copland-isqatsi video is getting traction but it is so different from my other videos that I can’t help but be tempted to adjust my output to match “what’s working.” That’s a slippery slope, and I really don’t want to become a slave to the algorithm. So in an effort to stay true to myself, I have made a playlist that I believe represents my best work so far. Below I’ve ranked my top ten videos, not based on views, but based on what most closely represents my artistic vision. I hope you like it. Thank you for supporting my unpredictable creativity over the years. Stay creative.
Your friend,
Ade
#10: Broken Philip Glass
If you liked my Copland-isqatsi video, you might be a Philip Glass fan and you might appreciate my experimental tribute to Glass’s music. In this video I take a cassette tape of his “Glassworks” album, play it on a modified tape player and push the audio through a guitar pedal to create new sounds. On top of that, I have a tool that I call my “glitch organ” which allows me to do real-time video manipulation on top of a live video. If you like this one be sure to check out my “Glitch Organ” playlist, too.
#9: Infestation
This video accompanied my Kickstarter campaign. It shows me behind the scenes using a printmaking technique I invented that uses shipping labels, alcohol, and actual insects to create art. It starts with me creating prints directly from the bodies of a cicada, dragonfly, and butterfly and then shows me venturing outside my studio to “infest” the world with my art. If this one sparks curiosity, be sure to check out my “Printing with Insects” video which gives a deeper look into the actual process.
#8: Graffiti Animation: The Runner
I’ve actually made about ten of these, but the one I like the best features the animation of a runner. It begins with me riding my bike putting stickers on walls, signs, and dumpsters around town. The payoff comes at the end when I stitch the photos of all the graffiti together to reveal the hidden animation that they contain. If you like this one, be sure to dig deeper into my “Graffiti Animation” playlist.
#7: Drawings That Don't Exist
This one is maybe more personal than many of my other videos, it’s about the art of my sister, Heather. I’m biased, but I think she’s a great artist who you should know about.
#6: Printing on Old Receipts to Create Looping Animation
I love taking something common or worthless and using it in ways that it wasn’t intended for to create something new. Here I reprint images on top of old receipts to create an animation. I think the result is beautiful on its own, but it’s also fun to see all the work that goes into an animation that only lasts a few seconds.
#5: Shipping Label Art
Before I refined the insect printing technique I mentioned earlier, I was using flowers and hand sanitizer to create art on shipping labels. As a side note, I still have some of these prints that I haven’t sold, so reach out if you are interested in owning something like this in your art collection.
#4: How to Save Images to Cassette Tape
I don’t know what else to say other than I’ve fallen in love with the experimental possibilities of magnetic tape. I’ve got a whole playlist called “Ade Breaks Tapes” where I document my evolving experiments with sound and the possibilities of this nearly obsolete medium.
#3: Solargraph Secrets
Number three is called “Solargraph Secrets.” A solargraph is a photographic process that allows you take extremely long exposures. Think days, weeks, or even year long photos. The downside is that you can’t preserve the film, so you have to store the pictures in light proof containers. For this video I open my box of solargraphs and show you my collection of long exposures.
#2: Toothbrush-Powered Lego Carousel Flipbook Animation
This video shows a contraption I made out of Legos to create a spinning flip book. Powering the carousel is a repurposed electric toothbrush. As odd as that sounds, it’s a good representation of the kind of unexpected things you’ll get from me and why you should subscribe to my channel.
#1: A Camera Made of Coffee Stirrers
My #1 video recommendation is a look inside the camera I made out of 23,248 coffee stirrers. This camera was featured in Rasperry Pi Magazine and it is one of the projects I am most proud of because the images it produces are unlike anything you’ve seen before.
Thanks for reading. I guess I am obliged to end this letter with a request to like and subscribe to my channel. Everybody says it, but it really does make a difference and it is the best way to shape the algorithm to appreciate the authentic creators. Thanks again.