"Casual GIF Theory"

Been thinking about GIFs lately with all the recent articles (trying to get my thoughts in order before trying to express them). Seems to be happening to others as well. Namely, Tom Moody's discussion with John Michael Boling on the subtleties of the animated GIF, which has been missing in mainstream writing.

Is this the advent of GIF theory?

Dreaming About Real Life

I had a weird dream this morning about dump.

I was visiting home in Toronto and heard of a dump gathering in New York and decided to come along as it was (relatively) close by. The meet was not so much a social gathering but an internet cafe (or more like a school computer lab) full of dumpers dumping. You could get up and chat, or use a headset to join in live voice chat.

For some reason, I made myself a wig and beard (including uni-brow) out of pine needles. I took the brow and beard off pretty early on, though (it was very uncomfortable), and kept the wig.

I did end up chatting to a couple dumpers, mostly idle chit chat, nothing particularly interesting, and I can't remember what it was about. I finally took my "wig" off towards the end of the conversation — I showed it off, it was nice and soft, like a fleece cap.

There doesn't seem to be any point to it, but it was very vivid and the image of the pine face wig really stuck with me.

With all the recent IRL manifestations of dump — recent exhibitions, projects by other dumpers, and even a Secret Santa — participation (or lack thereof) has been at the forefront of my mind.

The internet allows for (a level of) anonymity and, with that, a lack of responsibility. Bringing it into real life takes away that security.

Could this dream just be an expression of my social-media-anxiety?

I thought I was being really clever, but then nobody faved it.

*edit* Sneaky Tripod place holders #imanoob

nom

Altar Definition Altar

Even better altar definition altar (Woah! Text altar!) by andrej which I faved ages ago on Dump and unfortunately fled my mind upon posting (thanks for the comment).

Also see Tom Moody's recent post which features this digital altar and also a physical altar (of altars) andrej made for the recent Dump IRL show in NYC.

Spiritual Internet: Dump Altars

Tom Moody, 2010

I think the above dump is the closest to a definition of what a dump altar is. Basically a triptych (or more-tych) which combines a central image propped up by peripheral pillars that will act to emphasise the central image as an object of worship (usually ironic) or will play with the central image to create a visual pun or joke (or at least, that's how I interpret it).

To give you an idea just how popular it is as a dump format, take a look at http://dump.fm/altars/ which is updated any time a combo is dumped that follows the format.

I haven't dumped many altars during my sporadic visits to the site, I tend to go for the single image posts or duos - http://dump.fm/lalblog/altars

(post written after a reminder brought to you by Tom Moody's recent interview about animated gifs and dump)

Spiritual Internet: Cathedral 3

Cathedral 3, Duncan Alexander (2010)

Short aside, finally saw Gerhart Richter's stained glass window in Cologne Cathedral. Happened to have a short change-over at Koln HBF and wanted to take a look. It was as awesome as I'd hoped.

Best Use of Mortal Kombat GIFs

Chariots of Mortal Kombat Fire (seecoy, 2007)



Nightwolf Beach Party Vacay (noisia, 2010)



Introducing Nightwolf Again (noisia, 2010)



Rockin' Back in MK3 (Scott Mathews, 2010)



Cyrax Falling (Jasper Elings, 2010)