( Column 20 / 2002)

          "A commentary about creative people living in the small communities scattered through the hills and valleys of Central New York"
          Published in The County Review

Technology, in this the 21st century, has given us many amazing resources. The one that I find most exciting is the ability to create a presentation on a Compact Disk and include images, sound, animations, music, and even video. Multi-Media, as this is called, is an impressive way to preserve, present, and easily distribute information. The CD can be mailed anywhere, and then viewed on a computer.
           In addition to using Multi-Media productions for promotions, marketing, and education, the format is perfect for documenting important personal events such as weddings, anniversaries, and family gatherings. In addition, I see it as a very useful tool for creative people.
          Being able to incorporate prior works with current information on to a CD makes this media particularly suitable for artists. A Multi-Media CD can offer you an impressive and easy way to present yourself, and your body of work. Clients can see you, hear you, and view your work, all the while be treated to an entertaining presentation.
          Artists and Craftworkers can create a portfolio viewable on any computer, in addition to providing a link to allow them to visit your website directly. A Multi-Media CD will exhibit your work, show your studio, and allow clients to meet the artist personally, through pictures, voice, Virtual Reality tours, and demonstrations,
          Performers, such as musicians, dancers, actors, performance artists, and on stage presenters can take advantage of Multi-Media productions to demonstrate your craft, display your credentials, and send Demos to suitable venues.
          Multi-Media itself can also be an art form. Combine all these elements, and the result is a collage. A collage containing images, sounds, music, animations, voices, special effects, video and music, can be created which tells a story, delivers a message, conveys emotions, or is just plain fun. There is endless potential for creative expression in this little explored field.
          To offer a taste of what can be done with Multi-Media, I am producing a demonstration CD containing what I call Multi-Media Melodramas, as well as presentations from Chenango County including a retrospective of work from the Chenango County Council of the Arts. There is a tour of Norwich, and panoramas of Local Communities, the Northeast Classic Car Museum, and Landscaped Gardens. Presentations of Art and Craftworkers, Galleries, Museums, and even a Music Video will be included. The release date is Tuesday April 1st, and anyone sending me an e-mail containing their Name and Address on that date will receive one. Anyone interested, e-mail me from www.lostvalleys.com ( Must be sent on April 1st, 2003 )
          [ Special Note: Would Pat, who e-mailed me about the Performance Art Festival mentioned in last month's column please contact me....My response to your e-mail bounced. ]