Monday 22 January 2007








EDITOR'S WELCOME


Our talented and enthusiastic multimedia family is a close-knit group, and for most of our members the forum is "the place to be" on a daily basis. The range of artistic styles shared online includes all levels of expertise from beginner to professional, and it's where comments, critique, encouragement and inspiration are paramount. Members of the forum enjoy the creative freedom and camaraderie that has developed over time. It's a supportive place that inspires and applauds creativity as members look forward to the challenges and innovative experiments presented. For those wishing to improve their haiku and multimedia skills, the helpful C&C from fellow members is invaluable in learning how to create a well-balanced work while adding layers of meaning and depth to both haiku and image. The rewarding collaboration between members continues on a day to day basis as styles form and blend in exciting new ways.

Some of our workshop exercises have included sumi-e, traditional haiga, photo haiku and art-haiga, traditional and contemporary art media, integrated art forms, computer graphics and animation, followed of course by the wonderful discussions about our methods and magic. Our projects are designed to explore each artist's creative potential when the computer becomes the artistic tool and medium of communication. "Variations on the Theme of White" was an exercise in which we explored the pictorial use of white, an important part of the haiga aesthetic which allows viewers to enter into and find meaning in an image through its incompleteness. The "Haiga Renga" was a delightful exercise in graphic renga. Fifteen artists participated in a linked global collaboration
with each artist changing the image before passing it on. Great fun! In addition, we've introduced an informal category of exercise that we call '*Anything Goes!*' These are activities that may start up on the spur of the moment when a member finds something interesting and issues a challenge. Though impromptu, the art is still exceptional. Click on the link and you'll experience "Blob Art" haiga created from a scanned image of poured paint, an unusual "Camera Toss" exercise, "Astronomical Haiga" based on a photograph of the sun courtesy of NASA, "Da Eye", inspired by an unexpected flash at close range from a cell phone camera, and our "PUSH and PULL" haiga from a Public Broadcasting Service web page about Hans Hoffmann. The following links will take you to these challenging exercises where you'll find fascinating concepts and wonderful artistry.


Variations on the Theme of White


Haiga Renga 2006 Global Collaboration


*Anything Goes!*


WHChaikumultimedia welcomes new members, and encourages inactive or former members to return and join in...the more the merrier!


Carol Raisfeld
Editor, WHChaikumultimedia WHR
Director, WHChaikumultimedia Forum

*Click here to apply for membership in WHChaikumultimedia
at its YahooGroups mailing list homepage