About Blogology

Blogology is a glimpse into the work being done at Imaginology. Follow in the pursuit of its mission to improve the human condition with imagination technology. Articles in this blog are contributed by Imaginology staff, leaders in the imagination technology industry, and collaborators working on projects with Imaginology.

Sunday, December 20, 2020

Art Workshop Tutorial/Instructional - DIY Mirrored Glass Resurfacing and Painting at Imaginology

 A brief art workshop tutorial on how to remove the paint and backing material from mirrors so you can custom paint or re-purpose the glass for your needs.

 
 
Host:  

Nathaniel Jack Greene, Chief Imaginologist 

MA Digital Culture 

BA Digital Animation Production 

AA Multimedia 

Materials: 

- Mirror 

- Paint Stripper 

- Bleach or Paint Thinner (for cleaning and extending the stripper) 

- Towels - Wire brush 

- Masking tape 

- Glass surface or cutting mat to protect your table 

More info at https://imaginology.com

Facebook https://facebook.com/ogimaginology

Instagram https://instagram.com/imaginology

TikTok https://tiktok.com/@imaginology

 #mirroretching #doityourself #artworkshop #imaginology #doshowtell #artcurriculum #artworkshops #healingarts #glass #painting #paintedglass #etching #stripping #streaming #artworkshopsathome #doityourself #meditativeart #mindfulness

Friday, December 11, 2020

PREMIERE - The Afterlife Experience with Bony Tony, Holiday Special 2020

It is with great pleasure and excitement that Imaginology announces "The Afterlife Experience with Bony Tony, Holiday Special, 2020 Video Premiere, scheduled for Saturday, December 26, 2020. Streaming live on Facebook at https://fb.me/e/Zvtzsidb.
 
Please join us as for a very special evening as Bony Tony hosts the first annual, Afterlife Experience with Bony Tony Holiday Special. A live, interactive animated showcase of artists and talent. Featuring all your favorite, original characters, stories and locations in the worst parts of Phoenix and of course hosted by the dead guy voted to look least like Santa... @ogbonytony Bony Tony!
 
Featuring special guest artists, puppets, cartoons, performers, puppets, prizes and so much more. Live, from Imaginology studio.
 

What else do you have to do Christmas weekend!? It's not like you can go out dancing, you Bonehead! Get with the program and join everyone's favorite dead guy for freaky fun, laughs and quarantine hygiene lessons.
 
*masks not required to view video program on Facebook.
 
Yer killin' me! Yer killin me!!
 
 
The Afterlife Experience is an original concept as part of “Puppetry with Purpose” at Imaginology studio. Designed to facilitate grief processing and healing through use of character and performance art.

Friday, October 9, 2020

The Afterlife Experience

Phoenix artists present interactive installations and performances in honor of the dead 


Local Phoenix artists and creatives have come together to produce an interactive art experience that celebrates, explores, and honors the ideas of death, grief, and remembrance. The Afterlife Experience premieres to the public on Halloween night, Saturday, October 31, 2020 at the Grand Arthaus in the Grand Avenue Historic Arts District of downtown Phoenix. A collaborative project, local Phoenix artists have created an interactive art experience that will guide visitors through levels of the Afterlife where they’ll virtually interact with a variety of installations. An experiential journey of art, acknowledgment, and acceptance, the Afterlife invites guests to move between the threshold of celebration and ceremony, between laughter and reflection.  

The artists of the Afterlife Experience have created a transformational one-night only live, interactive, and live steamed Halloween event that will span the spectrum of expectations. From taking a picture with a skeleton puppet to exploring sensory stimulation, confronting death, immersing yourself into a room of virtual emotions, or participating in a healing ceremony. 

Produced by Imaginology Founder and Chief Imaginologist, Nathaniel Jack Greene, the experience is an evolution of the Afterlife with Bony Tony, a puppet character who has been hosting Halloween shows in the valley for decades. 
“The year has been strenuous on humanity to say the least. The demand for the program seems oriented to a feeling of being grateful, celebrating those we lost this year, and healing through suffering we have experienced throughout 2020. Bony Tony will still greet guests as the host of the Afterlife, but the program intention has evolved to greater purpose.” - Nathaniel Jack Greene
Visitors to the Afterlife Experience will also BECOME a part of the show, as each installation or level of the Afterlife, is live stream broadcasted on social media. This creates an alternative “quarantined” Afterlife experience for those watching from home. 

Mark your calendars for this one-night only, Halloween engagement, produced by the artists, architects, musicians, and creatives of Phoenix. Additional information, RSVP, and link to purchase tickets can be found on the event Facebook event page: https://bit.ly/AfterlifeExperience 

This is a limited capacity event. To ensure entrance into The Afterlife Experience, advanced tickets can be purchased online. Limited availability at the door. The Afterlife Experience was made possible by the generous support of Imaginology, Grand Arthaus, Road Dog Show Pros, and McShred Prints.

EVENT DETAILS: 
WHEN: Saturday, October 31, 2020 from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. 
WHERE: Grand Arthaus, 1501 Grand Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85007 
COST: Donation of $20 - Funds raised go to benefit local artists 
SAFETY: Safe distancing precautions will be in place for the Afterlife Experience. Adhering to state health and safety recommendations, capacity will be limited, staggered entry, interactive areas are 6 feet apart, separate entry and exit points, hand sanitizer stations, temperature checks at the entrance, and masks will be required for entry. 

Friday, October 2, 2020

Mask Alive Rewind

In September, I had the terrific opportunity to work as a production assistant with Imaginology, to produce Mask Alive. This is the third annual Festival of Masks, originally an in-person event, now transitioned into the virtual festival world. This festival is rapidly evolving, while still keeping the family fun.

The Mask Alive event was live-streamed simultaneously on YouTube and Facebook on September 13, 2020. This fantastic event, full of culture and energy, can still be enjoyed on Cultural Coalition’s social media platforms. The festival showcased the beauty and artisanship involved in producing these unique masks, while highlighting the artist’s expressions through dance and music. 

Imaginology took great care, collaborating with Culture Coalition, to ensure this cultural festival had the ability to highlight the performers in away in which they could tell their story through video, and audio, while allowing emotion and creativity to emerge. 

During the journey to create a family-friendly virtual event, filled with culture and life, Imaginology produced all of the introduction performances with artist Zarco Guerrero, Board President of Cultural Coalition, Inc. I would like to note that the collaboration with Zarco was not only fruitful in the countless light-hearted characters he brought to life, but it was enjoyable to see an imperative part of Cultural Coalition engage with the audience. The positive feedback from the audience, and their love for these playful characters, was all thanks to Zarco. This was a wonderful collaboration.


While in the midst of production, watching the stream go live, I reflected on the fact that, this event being virtual, has the potential to reach people around the world. While, of course, I look forward to once more enjoying the beauty of the commotion of in-person events, inhaling the smell of cooking foods, or taking in the sheer beauty of the dancer’s costumes while they perform, I also see the beauty in this event appearing in the digital world. 


This new form can allow families to spend time together at home while learning and absorbing the love shared around this culture and artwork. Through this event, I love the idea that people who are not local, and who may not have had the opportunity to see this cultural exchange live, can now revisit and enjoy the festival when they have a moment of peace. 

On a personal level, I would like to take a moment to touch on how much love and passion is evident within the hearts of these performers. I enjoyed the clear level of pride that could be felt through the masks. I applaud the energy and dedication infused in this project and look forward to other exciting projects birthed by this collaboration in the future. 

 - Christy Caldwell, Imaginology Intern

Friday, September 25, 2020

Juxtaposition


Summer, AD two thousand and twenty years. Phoenix. Maricopa County. Arizona. The United States of America. Earth. 

Bothered and cautious is the feeling of the Chief Imaginologist.  

Global human condition = unhealthy. 

Cautiously optimistic and eternally grateful for the love shared and interest in Imaginology studio. 

A space dedicated to the development of our mission: to improve the human condition.

After 25 years of trial, triumph, failure, sacrifice, bloody, sweat, and a few too many tears, Imaginology has a new future. Beyond prior space limitations and constraints. A home for our continued creative development and community collaboration. 

Bring the future on. Humans are preparing for a new condition. One of health, prosperity, and natural order with justice. 


2020 has presented a too complex dichotomy of states, however. Polar opposition. Extremes. A moment in humanity never before observed or experienced by so many.

Juxtaposition is defined as two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect. 

As an animator, I am seeking the spectrum of energy that often is expressed in a given moment. Juxtaposition can be a beautiful aesthetic when opposing natures combine and become harmonious.



Opening a studio during social distancing, quarantines, stay at home orders, and limited interactions with humans; Juxtaposed by the desire for human connectivity, touch, time, and shared expression. Demanding virtual chats, video conferences, and assistance across the digital "Threshold". 

Being out of work, juxtaposed with so much work to do. 


Installing Phoenix, Arizona's first live, animation studio for performance and human expression through characterized form; Juxtaposed by the dissonance and fears for health and safety in a global pandemic, socio-economic climate. 

The tragedy of this global virus affects humanity; Juxtaposed by the will to improve the human condition. To assist others with telling their story. Sharing this moment in time. This cultural paradigm shift. The clash of positives and negatives. The inability to define all contexts into a black or white box. 

Unrest in many forms. Social. Political. Psychological. 

This unnerving inability to see a middle way; Juxtaposed by the opportunity to acknowledge the unpredictability of now. 

Fear of disease, government, foreigners, and your neighbors; Juxtaposed by the courage to cooperate and engage in the local community of action.

Independence, juxtaposed by lockdowns.

Dualism suggests that every negative consequence or action has an equal and opposite reaction, just as Newton's third law of physics proves.

Humans suffer; therefore, we must thrive.

In difficulty, we must triumph.

With destruction comes creation.

                                                                         - Nathaniel Jack Greene - Chief Imaginologist 

Friday, September 18, 2020

The Future is Unwritten

As Chief Imaginologist, I have kept a calendar reminder for me every Friday at noon to read, “The future is unwritten.” A wise mentor of mine suggested a weekly reminder to acknowledge that every moment is an opportunity to do something better than before. It is helpful to acknowledge the work you will do in the week to come while giving you a breath to acknowledge the work you have accomplished thus far. 


What a year at Imaginology. 2020. Who would have thought? I mean, we were promised jetpacks or hoverboards or some other brand name that no longer applies to only our hopes and desires for a more space-age future. I suppose you could perceive filtration masks, personal health protective equipment, healthcare precautions, and travel restrictions a perfect sign of what was to come.

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However, an Imaginologist prefers to engage in healthy, constructive criticism, not cynicism, and remains focused on the potentials awaiting to be discovered and/or rediscovered. The darkest hour is always just before dawn.

Spending 25 years struggling to migrate traditional, analog businesses, non-profits, and individuals to digital culture technologies. Juxtaposed by the overwhelming demand for experience and expertise in managing a media production pipeline business.

With such a busy year, I have had so many matters on my mind. This is a blog post to acknowledge the progress and prepare myself for what is to come. I am writing with great fervor and will continue to edit and reiterate. 

Grief processing. The pain humanity has felt this year as a global whole, has been palpable. Americans were, and still are, destined to be of another nature. One of independence. One of health and prosperity with balanced and accountable governance representative of the will of the people. All people. 

With so much of the world in pause, Imaginology has been juxtaposed by great, rapid action and growth. Expanding our operations, growing a team of globally focused and locally active Imaginologists. With the recent launch of our Apprenticeship Program, we are well positioned for a positive impact in our local and global community. 


As Imaginology opened its first studio location on Historic Grand Avenue this year, there wasn’t a living spirit to be found. Dark, silent, and alone, Imaginology opened. The deafening silence of the streets of Grand Avenue. Pre-pandemic was always a hub of central Phoenician’s low-rider, bass rumbling, cruiser culture, blending with hot-rod hotheads dragging the asphalt between hipster hops of brews, tunes and art views. Now, not a living soul. Months passed. More people died. We stayed safe. We stayed in. We stayed healthy. We worked our asses off.

No moment of silence is long enough for this moment of grief. As if humans haven’t suffered enough throughout time? 

Imaginology feels this. How do you claim to improve the human condition as a company mission, when so much of the world is sick and dying? How does anyone claim to be capable of improving the human condition in this mess? 

Mindset. You endure, focused on solutions. Cross-pollinating ideas with other specialties. Synthesizing new ideas by combing the old. Juxtaposing ideas or specialties. Sometimes discovering a harmonious blend of ideas and language or sometimes finding polar opposition and incompatibilities. This is sometimes how innovative ideas are formed. Problems are solved. Sometimes it is simply an exercise. However, exercise prepares for the inevitable. Exercise conditions for the trials ahead.

Imaginology anticipates another 1010 years of improving the human condition. More on that, yet to come.


- Nathaniel Jack Greene - Chief Imaginologist 

Friday, September 4, 2020

Introducing Imaginology Intern: Andrea Stoica

Imaginology has taken on three new interns in the Digital Culture program from the ASU School of Arts, Media, and Engineering; Christy Caldwell, Ivan Mendoza, and Andrea Stoica. With tutelage from Artist, Animator, Producer Nathaniel Jack Greene, Fabrication Artist Ryan Gallagher, and Public Relations and Marketing Imaginologist Renee Aguilar we look forward to fantastic projects to come. Keep an eye out on this space over the next few weeks as we will have a series of posts, to better get to know our interns and the projects they take on at Imaginology. 


Hi! My name is Andrea Stoica, and I am a senior at ASU, majoring in Communication with a minor in Digital Culture. I transferred to ASU from Mesa Community College, after completing my first two years of college. Since coming to ASU in the fall of 2019, I’ve been enjoying every aspect of the Digital Culture program. Back in the olden days of the spring 2020 semester, the media lounge would be full of people on their laptops, bringing ideas to life and discussing new discoveries in their work. It was a great environment to work around, in my first few semesters of Digital Culture and trying to get the hang of learning code.


To me, digital culture is about discovery and play and finding new ways to share ideas with people. For the past few years, I’ve been a music photographer. I have always enjoyed going to concerts and experiencing the magic of live music while trying to capture it with my lens. However, since shows are no longer part of the “new normal” that we are all adjusting to, I’ve had to think about other ways that I can participate in art and music. 


 My photo of Doll Skin of Phoenix, AZ performing at the Van Buren Jan 22, 2020. 

“Improving the human condition” for me is going to be sharing information and resources with others while being receptive to the new experiences currently being shared online. The shift that is ongoing in our norms today made me realize how important it is to be receptive to other people’s stories. There is a need to focus on what each of us as individuals can do to make some kind of impact. I want to contribute what I can to strengthen our communities, whether that’s through mutual aid, or volunteering my time. 

It has been great working with Imaginology in ways that are new to me. I’m excited to be able to work on video production and be able to see how the flow of creative works in a studio. More than anything, Digital Culture feels like it is about connecting with others to bring forward some sort of vision, and I’m excited to be a part of that. I think, especially now, more and more people are looking to video as a means of sharing and being connected to the world. I can’t wait to learn more about how to make help people stay connected in this new time. 

Friday, August 28, 2020

Introducing Imaginology Intern: Ivan Mendoza

Imaginology has taken on three new interns in the Digital Culture program from the ASU School of Arts, Media, and Engineering; Christy Caldwell, Ivan Mendoza, and Andrea Stoica. With tutelage from Artist, Animator, Producer Nathaniel Jack Greene, Fabrication Artist Ryan Gallagher, and Public Relations and Marketing Imaginologist Renee Aguilar, we look forward to fantastic projects to come. Keep an eye out on this space over the next few weeks as we will have a series of posts, to better get to know our interns and the projects they take on at Imaginology. 


Hi! My name is Ivan Mendoza. I am at Arizona State University majoring in Digital Culture. I have had a passion for the arts ever since I was young, creating sculptures and drawing in my room. I am very excited to meld my creative art expression with technology, as I know it is the future. My goal is to improve my programming abilities while honing in my artistic style.


I am looking forward to working on projects with Imaginology, including creating a 3D rendering of their puppet character known as Bony Tony, while also creating physical sets, as I believe it will further my knowledge of interactive art installations and sculptures. Throughout my time interning at Imaginology, I would like to explore how to streamline and automate the production side of streaming and video switching. 

I had an immediate love for Digital Culture when I discovered it. Digital Culture allows me the space to be creative and the ability to share my passion for art. As a major, this program is supportive and provides an environment for creativity to flourish while promoting growth in technical aspects. With the support of this program, I was able to indulge in my crazy ideas. For example, this Box of Tongues is an interactive sculpture that I created, has a flex sensor, a gyroscope, a magnetometer, and an accelerometer. I truly appreciate the help from this program that made my vision come to life. 


In my desire to improve the human condition, I choose to bring smiles to people's faces with my interactive art. Creating connections for people with interactive art, knowing their movement helps to create a beautiful and meaningful experience. I also think it is important to use video documentation during this process, as understanding how the viewer interacts with the artwork is just as important as the artwork itself. 

Working with the Imaginology team has already expanded my understanding of digital culture, and I am eager to see the end results of this partnership.

Friday, August 14, 2020

Introducing Imaginology Intern: Christy Caldwell

Imaginology has taken on three new interns in the Digital Culture program from the ASU School of Arts, Media, and Engineering; Christy Caldwell, Ivan Mendoza, and Andrea Stoica. With tutelage from Artist, Animator, Producer Nathaniel Jack Greene, Fabrication Artist Ryan Gallagher, and Public Relations and Marketing Imaginologist Renee Aguilar, we look forward to fantastic projects to come. Keep an eye out on this space over the next few weeks as we will have a series of posts, to better get to know our interns and the projects they take on at Imaginology. 


Hello! My name is Christy Caldwell and I am currently a senior at Arizona State University majoring in Digital Culture with an emphasis in English. I love animals and find joy in the little things like having time to cook a home-cooked meal with friends. Digital culture to me is a beautiful and chaotic beast that is forever evolving. 



Digital culture has the heart of people while having the edge of technologies to back it up. I love that there is a message to be found behind any creative outlet within the world of digital culture if one looks hard enough for it. While interning with Imaginology, I am excited to use a collaboration of words and images to create a time capsule in the form of Blogology. This project is thrilling to me as it melds the culture behind a company with the technology of the internet to create a fun digital culture-infused project while preserving important moments of growth for the world to see. 

I am also intrigued to try and face the challenge that is to improve the human condition. Improving the human condition can seem daunting, especially with the world where it is today. I choose to take this task on a little at a time. I hope to make something each day that someone will enjoy and puts a smile on their face, even for a second. I choose to do this by putting love into every project I work on. A little love for another person can vastly help to improve the human condition. 

Working with the Imaginology team is a fantastic opportunity, with great potential for my personal and professional growth. I look forward to all that I will learn and accomplish in the future. 

Friday, July 24, 2020

Imaginology Opens Studio: Ready to Collaborate

Live Animation and Video Production Studio
in the Grand Avenue Arts District



The Imaginology studio is the newest creative resource in the Grand Avenue Arts District offering live animation and video streaming production services. A collaborative venture between Artist, Animator, Producer Nathaniel Jack Greene and Fabrication Artist Ryan Gallagher, the studio aims to provide a creative space to produce anything the imagination can dream up. From character design, creature creation, set design, and puppetry to producing a web series, creating commercials, or turning yourself into an animated character that can perform in real-time, these Imaginologists will make it happen.

Located inside the Grand ArtHaus on the corner of Grand Avenue and Roosevelt Road, the fully equipped studio opened its doors in June 2020 assisting with the video production of a live streaming event organized by Cultural Coalition, Inc, a local arts and culture non-profit organization. 

According to Greene, “Working with Cultural Coalition was an honor for Imaginology. The studio offered solutions to provide additional capabilities, enabling pre-recorded video playback and custom graphic switching during the event. We helped remove technical concerns so the staff could focus on content, donations, and bringing attention to Cultural Coalition’s mission of education, promotion and development of Indigenous artists in Arizona.”
The Summer Solstice Celebration Facebook Live 2-hour program reached over 9,000 views and streamed to homes in over 15 different countries and included performances from a collection of artists known in the Valley, and internationally including Ken Koshio, Zarco Guerrero, and Tony Duncan. 
Gallagher and Greene are clear, "Community collaboration is an integral part of Imaginology."  Gallagher continues, "Working on projects with organizations like Cultural Coalition, supporting the diverse artists and businesses of the Valley, reinforces our commitment to provide a variety of opportunities to our community. Whether it's artist talks, design workshops, video production, or a space to build a creation, the Imaginology studio is a resource for everyone." 
Gallagher and Greene are excited to continue collaborative projects with artists, businesses, and non-profits throughout the Valley. Visit www.imaginology.com or call (602) 510-3563 to find a full catalog of services provided by Imaginology.


The Imaginology studio is located on the northwest corner of Roosevelt Street and Grand Avenue at 1501 Northwest Grand Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85007 inside the Grand ArtHaus. Book a FREE phone or video chat consultation today to discover how Imaginology can add value to your next project.

Thursday, April 9, 2020

World Premiere of The Afterlife with Bony Tony - Viral Edition 2020!


"Imagination is the ultimate technology" 
Nathaniel Jack Greene
Founder, Imaginology
Imaginology has been gaining traction despite the economic and public health concerns this quarter. We are celebrating 25 years (in 2021) as an independent, Imagination Technology, LLC and have transitioned to a partnership, corporation this year. Our partners are committed to creating top notch, original solutions and we have dozens of advanced projects in development.


The Afterlife with Bony Tony - Viral Edition 2020

The ENTERTAINMENT program gaining the most traction at the moment is the original program "The Afterlife with Bony Tony".



The original concept was written in 2010, and a 22 minute pilot episode was created in 2012 and has been on the shelf since. We believe the program to have been too advanced for the "times" as it deals with the topic of death, straight on. However, the character Bony Tony appeals to halloween audiences and is also very popular during difficult social times. The recent pandemic has brought Bony Tony back to the screen and the internet again as audiences demand direct, comedic relief from their most deepest psyches.


As a result, we have released a short (TRT 7:26) Viral Edition 2020 of the Afterlife with Bony Tony to the public on Youtube and Facebook to great applause. Bony Tony has been making public appearances and interacting LIVE with his growing audience and "friends" on http://facebook.com/theafterlifewithbonytony. Bony has nearly 1,000 friends now and we are working on increasing his social media audience even more. 


We are currently seeking distribution opportunities and channels to deliver our content to broader audiences. We are now in production of more episodes and additional programming. We appreciate your input and feedback @ogbonytony.




Title: The Afterlife with Bony Tony - Viral Edition 2020
Copyright: © 2020 Imaginology, Inc. all rights reserved
TRT: 7:26