Community Weblog - [ Arts - Crafts ]

- Oliver Luker  [ 10/2/2006 - 11:17 ]   #

In old English law, eminent domain refers to the power of the state to take private property without the owner’s consent. Since the mid-19th century it has been employed as part of large-scale development projects and urban renewal – controversial practices that can be extremely destructive for local communities. The policy is often implemented when there is a perceived obstruction blocking the progress of a particular project and powers of override must force its conclusion.

In investigating this theme we call for artists to recast the concept of eminent domain in the context of creative work. Here it becomes similar to recourse – in the face of blockade, alternative and often radical tactics may be resorted to in order for an idea to move forward. At a point of critical mass existing systems begin to fail, invoking a form of negation and opening up a space of uncertainty. This uncertainty may force a radical reformulation of a work at a crucial moment of its incompletion and potential.

The concept of regeneration is helpful in investigating this theme with regard to process revision and its relation to the creative method. Literally beginning again, regeneration suggests a recursive, self-referential procedure. It also indicates different approaches to revision: on one hand there can be subtle, incremental modifications of existing structures, systematically inching toward a result. On the other there can be a Kuhnian paradigm shift – a more radical action that can demand a clean slate from which to begin from scratch.

The interplay of these strategies and the conditions that formulate them are fascinating areas of exploration. To what extent are points of resistance and conflict essential for shaping creative decisions? Are great ideas born of frustration or along paths of least resistance? What kind of space does this recourse open up?

In this context, the theme of eminent domain speaks not only to literal interpretations concerning revised landscapes, power relationships and innovation from decay, but also to a broader theoretical reading about the space opened up by an enforced change of approach. The use of these concepts, either as the subject of investigation or as a guide to process and methodology, will result in a fascinatingly diverse group of projects for the next edition of Dispatx.

For more information on how to submit, please click here.

Dates :

Final date for sending project proposals : 16 December 2006

Publication of collaborative project proposals : 15 January 2007

Details :

Dispatx (www.dispatx.com) provides the tools of a socialised internet for the development, organisation and presentation of contemporary art and literature.

- Ben Gaydos  [ 8/11/2006 - 18:22 ]   #

- Ben Gaydos  [ 3/7/2006 - 22:40 ]   #

means "excuse me" in Finnish. They came to my school. I think they're neat.
designs happenings, publications, products, clothes, buildings and cities.
is 14 people in Kallo, Helsinki. VISIT M41LH2 AND COM-PA-NY TO SEE MORE ANTEEKSI.

"They are inspired by everyday life. Their design makes use of existing methods, but does not follow conventions or serve traditional purposes. Although the designs are unorthodox, they are functional. A subtle hint that suggests the intended use of the product is always present.  strive to discover new ways to approach all issues. In their designs the potential user comes first, the client second."

I like their jacket for lonely people.

- Peter Richards  [ 11/21/2005 - 13:33 ]   #

Harrison Haynes is an accomplished painter, exhibiting mainly as a watercolorist.

Seth Jabour's illustrations have graced everything from magazine ads to Volkswagen manuals.

Syd Butler runs the successful FrenchKiss record label (featuring such homegrown Detroit-area talent as Thunderbirds Are Now!).  The label is hosting a design competition for their new T-shirt.

Anna and Tim Harrington have started an original textile company, Deadly Squire.

So who are these people?  And how are they connected?  What is their collective activity?

- Julia Yezbick  [ 11/9/2005 - 00:45 ]   #

So here's what other art collectives are doing! check out this article that came my way via Nayiri, from the New York Times (Nov. 6, 2005)


Gelatin, a Viennese art collective, comprised of Ali Janka, Florian Reither, Tobias Urban and Wolfgang Gantner have created a 200 ft long and 20 ft high stuffed pink bunny that is laying atop a hill in the northern region of Italy. 

"It's rotting away and the intestines are running out of its side, but it's really sweet," Mr. Janka said.  It's especially nice if you're interested in the way things rot: grass has sprouted through the rabbit's knitted skin, it's beginning to ooze a brown liquid, and animals have foraged inside. Decay, it seems, is the whole point. "You climb upon the rabbit and feel like a maggot in its flesh," Mr. Janka said. "And then you are so happily transforming into a fly, and floating away."

Any ideas, anyone?

- Julia Yezbick  [ 9/9/2005 - 00:24 ]   #

FLAK is hosting a second viewing of "Detroit @ 00:00:55" at the Detrot Film Center.  55 films 55 seconds long about Detroit created by artists, architects, videographers and students.

Come out Saturday night, September 10th, to the DFC.  Doors are at 7pm, film starts at 8pm.
DFC is located at 1227 Washington Blvd. (two blocks W. of Woodward, one block S. of Grand River)

From your friends at [FLAK]

Look out for "Detroit @ 00:00:55 This Time It's Personal"  winter '06.  Call for entries out soon.

 

   

- Peter Richards  [ 7/31/2005 - 23:30 ]   #

I received this from Krys Tourtois:

Call for Artists

- Ben Gaydos  [ 11/23/2004 - 14:18 ]   #

 
Outside Circle Collective
Collaboration .2
Call For Entries

- Nick Gaydos  [ 11/10/2004 - 13:45 ]   #

Megan Reardon of Organized Knitter crafted this knitted wig/hat to get rid of neon yarn.

And although you won't be able to buy one, you can make one yourself. Megan posted detailed instructions on knitty.com.

Josh Rubin says it reminds both of Anime and "Lego Land citizen wear".

A little late for Halloween, but this is a darn cool do-it-yourself project for all you crafty OCC'ers.

[via Cool Hunting, Design Sponge and Core77]

- Ben Gaydos  [ 11/2/2004 - 07:28 ]   #

- Chad Dally  [ 10/26/2004 - 13:49 ]   #

With all of the brewha surrounding the expiration of the U.S. ban on assault rifles, it's great to see something constructive being done with AK-47s and other weapons of collectively massive destruction...Based in Phnom Penh, the PAPC involves 23 students from Royal University of Fine Arts Phnom Penh. "The completed work is exhibited and sold to promote contemporary Cambodian art, young Cambodian artisans and a weapon free society in Cambodia and globally." Anyone know of a similar project in the States? If not, perhaps there should be...

You can check out some of the work, including sculpture and furniture(!) at: http://www.peaceartprojectcambodia.org/sculptureGallery/ and K4 Media at www.k4media.com 

         

 

- Nick Gaydos  [ 10/13/2004 - 16:12 ]   #

It is so close to Halloween...


Link to an online gallery of Botz's photos
Link to last week's NYT article about Lee

- Ben Gaydos  [ 9/24/2004 - 12:15 ]   #

- Nick Gaydos  [ 9/6/2004 - 16:45 ]   #

Outside Circle co-founder, Ben Gaydos, installed his multimedia exhibit this morning at Marygrove College, in Detroit, Michigan. Sometimes he gets too bashful to toot his horn.

Criticall Mass 2, is a juried exhibition organized by Flak Detroit, a creative collective much like Outside Circle. The opening performance is this coming Sunday and open for anyone who is interested in attending.

Details:

Exhibit Dates:
September 7 - October 2, 2004

- Chad Dally  [ 6/3/2004 - 17:48 ]   #

In 2001, staff at the San Francisco library found that over 600 books on gay/lesbian issues, women's issues and HIV/AIDS were destroyed beyond repair (and the person responsible was charged with a hate crime). Rather than trash them, the damaged books were sent to artists around the world "in the hope of creating art out of this destructive act" and the exhibit was held in May.  Slate.com has a slide show of some of the pieces at http://slate.msn.com/id/2098846/slideshow/2099007/fs/0/entry/2099001/

Dinners & Nightmares by Marlene Russum Scott

It reminded me of an exhibit held at Michigan State's Kresge Art Museum a couple of years ago from Ediciones Vigia, a Matanzas, Cuba publishing company "which brings together poets, writers, illustrators and designers. The small group of about fifteen people uses recycled and natural materials to create handmade books. Only 200 copies of each book are made, all produced at the same time, with each binding and text element added one-by-one."  I'll admit, though,that pictures don't really do the works justice. There is also an International Society of Altered Book Artists which does this sort of thing as well (www.alteredbookartists.com)

cover design for Ediciones Vigia's 15th Anniversary Revista del Vigia by Rolando Estevez

- Nick Gaydos  [ 6/3/2004 - 09:50 ]   #

This exhibit is open June 5 - September 26, 2004:

"Duane Hanson was actually not a great photographer.  He was a great sculptor who created unbelievably realistic life-size sculptures of average Americans.  The photos are his "sketches," used to create the sculptures.  They are on display for the first time ever outside New York.

This exhibit offers a rare window on Hanson's working methods and his sculptural journey into hyper-realism.  More than 100 images represent the sum of his work and help structure an investigation on the relationship between photography, sculpture, art and life.

"Bodybuilder" (pictured here) was created in 1989, and is part of the Cranbrook Art Museum Collection.  Also on display during the photography exhibit is "Businessman Reading" (1983), on loan from the Collection of Gilbert and Lila Silverman."

[via Great Stuff]

- Ben Gaydos  [ 5/28/2004 - 03:29 ]   #

 

- Peter Richards  [ 5/25/2004 - 12:38 ]   #

OCC's second annual weekend retreat, Fort Unit-Sun, will be on fifteen wooded acres outside the small village of Fife Lake, Michigan, late August or early September.  We hope to time things so that we are there in the midst of northern Michigan's dramatic autumn color change.  Stay tuned for more details.

Our host will be the lovely and talented mixed-media artist Nick Fisher, who we know for his wise and twisted take on the surreal and the fantastic.  Recently, Nick has also been producing some great poster designs:

- Peter Richards  [ 2/18/2004 - 03:23 ]   #

There is exciting potential in the use of homemade musical instruments.  There was a time in distant history when a musician began their career by fabricating their own instrument.  Over time, instrument building has become its own specialized profession.

Kind of like the origins of the picture frame.  Originally the gilt alcoves and shrines that religious paintings were displayed in, ornate frames then evolved to be carved by the painters themselves.  Over time, it became its own separate specialization.

One that is still boxing us in.

What I want to know is:  Have you ever designed, built, played, or recorded your own instrument?  Do you know of artists or ensembles that perform on handbuilt instruments?  And, are you interested in developing such an ensemble?

- Ben Gaydos  [ 2/13/2004 - 12:01 ]   #

is your life lacking excitement? adventure? a sense of purpose?
if so, that's really too bad...

...anyway, we've devised the OCCswatteam to spread the word about our artists and our collective: an elite force of proactive art lovers who want to let people know that art is being created every day- galleries are unvieling new work, music is being performed, poets are speaking, films are being exhibited, dancers are well, dancing, thespians are taking stage, web gurus are punching new codes... and all that other important stuff we do as artists.  

we would like OCC members, across the globe, to spread the word locally. all you have to do to sign up is click my profile at the bottom of the screen, once on your profile page check off the OCCswatteam  newsletter box and you're officially cool. we'll contact you and send you your official swatteam gear, which will include:

1. OCC Fliers/Poster
2. [mini] JOWAI, The Journal of Words and Images
3. OCC stencil
4. Personalized OCC "business" cards
5. The OCC CD-Rom

sound wicked-cool? it probably is.

if you have any questions about life threatening obligations or sketchy covert operations you might be involved in contact ben@edict.com

 

- Ben Gaydos  [ 1/3/2004 - 18:07 ]   #

- Ben Gaydos  [ 11/17/2003 - 07:28 ]   #

whether or not we care to admit it, many of us are where we are at today because of legos. yes, i know, you may think that is a stretch, but i know that without those colorful bricks, i would not be the fine manipulator of visual space that i claim to be, and i wouldn't love the danes so much either. in my web hopping today i found out where they really come from: "they are scraped off the inside of magical trees by tiny danish elves, right?." not really... enjoy this trip to the lego factory: the making of a brick

"the making of brick" was created by flash animators extroardinaire, pop! lot's o' neat stuff there... check em out.

sidenote: in my search for a lego image i found this: the brick testament (yes lego bibletales). enjoy.

- Ben Gaydos  [ 11/10/2003 - 08:51 ]   #

there is less than a week left to submit entries for the outside circle collective's publication, jowai: the journal of words and images. thanks to all those that have submitted work thus far. we've got a healthy collection of photos, short stories and poems, but we still want more! we are especially lacking in handmade art (paintings/ sculpture/ collage/ drawings/ crafts/ etc). so if you've got some work you haven't sent in yet, don't miss this opportunity to get your art out there!

all entries can be emailed to ben@gaydos.org. when emailing images, please keep the images hi-res (+150dpi).   the entrants will be notified when published. questions? email ben (see address above).

- Ben Gaydos  [ 11/4/2003 - 17:25 ]   #

in edinburgh there exists a forest: a self-funded, not-for-profit arts café and exhibition space, run and staffed by a collective of volunteers. the forest is an inspiring experiment in arts, food, public space & forum, entertainment, sustainablity, and community. the space the forest (housed in a former church) maintains a gallery, a café/bar, and a gathering area to eat/ sleep /study /converse. it is staffed by volunteers and entirely funded by the food sold off of their menu (the most expensive dish costs £3.50), all of which is either vegetarian or vegan, as well as fairly traded and ethically produced. sound too good to be true? the forest also provides:

Free Bike Hire : passport or credit card deposit required
Free Sewing Machine : just in case
Free Broadband Internet Access : limited to 15mins only when there is a queue
Free Event Space : Host anything, see anything, all for nothin'
Free Workshops : and any event you or your friends wish to have
Ride Share Board : don't like it here, go someplace else
Multi Media Facilities : Super8, 16mm, video and computer projection available
Swap Board : change something old into something new
Open Decks : just ask!
Grants : up to £100 for worthy projects just submit a proposal

those that i talked with were quite interested in OCC as well as creating a dialogue between the two groups. they welcomed OCC's publication, jowai, and encouraged us to enter films in their film festival, and welcomed submissions for exhibition.

 

- Mary Ann Mangano  [ 10/27/2003 - 17:25 ]   #

MY Idea

A Page In My Book

365

my experiment

one year long

Creativity of all types

short stories, photos, art, poems, etc...

You have one page to fill with anything you desire

send your ideas to apageinmybook@hotmail.com

one submission will be picked daily for 365 days