Hi gang. Five bits of equally exciting news from me:
the sun is out
I saw the Odyssey (not in IMAX - shut up)
I’m building a robot
wifärt is expanding
I got engaged
Below I have written about just two of them:
My public art project: wifärt gallery officially opened last month. Thanks to everyone who helped out - Ramen Space for hosting, Local Beer for supplies - and everyone who braved a sweltering evening to celebrate. We had a big iPad for drawings - the increase in quality was quite drastic. Somebody even did a fairly accurate drawing of me (below).
What was extra special was a live slideshow of drawings submitted on the night. People waited in anticipation to see how their drawings would be interpreted and analysed. When was the last time you doodled, then instantly became an exhibited contemporary artist, for all to see?
So what’s next?
There has now been over 500 submissions (and barely ANY shlongs). People seem to really love the concept of turning the really boring moment in life of logging onto Wi-Fi - into one that brings surprise and delight - and becoming an artist.
So I’m officially declaring the pilot programme a resounding success [cue standing ovation].
The project now needs to self-sustain. I’ve fronted all costs so far, and that can't continue. As fun as that is - I have my dog’s mouth to feed AND HE’S VERY PICKY.
I’m not asking for donations. I’ve been hard at work creating a print club so you get something really cool in return for your support: an artwork from the gallery every month in the post. i.e. a little print, 350gsm gallery quality - done by a stranger in return for internet - given the curator treatment with a description and title on the other side.
Consider it a monthly moment of random joy in the mail to contrast your bills, pizza flyers and overdue demands for child support. If you become a yearly member, you’ll also get 2 months free and receive a fancy transparent membership card for showing off to your mates. OooOOooo!!!
By my calculations, I need about 30 people to join for the gallery to self-sustain. What a fun (and universally respected) thing to be part of!
AND ALSO:
if you’re a venue and would like to host a wifart gallery portal, check out this page. Yeah that’s right, it’s expanding. Slipped that one in didn’t I!
I’m building a robot
This project is still very much in development.
The components I have managed to get working together are:
Raspberry Pi computer
camera
thermal printer
payment device
massive red button
small monitor
It’s currently built within an old school briefcase, but I’m tempted to repurpose a mannequin to give it more essence (and a face - poor thing).
What exactly it does, or attempts to do, is yet to be determined. I’ve gone back and forth with so many ideas.
Whatever the robot is, it shall be queefed into reality soon, and you’ll be the first to hear.
That’s all for now gang.
Wait - did I mention the wifart print club?!
and for all those people who scroll to the bottom of my newsletter…
riddle me this. what is this thing please? I sometimes seem them but I never know what they are. Quite curious little boxes.
And for a bonus point - which letter did I VERY almost leave out of this newsletter that would've caused a rather hilarious typo?
Or: ‘massive red butto’
Two contenders for near-miss hilarious typo: ‘When was the last time you dooded, then instantly became an exhibited contemporary artist, for all to see?’