Thursday, December 21, 2006

Candlelight Performance

I recently sent out packages of screenprinted luminaria across the country to friends and family with the nonsensical idea that theoretically all the luminaria could be lit at the same time, and how that idea made me smile. I just recently put one of the packages (4 luminaria, card, inspired by the Powel House chandalier, and instructions) into a pollyanna gift exchange at holiday work party - the person that chose it said that he was so excited about them that he would send me pictures of the luminaria lit up - and I realized my mistake - that I should have asked everyone to collect images of them and send them to me! Alas, so, if you read this and you received them, take a photos and I'll put it up.

Luminaria

Friday, December 15, 2006

Information feedback loop

Is it possible to create a scenario where I can create an information feedback loop. My project is called Playing Telephone with ghosts...what would happen if i built an installation of a telephone booth in old city Philadelphia, merging old technologies with new...stand in a telephone booth, dial your cell phone with the number provided, the phone in the booth rings and the person picks up the receiver, is it them, is it an art piece, are they calling themselves? How much can i mess with this?

Thursday, December 14, 2006

traces of pigeons mark the concrete

Pigeons were a menu item in the 18th century, long since removed from our modern dietary memory. I was reminded of a dish I found at the Library Company recently called "pigeons transmogrified". Myself and artist Katie Baldwin will attempt to revive this dish soon...although through art, not culinary devices.

Saturday, December 9, 2006

Strange Reflections

Eerie floating heads with street reflections in another historic neighborhood, though this one is in the Federal Hill neighborhood of Providence, Rhode Island. Caught this snapshot of the storefront display walking by. Check out the other images on flickr.

Friday, December 8, 2006

The House that Wine Built

I'm finding that the history of Philadelphia and perhaps our nation would not be what it is had it not been for the love of social drinking. Franklin founded the Junto a secret society in Philadelphia whose members gathered weekly to drink and talk of revolution. They went on to found the first library, The Library Company, the first insurance company, the first police force, and much more.

The main exhibition of Playing Telephone with Ghosts will be at the Physick House in November of 2007, and here is a brief history of that building, from their archives:

"Philadelphia, since its founding has been a town that has liked to tipple. And a favorite spirit of drinkers in the 18th century proved to be Madeira, a fortified grape juice and brandy beverage. Importer Henry Hill made enough money as a Madeira merchant to build this elegant free-standing mansion in what was becoming one of the more fashionable neighborhoods of a post-Revolutionary city better known for rowhouses. Thirst for Madeira made Hill so wealthy that in addition to building this abode, he could also maintain a country estate called Carlton which overlooked the Schuylkill River, complete with a private racetrack. Though that manse is now covered by a reservoir, the Hill-Physick-Keith house endured — just barely though."

Inkshed

William Goddard started his own battle in his paper against the Junto in Philadelphia,

"The Junto, after several private meetings and adjournments at the Theater of Scandal, in Fourth Street, during two long weeks past, and at a prodigious waste of paper, and much inkshed, have at last sent forth one Benjamin Towne with a stink pot in his hand."

Ink is the great missive weapon


"Now, it must here be understood that ink is the great missive weapon in all battles of the learned, which conveyed through a sort of engine called a quill, infinite numbers of these are darted at the enemy by the valiant on each side, with equal skill and violence, as if it were an engagement of porcupines. This malignant liquor, which are gall and copperas; by its bitterness and venom to suit in some degree, as well as to format, the opinions of the combatants."

So said Swift in his Battle of the Book of 1604.

And now, I with my virtual ink on your screen shall the battle shall be studied.

And, if you are so inclined, please visit the Gutenberg Project to read a the Battle of the Book.