Erwin Wurm

“Outdoor Sculpture, Taipei” 2000

“The artist is perhaps best known for his ongoing “Do It Yourself” and “One Minute Sculpture” series (begun in 1996 and ’98, respectively). These consist of written instructions and diagrams and any props needed to carry them out, such as “show your tongue,” “lie on the balls–no part of the body should touch the ground,” and “put the felt markers on top of your shoes, hold this for one minute and think of Rene Descartes….” (read article)

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Janine Antoni

“Ingrown,” 1998, C-print

Iraqi civilian gun trucks

An amazing collection of photos of standard trucks and cars that have been modified for the Iraq war by both the Iraqi police and civilian contractors. Like fortified mini-tanks, these improvised units become interesting examples of connecting and rehabbing disparate objects for new purposes.

Chimeras, past and present

In Greek mythology, the Chimera (or, as in Latin, Chimaera) is a monstrous creature made of the parts of multiple animals.

“Back in 1997, a rather bizarre photograph suddenly became very famous. It showed a totally hairless mouse, with what appeared to be a human ear growing out of its back. 

Hyperbolic Space Crochet Models

crochet model of hyperbolic plane

“In 1997 Cornell University mathematician Daina Taimina finally worked out how to make a physical model of hyperbolic space that allows us to feel, and to tactilely explore, the properties of this unique geometry. The method she used was crochet. (link to article)

crochet: endless connections

Crochet is a highly adaptable and usually overlooked medium–using a single yarn and a single hook (as opposed to knitting, which uses two needles), crochet can go freeform to create lacey patterns, jumbly to make abstract shapes, and also connect individual items together in a “net” of stitches. It’s possible to crochet with wire, raffia, rope, and other single-stranded items. Try electrical wiring or even extension cords…

a fancy crochet pattern showing stitching symbols

crocheted lace

duct tape

For some reason people like to go crazy with duct tape, making everything from clothing, bags, wallets, etc. out of it. The combination of strength and pliability makes it incredibly useful and versatile…Yes, that’s a duct tape truck above.

Rube Goldberg

Rube Goldberg gets his think-tank working and evolves the simplified pencil-sharpener.

Open window (A) and fly kite (B). String (C) lifts small door (D) allowing moths (E) to escape and eat red flannel shirt (F). As weight of shirt becomes less, shoe (G) steps on switch (H) which heats electric iron (I) and burns hole in pants (J). Smoke (K) enters hole in tree (L), smoking out opossum (M) which jumps into basket (N), pulling rope (O) and lifting cage (P), allowing woodpecker (Q) to chew wood from pencil (R), exposing lead. Emergency knife (S) is always handy in case opossum or the woodpecker gets sick and can’t work.

American Science and Surplus

For surplus everything: electronic parts, hardware, robot parts, glass lab beakers and petri dishes, gadgets, knick-knacks, art supplies, etc. Cheap prices because someone decided to liquidate a ton of things at once. Sign up to get a paper catalog delivered to you or shop online at their website. Samples include:

Tap Plastics

Not just for plastics–find casting resins, moldmaking materials, epoxies, translucent film and vinyl, plexi sheeting, signage banners, and more…Also sells an array of adhesives (mostly for man-made materials). They also fabricate plexi shapes and cutouts on-demand.

Basic electronics

Want to make flashing LED lights or small motors turn at different speeds? Buy small solar-powered cells to power a small gadget? I taught myself basic (VERY basic) electronics using just a standard book from Radioshack (above) and by purchasing an inexpensive sodering iron, wires, and a basic breadboard and components.

Knitta: soft tagging

“Knitta began in August 2005, when AKrylik and PolyCotN were discussing their frustration over unfinished knitting projects: half-knitted sweaters and balls of yarn gathering dust. That afternoon, they knit their first doorknob cozy. Then it dawned on them… A tag crew of knitters, bombing the inner city with vibrant, stitched works of art, wrapped around everything from beer bottles on easy nights to public monuments and utility poles on more ambitious outings. With a mix of clandestine moves and gangsta rap — Knitta was born! Today, Knitta is a group of more than 10 ladies of all ages, races, nationalities, religions, sexual orientation… and gender…”

The Year of the Rope: An Interview with Linda Montano & Tehching Hsieh

July, 1983
STATEMENT

We, LINDA MONTANO and TEHCHING HSIEH, plan to do a one year performance.

We will stay together for one year and never be alone. We will be in the same room at the same time, when we are inside. We will be tied together at the waist with an 8 foot rope. We will never touch each other during the year.

The performance will begin on July 4, 1983, at 6 p.m., and continue until July 4, 1984, at 6 p. m.

—Linda Montano
—Tehching Hsieh

(more…)

Andy Goldsworthy: natural connections

British artist Andy Goldsworthy creates site-specific installations in the natural world, using only available materials like ice, leaves, flowers, and stones. The only connective material and adhesives he uses are part of the physical properties inherent in the materials themselves: thorns, frozen ice, water, spit, gravity, etc.

lacemaking

Weaving and knotting tiny threads (sometimes numbering in the hundreds) into a decorative fiber. The ultimate in connecting…

handmade lace in progress–note the many individual threads and bobbins.