Project Progress

PROJECT PROGRESS: To date, I have collected three gallons of pennies! Will tally them soon. Check here for Project Progress throughout the year.





Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Kick-Off in 3 Days!


It is with both excitement and trepidation that I look ahead to the kick-off of this project. How will it be received? Will it generate the kind of interest and excitement I expect and hope for? Will I be able to pull it off? Does the community even want to be involved in an art project? Is the premise a good one, worthy of such public discourse?

When I was growing up, meeting an artist was just about the most exciting thing that could happen to me. Watching one work or talking with one about the creative process was like a dream come true. I don't know if that's still true for people today. We artists are everywhere. The market, at least here in Phoenix, is saturated. I meet literally hundreds of people when I'm showing on a typical First Friday (the monthly artwalk in Phoenix). Of those, a handful are interested in meeting and talking to the artist; and of  those, most want to talk about the finsihed pieces, not the process. So.... what am I doing here? The idea is to involve the community in both providing the materials and designing and building the installation. Many people have not experienced art as an entire process... they only see the end result. My hope is to share the process with those who are interested. Along the way, I'd like to put the "public" back in "Public Art" by involving the community , through this blog, in all facets of the design and implementation of the piece.

As of today, press releases have been sent out and at least one newspaper article is scheduled to appear. Not a bad start.

Remember, you can participate by adding pennies, suggesting ideas and titles for the artwork, and aiding in the design and construction. Follow this blog to get involved in the discussion and the process!

Monday, December 13, 2010

In the beginning...


If I had a penny for every time someone said, "I like your work," I'd be rich!! Beginning January 1, 2011, I'll be asking everyone who makes such comments to drop a penny in my Penny Jar (and if they don't, I'll drop one in myself), but not to make me rich... After the year ends, I'll create a piece of art (not sure what yet) that incorporates the pennies into the work. So, if you like my work, send me a penny (see info on right sidebar) and become part of the art!

I'll be blogging about the project... how it's going, how people are reacting to it, how it's affecting me as the pennies come in (or not). I'll also blog about the development of the piece of art that will ultimately be created from the pennies. Should be an interesting journey, one I look forward to sharing. Stay tuned...