amount: $0 - HMWV Letter of Introduction to the Vlogosphere
Usage: To induce a few vloggers to invest some time making short vlog entries
Timeline: Two to four weeks from 'funding'
Deliverable: One 5-10 minute collaborative meditation on Robert Smithson's Spiral Jetty; a real-time, real-world test of the mediamaking machine potential that is the vlogosphere.
Project title: "ARTSMASH : SPIRAL / Alice's Adventures in Art"
Inspirations: TurnHere.com - a geocentric vloggy collection of short films made by great local artists / filmmakers / characters who are passionate about their neighborhoods.
"I feel as though arts coverage has suffered all over the world, and now we have a medium to transform the Byzantine art infrastructure into something that is attentive to living, working artists." - Sean-Michael Robinson
This support request is for continuing contributions from the vlogosphere for episodes of ARTSMASH, a weekly, theme-based art vlog that covers the intersection of art-past with art-present, and proves that art is not something to be worshipped from afar. This show is very much a hands-on, interactive community activity, bringing vloggers in contact with artists, some of whom are living, some dead.
Up to fifty percent of each vlog entry will be shot by a Yahoo-group / Vlogmap-generated network of vloggers from around the globe, mostly on assignment, based upon a calendar of forthcoming themes.
The other fifty percent is accomplished in a studio and on location, with a regular host who introduces each show, and interviews an artist in physical proximity with art. The idea being that just interviewing an artist about their work forces them into bad habits.
Principles of vlogger assignments are:
1. be creative/vloggy;
2. record as many perspectives on the theme as possible; and
3. keep it short, communicate your idea in thirty to sixty seconds.
As part of the proposal process, Sean has produced a proof of concept pilot episode to test fly the concept without HMWV assistance. If successful, he will evaluate the wisdom of applying for our assistance in garnering vloggers to contribute and funding for a second episode.
ARTSMASH : SPIRAL - pilot
The above is Sean's initial episode for your consideration. Sean was in Salt Lake City near one of the most influential works of art of the 20th Century, Robert Smithson's Spiral Jetty. He's created this short documentary based on his travel to the Jetty, and an introduction to Smithson's perspective.
Because there are many instances of Smithson's earthworks world wide, Sean will ask the vlogosphere for self-contained pieces.
"The goal is to create something of worth from the Spiral Jetty, from our collective inspiration and backgrounds.
"BUT, this does not mean that you have to make something that is in context. Art is not a ending point that should only be admired, but a starting point for the humans who live now. And Smithson himself said that art is not a reductive thing, but something that enables interconnection.
"Some examples to give you an idea of what I mean:"
A short piece about salt, and why it forms into spirals and crystals.
A reenactment of the Spiral Jetty in mashed potatoes or in your local watering hole.
A silent piece about all the places where spirals show up close to you.
Find another one of Smithson's works that is close to you, and do a short piece about it to share. Do it guerilla style. If you live in Passaic, New Jersey, for example, some of his works are there I believe. There is also one in Denmark, I believe. And a couple at the Tate in London.
A work of art that you created inspired in some way by Smithson's work.
Examples of what the Jetty inspired in an "art history" context.
A cartoon or Second Life reenactment of the construction of the jetty.
Fake interviews, fake expertise, man on the street, girl in a plane, etc...
And so on, but ask yourself why it inspires you, or if some component is a lift off point, but it must be justified in some way.
One of the major themes of Smithson's work is that it's about everything in-between a salt crystal and the galaxy. So you know...
The narrative will tell the story of Smithson making this specific Utah Spiral Jetty work, but with vlogger attitude.
Sean anticipates securing long-term funding and London production space for the series once he's got a pilot in hand. The building has already been bought in the London Bridge area of London, and it was initially conceived as being a building related to culture.
"It's important to build this from the ground up, and I'm sure that we will inspire each other to do something great."
Contact Sean if you wish to participate in footage gathering (see top of page).
'TECHNICAL NOTES': Output footage to DV or as high a quality as possible. Footage may be delivered via URL, upload to SpinXpress or ftp (coming soon).
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