Today I dropped off my contribution to Kathleen Judge‘s Exquisite City Project. The Exquisite City is a collaboratively built city made out of cardboard that comes together at the last minute. The individual parts (buildings, parks, streets, etc…) are made independently by individual artists. My contribution is an “exquisite window” which is one room of a building – a diorama in a shoe box. The shoe boxes will be piled up behind a building fascade.
It’s not surprising in this town that Judge conceived of this project. She has been involved in the past with the Birdhouse Museum Cardboard Art Shows inspired by the work of Ray Johnson. As for the “exquisite” aspect, this is inspired by the Exquisite Corpse most prominantly associated with the early Surrealists. The Art Institute of Chicago has a few Exquisite Corpses in their permanent collection. Several years ago, these inspired me to create EC’s with bandmates while on tour. Here’s one from THE LATEST.
The Exquisite City is nevertheless a unique idea, all hats off to Kathleen. I’m excited to see her contribution in particular since I am a big fan of her work (a few years ago I eInterviewed her for the Disclexington blog). She has brought together some terrific artists, including many known as much for their musical contributions to this city. Sally Timms of the Mekons is taking part, as is Keith Herzik – another great local poster artist and fellow Texan/member of THE LATEST.
Below is a picture of my extremely modest contribution. I don’t normally like art explained for its moral message but I’m going to make an exception because I think now is the time to voice these ideas and make them a bigger reality.
This room depicts a small group of guys collaborating as a band. It depicts them talking and waiting in between creative bursts. Behind them, scribbled on the wall is the phrase “World’s Greatest (and Smallest) Band.” The band you are in IS the World’s Greatest Band. The World’s Greatest Band IS the Smallest Band. Do good work. Collaborate. Be a part of a community and all that jibberjabber. But I think I am preaching to the choir here so I’ll shut up.
That guitar player looks just like you when you had the ‘fro.
Chicago looked pretty exquisite last night
Cool Mr. Lost. Cool.
The last diorama I made was for a Jason Austin deal, who made all the early austin crust/ed hall/ seemen/ jesus lizard dayglo posters back when god was young. I have always liked this medium, and would love to make more. I am so impatient though and my hands are enormous so it makes for a brutal effort.
I wonder how it must have felt being in that park last night.
Cheers to you staying productive with child.
Kudos on the Cardboard art.