One additional thing to think about is that it takes about one hour for two people to glue one eight foot floor section. So rather than planning to work for four hours in a row and waiting for glue to dry - I would suggest, coming to glue for an hour (or two if you glue two sections), leave and come back a few hours later (3-6hours) unclamp them, stack them in the hall there, and glue up another section. Basically whenever you have an hour free and a partner stop by and glue up a section. Leave a note as to the time that you glued so the next person won't unclamp too soon.
Lots of varieties of wood now. All of the wood that is wrapped in duct tape in the bins in the undergrad studios are ready for use. Clean brushes and pans and leave there when you are finished.
Great work today.
Marion
Friday, November 16, 2007
Thursday, November 15, 2007
how to make your very own scrap wood floor . . . .
as requested, here is the quick and easy process:
step 1. arrange on the floor 24' or 26' long sections (I recommend adding a couple inches to the finished length) of aggregate wood, approx. 3" in width. note: strips look best if you alternate adjacent wood types
step 2. divide the 24' or 26' long section into approx. three 8' lengths. (for 26' long sections, may alternate to two 8' + one 10', or other arrangement deemed acceptable by zach)
step 3. place one 8' length onto the "gluing jig" (aka. the 20' long c-channel + osb screwed to 2x4s). note: be sure to keep aggregate wood pattern in the same order for all three 8' lengths.
step 4. make sure one end flush.
step 5. start gluing. probably best to work in pairs for gluing, since wood glue can set quickly. note: don't be cheap with the glue, more is better.
step 6. once all strips are glued together, place the extra 3" osb strip on top and the extra c-channel against the side. don't skip this step, the osb/channel is needed to distribute evenly and keep boards flush.
step 7. vertically clamp the freshly glued wood aggregate between the two 3" osb strips. alternate with horizonally clamping the freshly glued wood aggregate between the two steel channels.
step 8. finished with one 8' length? move onto the next two.
*enjoy the dumbed down process diagram, not sure why the wood glue looks blue?
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
another step closer to liminality
Liminality (from the Latin word līmen, meaning "a threshold"[1]) is the quality of the second stage of a ritual in the theories of Arnold van Gennep, Victor Turner, and others. In these theories, a ritual, especially a rite of passage, involves some change to the participants, especially their social status.[2]
The liminal state is characterized by ambiguity, openness, and indeterminacy. One's sense of identity dissolves to some extent, bringing about disorientation. Liminality is a period of transition where normal limits to thought, self-understanding, and behavior are relaxed - a situation which can lead to new perspectives.
We made a lot of progress over the charrette since Matt arrived last Wednesday evening. He was very impressed with our project and thankful for the opportunity to contribute to it. He is even considering coming back to help some more. From Thursday mornign to Monday morning we worked nonstop designing, driving around getting materials, grinding, cutting, welding and fabricating.
If you haven't been by the bust yet, we have a really beautiful/powerful/awesome/accessible threshold into our M-LAB. If you are at the bus, be careful to step through and over the door frame to enter. We don't want to rack the door any until we get the front and back panels on it. You can swing the door open and step on the door jam all you want.
Its amazing how something as simple as offsetting the hinge on a door completely changes the experience, or the semiotics, of "doorness". The next step is to work out a latch/lock that also refuses the signification of "door". Why go through all this trouble designing and fabricating these ideas? Because, these details contribute to the ambiguity and indeterminacy of form and function which will foster the liminal spatial properties of our classroom. Just like the unexpected aggregate wood floor, puzzle benches, cloud ceiling and cabinet wall.
We're not out of the woods yet though. There is still about 6 hours of fabrication work left on the door... I mean threshold.
Matt is on his way back to CT with the oak panels which will be milled on the large format CNC machine and sent back up here next week or so.
Thanks Marion for helping us work out access to the tools and shop over the weekend and Roslyn for the trip to home depot... we broke the rest of those bits that night and had to use the ones you picked up.
Saturday, November 10, 2007
and let's not forget Steve Ginsburg
Possibly against his will, with all that time we are spending in the woodshop, Steve Ginsburg has gotten into the act as well. Remember never never upset Steve, and freshman comes first and he loves sweets.
David Clayton is Back on the Team
David Clayton rejoins us to work on fabrication and work closely with Zach.
A Very Special Thank you
Our design brought us back out into the community. Working to create an aggregate wood floor meant we needed to collect a lot of wood scraps. Marion and Zach took on this job with ferociousness (help from Jessica and Roslyn too) and before you know it we were inside the Stickley Factory. A special thank you to Andrea Audi who has a special interest in the arts and literacy for making generous amounts of cherry and oak to us. They had more wood than we even knew what to do with. Thank you also to National Grid, Melanie Littlejohn and Jim Conway of the Forestry Department for generous amounts of OSB and to the Redhouse for getting us started with basement scraps.
We have spent the last two weekends laminating strips together to make the studs for below 24" of the walls of the bus. When the wall panels are pulled away to reveal the cushions/writing tablets you will see these gorgeous aggregate wood studs. We are now beginning work on the floor and altho there is some confusion about 24foot strip and half inch wood "boards" bundled into piles, Samantha, Yun Pei, Jessica, Arjan, and Julia are working hard to figure it out.
Committed to making bus accessible to all from the very beginning got Nicolette thinking creatively about solutions and a trip to the Chancellors office by the whole group is going to make an aluminum ramp possible. A special thank you to Chancellor Cantor for her continued enthusiasm for this project!
We have spent the last two weekends laminating strips together to make the studs for below 24" of the walls of the bus. When the wall panels are pulled away to reveal the cushions/writing tablets you will see these gorgeous aggregate wood studs. We are now beginning work on the floor and altho there is some confusion about 24foot strip and half inch wood "boards" bundled into piles, Samantha, Yun Pei, Jessica, Arjan, and Julia are working hard to figure it out.
Committed to making bus accessible to all from the very beginning got Nicolette thinking creatively about solutions and a trip to the Chancellors office by the whole group is going to make an aluminum ramp possible. A special thank you to Chancellor Cantor for her continued enthusiasm for this project!
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Artists talk tomorrow
Remember to join us for Matt's artist talk tomorrow at 1:45 in room 022 in Comart.
Is everyone clear on the wooden floor team?
What was the decision on the lighting?
If I have time this weekend I am going to start experimenting with ceiling/bubble samples. What depth are we looking for and approximately what size - do we know yet?
Is everyone clear on the wooden floor team?
What was the decision on the lighting?
If I have time this weekend I am going to start experimenting with ceiling/bubble samples. What depth are we looking for and approximately what size - do we know yet?
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
(lengthy) Lighting Update . . .
So I spent the morning at Edward Joy Elec; but before I get into the different lighting options, I'm gonna mention that the everyone there is in love with our project. Just while browsing I had 3 separate employees come up and ask me about this "cool bus" they just heard about. I actually took Vince's rendering of the interior to help explain what we needed and it ended up helping a lot. So keep that in mind
down to basics:
1 The quick estimate is that for the space we have, we'd need about 500-1000 watts. In other words between 5 and 10, 100 watt lightbulbs, make sense? If anyone is interested in helping to test this out, let me know.
2 We need to decide if we want this lighting to more "general" lighting or "accent" lighting. Accent lighting would fit the system we've designed best. However, accent lighting isn't optimal for classroom space. Is this important? The bus will be primarly used during the day, so do we want to wash out the space with light or not? please post ur option on this. thanks
3 With limited space at the ceiling, it will be hard to have any type of recessed lighting. In addition, to the lighting fixture, we'd need about 6" of space for the can surrounding it. There are some smaller options with Halogen lights (issues with that is high level of heat created).
4 Any type of lighting from behind the arcylic plastic = ambient glow is pretty much out of the question. I know we nixed that last week, but my convo today basically reassured that fact.
5 Our initial idea about low voltage flourscent lights will price out at $750, this is a rough estimate - Ed Joy has a varitey of options which would alter the price. I didn't look very much into it, since I know quite a few people do not want florescent lighting. However, at this point seems to be our best option for a "general" lighting.
6 All the other options I looked at are for accent lighting (meaning under cabinet, cove lighting, track lighting). If you have any ideas for general lighting options other than florescent, please let me know.
7 Top recommendation is for Kichler Linear Lighting (low voltage, strip lighting system). Estimate total price at $1100. Very vestile system, I'll bring more info tomorrow. Basically if we decide after installation that more light is needed, we purchase more of the little bulbs and plug them straight into the track (we need to consider this in purchasing the transformer tho). The lights can be clustered or spread out, and can be changed by anyone.
8 Halogen track lighting. Estimate price (without transformer, etc) $400. Basic track lighting u'd see in residential bathrooms. Issue with heat, need to be careful about distance of materials from lighting, fixture and track is much larger.
9 LED Lighting (strip and rope). Initially I thought this would be our best options. However, I was informed that LED is actually very bad for lighting a space (better uses in signs and x-mas lighting, where your looking at the light) Ed Joy doesn't carry any examples, but gave me a manufactuer they like if we want to pursue that direction.
10 sorry for this lengthy post, just thought I should throw all the ideas out there for everyone.
down to basics:
1 The quick estimate is that for the space we have, we'd need about 500-1000 watts. In other words between 5 and 10, 100 watt lightbulbs, make sense? If anyone is interested in helping to test this out, let me know.
2 We need to decide if we want this lighting to more "general" lighting or "accent" lighting. Accent lighting would fit the system we've designed best. However, accent lighting isn't optimal for classroom space. Is this important? The bus will be primarly used during the day, so do we want to wash out the space with light or not? please post ur option on this. thanks
3 With limited space at the ceiling, it will be hard to have any type of recessed lighting. In addition, to the lighting fixture, we'd need about 6" of space for the can surrounding it. There are some smaller options with Halogen lights (issues with that is high level of heat created).
4 Any type of lighting from behind the arcylic plastic = ambient glow is pretty much out of the question. I know we nixed that last week, but my convo today basically reassured that fact.
5 Our initial idea about low voltage flourscent lights will price out at $750, this is a rough estimate - Ed Joy has a varitey of options which would alter the price. I didn't look very much into it, since I know quite a few people do not want florescent lighting. However, at this point seems to be our best option for a "general" lighting.
6 All the other options I looked at are for accent lighting (meaning under cabinet, cove lighting, track lighting). If you have any ideas for general lighting options other than florescent, please let me know.
7 Top recommendation is for Kichler Linear Lighting (low voltage, strip lighting system). Estimate total price at $1100. Very vestile system, I'll bring more info tomorrow. Basically if we decide after installation that more light is needed, we purchase more of the little bulbs and plug them straight into the track (we need to consider this in purchasing the transformer tho). The lights can be clustered or spread out, and can be changed by anyone.
8 Halogen track lighting. Estimate price (without transformer, etc) $400. Basic track lighting u'd see in residential bathrooms. Issue with heat, need to be careful about distance of materials from lighting, fixture and track is much larger.
9 LED Lighting (strip and rope). Initially I thought this would be our best options. However, I was informed that LED is actually very bad for lighting a space (better uses in signs and x-mas lighting, where your looking at the light) Ed Joy doesn't carry any examples, but gave me a manufactuer they like if we want to pursue that direction.
10 sorry for this lengthy post, just thought I should throw all the ideas out there for everyone.
Updated Workplan and Tomorrow
This is what I can imagine that needs to be covered still and can be done tomorrow. I am sending this out now so people can respond in advance.
Workplan:
I am in the process of hiring David Clayton to work directly with Zach and me in the interim while Zach is recovering. This will keep the work flow moving and Zach involved as the lead on wood fabrication - at least conceptually. The rest of the class will be able to continue as they have creating the aggregate wood pieces and both can work with me. David Clayton has the necessary insurance and permission to work in the woodshop so this should be a seamless transition.
Tomorrow we can continue with putting up the walls below 24inches with the two David's in the RV with Zach leading the work activity. Nicolette, Vince, Marco can assist.
We need three or four people to unload the cart of wood from Stickley and if it is dry enough cut it down to 8ft pieces and store somewhere. Samantha, Jessica, Marion, Roslyn, Julia, Yun Pei
Remaining Design Issues for all: wood furniture, ceiling, accessibility.
I suggest we discuss ramp and door first as issues of accessibility. Possibility of purchasing both as we now have a budget for them.
Also need to welcome and introduce Matt. Determine his work plan for the week and who can assist him and when....
Thoughts? People can switch jobs above if they prefer.
Marion
Workplan:
I am in the process of hiring David Clayton to work directly with Zach and me in the interim while Zach is recovering. This will keep the work flow moving and Zach involved as the lead on wood fabrication - at least conceptually. The rest of the class will be able to continue as they have creating the aggregate wood pieces and both can work with me. David Clayton has the necessary insurance and permission to work in the woodshop so this should be a seamless transition.
Tomorrow we can continue with putting up the walls below 24inches with the two David's in the RV with Zach leading the work activity. Nicolette, Vince, Marco can assist.
We need three or four people to unload the cart of wood from Stickley and if it is dry enough cut it down to 8ft pieces and store somewhere. Samantha, Jessica, Marion, Roslyn, Julia, Yun Pei
Remaining Design Issues for all: wood furniture, ceiling, accessibility.
I suggest we discuss ramp and door first as issues of accessibility. Possibility of purchasing both as we now have a budget for them.
Also need to welcome and introduce Matt. Determine his work plan for the week and who can assist him and when....
Thoughts? People can switch jobs above if they prefer.
Marion
Honorific Opportunity!
So if meeting with the Chancellor wasn't enough. We as a class have an opportunity
to apply for the Chancellor's Award for Public Engagement and Scholarship:
Syracuse University puts bold ideas in motion through Scholarship in Action - an educational approach that matches the vigorous pursuit of knowledge with the ability to make a difference in the world through community engagement. The Chancellor’s Award for Public Engagement & Scholarship (formerly known as the Chancellor’s Award for Public Service - CAPS), recognizes the committed students at Syracuse University who exemplify Scholarship in Action. This award acknowledges individual students, groups of students, residence halls, residences floors, student organizations, and academic projects or classes who invest themselves in and contribute to the public good. All faculty and staff are encouraged to nominate individual students and groups.
So Marion.... how about a nomination? I really think that we could get it. I don't think it comes with a financial package but if it did we would of course put it towards the bus!
to apply for the Chancellor's Award for Public Engagement and Scholarship:
Syracuse University puts bold ideas in motion through Scholarship in Action - an educational approach that matches the vigorous pursuit of knowledge with the ability to make a difference in the world through community engagement. The Chancellor’s Award for Public Engagement & Scholarship (formerly known as the Chancellor’s Award for Public Service - CAPS), recognizes the committed students at Syracuse University who exemplify Scholarship in Action. This award acknowledges individual students, groups of students, residence halls, residences floors, student organizations, and academic projects or classes who invest themselves in and contribute to the public good. All faculty and staff are encouraged to nominate individual students and groups.
So Marion.... how about a nomination? I really think that we could get it. I don't think it comes with a financial package but if it did we would of course put it towards the bus!
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
So that was fun...
Hey All!
Thanks for the generous amounts of well-wishing and food-offering over the past 24 hours. I'll keep this one short and sweet, as typing with one hand sucks almost as much as trying to form complete sentences while on percoset does. Anyway, the main thing that you guys should know is that the amount of damage to my body is roughly equivalent to the amount of damage that it's strategically placed left shoulder was able to inflict on the largest non-commercial truck Chevrolet manufactures (the Silverado 3500hd). I am absurdly proud of myself.
I even got the paramedics to send me a picture of the truck to my phone before they dropped me off at the ER. I'll show it to you guys on Thursday. It's pretty intense.
That being said, considering the speeds at which the truck and I were traveling, I am really lucky that I fared as well as I did.
Attached are some pics of various bits of broken carbon fiber. Enjoy!!
Grant
Not sure if this could be of much use to us or if we even qualify but here's some information
on a local arts grant for $1,000. The grant is due Dec. 1st.
http://www.cspot.org/CommunityArtsGrants.html (information on all grants available)
http://www.cspot.org/Community%20Grants/Onon08.pdf (pdf file for grant application)
on a local arts grant for $1,000. The grant is due Dec. 1st.
http://www.cspot.org/CommunityArtsGrants.html (information on all grants available)
http://www.cspot.org/Community%20Grants/Onon08.pdf (pdf file for grant application)
Monday, November 5, 2007
Wear your Bike Helmets, Please
We are terribly sad to hear that Zach was in a bad bike accident today - he is alive!!!!- but he broke his collarbone and is out of commission for awhile. The most important thing is that he gets well and I encourage you all to extend your thoughts and help to him.
We will discuss first thing on Thursday how this affects our work plan for the coming weeks - and Zach assures me that he will be in class for this discussion. Please be thinking about this the rest of you before Thursday - Zach was a our chief fabricator and we will need to strategize a bit no doubt.
We all wish Zach a speedy recovery!
We will discuss first thing on Thursday how this affects our work plan for the coming weeks - and Zach assures me that he will be in class for this discussion. Please be thinking about this the rest of you before Thursday - Zach was a our chief fabricator and we will need to strategize a bit no doubt.
We all wish Zach a speedy recovery!
Lights and HEAT!
Ahhhhh, M-LAB. We've made great progress this weekend on a number of tasks we set out for ourselves to accomplish and it feels good to be getting our hands dirty with hard work. Does anyone remember building circuits in their high school science classes? Well using those same basic principles of electricity, between David Harris and I (with a bit of help from Rosalyn on Saturday), we were able to completely rewire the RV to move the main electrical panel from the rear of the bus near the wheel well to a position just behind the driver's seat. We plan on looking at the 12 Volt electrical boxes in the coming days to decide what we want to do with them. And as our design becomes visibly constructed in the bus we will be figuring out the layout of the lighting and outlet systems in the bus.
Saturday was a pretty cold morning in Syracuse, since we're now into that season when the temperature drops and frost begins to accumulate on the windows. So, with that in mind after moving the main power source and hooking that up on our new panel we rigged up some temporary construction outlets and lighting. Which we immediately proceeded to plug a space heater into that I am sure we will all appreciate greatly as we log long hours in the RV over the upcoming cold months! Turning on that main power switch at the end of our workday Saturday we were relieved and happy to see our lights and heater start working, and it just felt so worth the effort!
Saturday was a pretty cold morning in Syracuse, since we're now into that season when the temperature drops and frost begins to accumulate on the windows. So, with that in mind after moving the main power source and hooking that up on our new panel we rigged up some temporary construction outlets and lighting. Which we immediately proceeded to plug a space heater into that I am sure we will all appreciate greatly as we log long hours in the RV over the upcoming cold months! Turning on that main power switch at the end of our workday Saturday we were relieved and happy to see our lights and heater start working, and it just felt so worth the effort!
Sunday, November 4, 2007
PROGRESS!
In case you missed it, we made a great deal of progress on many bus-related things this weekend. Here are some images of a mostly complete section of wall inside the RV. 
Saturday, November 3, 2007
For those at Dartmouth or in other non-RV locations
Intense work has been taking place! Though I cannot speak for the work that was done on Friday, I can report on some of Saturday's activities!
So far, we've managed to rewire the RV and add some lights and outlets. David made sure to select lighting that demonstrated our sleek white look reflecting properties of liminality. We've also added a space heater for future cold hands who will be working in the space. Note on the coldness: expanding foam insulation will not expand when cold.
Later in the day we picked up quite a bit of wood from Stickley. Zach and Marion provided great entertainment for those who were able to watch them back into the sculpture driveway space with large trailer of wood in tow. After we continued making stratified floor boards. This happened to be my favorite task.
And though it may be less of a surprise, we made our ritual trip to Home Depot in order to pray to the gods of fabrication and design or to buy liquid nails and other such supplies. We now have a beautiful caulking gun that can handle our 29 oz. containers of ammunition.
Leveling of the RV also took place, I think, but as I was not directly involved in that, I'll let the real heroes post about it.
More work will be done tomorrow and it should be really exciting!
So far, we've managed to rewire the RV and add some lights and outlets. David made sure to select lighting that demonstrated our sleek white look reflecting properties of liminality. We've also added a space heater for future cold hands who will be working in the space. Note on the coldness: expanding foam insulation will not expand when cold.
Later in the day we picked up quite a bit of wood from Stickley. Zach and Marion provided great entertainment for those who were able to watch them back into the sculpture driveway space with large trailer of wood in tow. After we continued making stratified floor boards. This happened to be my favorite task.
And though it may be less of a surprise, we made our ritual trip to Home Depot in order to pray to the gods of fabrication and design or to buy liquid nails and other such supplies. We now have a beautiful caulking gun that can handle our 29 oz. containers of ammunition.
Leveling of the RV also took place, I think, but as I was not directly involved in that, I'll let the real heroes post about it.
More work will be done tomorrow and it should be really exciting!
Friday, November 2, 2007
Mary Jane Jacob visit and Lecture
So in case you missed her the amazing Mary Jane Jacob was in town recently to visit us here at Syracuse University. She had a really hectic schedule, but found time to see us at the M-LAB. She was really excited about the project, so we will keep her updated.
Later on she gave a public lecture on her curatorial projects which was great. During the lecture Mary Jane gave M-LAB a big shout out, which was awesome!
If you are not familiar with Mary Jane Jacob
check out her website.
Later on she gave a public lecture on her curatorial projects which was great. During the lecture Mary Jane gave M-LAB a big shout out, which was awesome!
If you are not familiar with Mary Jane Jacob
check out her website.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Brief post
I also have a wood lead, some scrap wood a friend of mine collects because he hates to see it go to waste. he's willing to give us some 4' long pieces that are about 1 foot wide. I told him I'd find out if we still needed it... and so I shall. :)
He's also an art teacher in the Oswego school district and is willing to distribute some of our postcards to his middle school students. I think I could also get an art teacher friend of mine
over at a local private school to do the same. Just need more post cards!
He's also an art teacher in the Oswego school district and is willing to distribute some of our postcards to his middle school students. I think I could also get an art teacher friend of mine
over at a local private school to do the same. Just need more post cards!
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Cabfab
Dear all, I got a call today from the friendly people at Cab Fab as a result of the "call for wood" email we wrote and sent out last week. They are a local cabinet making company that said they'd be interested in donating to the cause. They are located on Burnet Ave, and if someone that knows what we have/has an idea of what we need, wanted to take a ride with me down there tomorrow in a truck, we could check it out and get some wood.
their website: www.cabfab.com
See you tomorrow.
-Jessica
their website: www.cabfab.com
See you tomorrow.
-Jessica
MLAB teammate in the news
There is a wonderful article on Roslyn, "Embracing Art", in the latest Syracuse University Magazine, Fall/Winter 2007. Check it out!
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Mrco Camacho says.....
:
i think that this is a great project to help out with students being
able to express their artistic ablilties, which they really could not
do that well before because they did not have sufficient space to have
this class correctly. with the moblie literacy bus they can do this.
WHAT I THINK ABOUT PUBLIC ART:
i think that public art is awesome. i think just getting to see a
piece of art without wakling into a museum and it just being in a
public space where everyone can see it is awesome. i also think that
it would be inspired, if i liked the work and saw it out in public i
would want to do an art piece. i was actually planning a little later
in life that i was going to put up a public piece. but thats how i feel
i think that this is a great project to help out with students being
able to express their artistic ablilties, which they really could not
do that well before because they did not have sufficient space to have
this class correctly. with the moblie literacy bus they can do this.
WHAT I THINK ABOUT PUBLIC ART:
i think that public art is awesome. i think just getting to see a
piece of art without wakling into a museum and it just being in a
public space where everyone can see it is awesome. i also think that
it would be inspired, if i liked the work and saw it out in public i
would want to do an art piece. i was actually planning a little later
in life that i was going to put up a public piece. but thats how i feel
Wood Luck and Mary Jane Jacobs
Zach and I took a run to Stickley today and through the generosity of Andrea Audi (picture will be posted soon) we drove home (to Comart) with a carload filled with wood. Somebody can go back again on Friday for an additional load. My contact at National Grid through their Forestry Department is also offerring us OSB board - do we want that too. I may ask them if they have MDF that we could use behind the wall panels.... what width? But do we want OSB and if so how mcuh?
We also had a great breakfast and conversation with Mary Jane Jacobs. She seems soundly excited about our project. She had a few insightful comments about our representations of the bus that we can discuss on Thursday - she thought it looked a bit like a weapons tank - the way it was represented on the computer drawings which of course was unintentional and we can change. Also she had a wonderful suggestion about the pillows and the container of memory idea and the anthropomorphizing of the bus into Miss M - or whomever. More to follow.
I think an article will appear tomorrow in the Daily Orange and someone from Newhouse is coming on Thursday to class. MORE IMPORTANTLY - please remember that snow is around the corner and we all need to put in the 6 hours between class - so - get the pans, the subfloor, the MTVU grant, the lighting research and the metal projects DONE before Thursday's class.
Also if people are around this weekend we can have our first (of many) charette's.
Class Agenda to follow tomorrow night.
Thanks!
Marion
We also had a great breakfast and conversation with Mary Jane Jacobs. She seems soundly excited about our project. She had a few insightful comments about our representations of the bus that we can discuss on Thursday - she thought it looked a bit like a weapons tank - the way it was represented on the computer drawings which of course was unintentional and we can change. Also she had a wonderful suggestion about the pillows and the container of memory idea and the anthropomorphizing of the bus into Miss M - or whomever. More to follow.
I think an article will appear tomorrow in the Daily Orange and someone from Newhouse is coming on Thursday to class. MORE IMPORTANTLY - please remember that snow is around the corner and we all need to put in the 6 hours between class - so - get the pans, the subfloor, the MTVU grant, the lighting research and the metal projects DONE before Thursday's class.
Also if people are around this weekend we can have our first (of many) charette's.
Class Agenda to follow tomorrow night.
Thanks!
Marion
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Two comments on the most recent posts. I like the idea of the cushions having some sort of "correct" location although I'm not so sure about laser cutting it into the panel and what you're thinking of on that front Zach. I thought at some point we had mentioned the cushions being different colors? And possibly these different colors could correspond to locations on the bus where the pieces have been removed. Another option being discussed the other day was whether or not we should have some sort of embroidery or colors on the cushions themselves? This could be another option, where the embroidery on the cushions corresponds to the laser cut etching on the wall? Furthermore, I loved the idea of famous quotes by different authors being the way cushions matched to their storage spaces.
My second comment was on the electrolette posting. The discussion about the electrical lighting is that it is going to be located on the edges of the ceiling or top of the wall in recessed lighting fixtures. Taking that in mind it might be a good idea to centralize the main power source near the driver's seat. Also this could be designed to be accessible, if it required maintenance, from the cab of the RV. As for outlets, I still think that centralizing the power source would be a good decision because then we could decide to run the wiring down two spaces (similar to the way that the wiring is being run from the plug at the rear of the RV to the battery) and we could then just plug in the outlets where we need them. This would organize the wiring into just a few lines that run down the RV and minimize our need to change the design to allow for electrical. I think that's a good idea but if anyone else has other ideas please put them out there!
My second comment was on the electrolette posting. The discussion about the electrical lighting is that it is going to be located on the edges of the ceiling or top of the wall in recessed lighting fixtures. Taking that in mind it might be a good idea to centralize the main power source near the driver's seat. Also this could be designed to be accessible, if it required maintenance, from the cab of the RV. As for outlets, I still think that centralizing the power source would be a good decision because then we could decide to run the wiring down two spaces (similar to the way that the wiring is being run from the plug at the rear of the RV to the battery) and we could then just plug in the outlets where we need them. This would organize the wiring into just a few lines that run down the RV and minimize our need to change the design to allow for electrical. I think that's a good idea but if anyone else has other ideas please put them out there!
Panel Thoughts
I had a lot of time to think during this weekend's long drive, and managed to devote a good amount of it to thinking about the bus - specifically about the removable panels/cushions. Here's a rundown of what I had been thinking about.
The panels need to have a pretty precise fit and, for reasons of saftey and durability, should also probably had rounded corners. As much fun as that would be to do 20 times w/ a jigsaw, it would probably be easier to laser cut them (like the model, but less frustrating). This means a couple of things. We could etch a computer engraved icon in each panel that indicates how to operate it. I thought about making some type of unversal icon that looked a little bit like those found on trash cans. Vince suggested that we write "push" in a different language on each panel. What do you guys think?
The interior of the panels and their supports could also utilize the laser cutter to accomodate for some neat things. Instead of relying on people to remember where they got their panel from, maybe we design some kind of graphic correlation between the cushion and the birch panel that sits behind the frame. This could also take several different forms, all of which (so far) involve the laser cutter as well.
1. We could number the panels and the cushions, so that cushion #1 would (ideally) be placed in opening #1. These numbers could be pretty large, enough to add interest to the fabric itself (which would have the outline of a large number in the center of it).
2. We could get 20 or so students (former/future students in the program?) to make some kind of simple design/line drawing, scan it into the computer and etch it into each panel. There would be the same 1:1 relationship here as there is with the numbered system, with drawings on the panels and in the frame being matched up to find the panels "correct" position.
3. Same deal, but with lines from famous poems to be matched with their authors. This makes the panels into a sort of educational device, as well as something to sit on.
I'm not sure how clear that all was, and don't have too much time right now, so I'll upload some sketches this evening. For now, what do you guys think? Should the panels have a "correct" position in the first place?
The panels need to have a pretty precise fit and, for reasons of saftey and durability, should also probably had rounded corners. As much fun as that would be to do 20 times w/ a jigsaw, it would probably be easier to laser cut them (like the model, but less frustrating). This means a couple of things. We could etch a computer engraved icon in each panel that indicates how to operate it. I thought about making some type of unversal icon that looked a little bit like those found on trash cans. Vince suggested that we write "push" in a different language on each panel. What do you guys think?
The interior of the panels and their supports could also utilize the laser cutter to accomodate for some neat things. Instead of relying on people to remember where they got their panel from, maybe we design some kind of graphic correlation between the cushion and the birch panel that sits behind the frame. This could also take several different forms, all of which (so far) involve the laser cutter as well.
1. We could number the panels and the cushions, so that cushion #1 would (ideally) be placed in opening #1. These numbers could be pretty large, enough to add interest to the fabric itself (which would have the outline of a large number in the center of it).
2. We could get 20 or so students (former/future students in the program?) to make some kind of simple design/line drawing, scan it into the computer and etch it into each panel. There would be the same 1:1 relationship here as there is with the numbered system, with drawings on the panels and in the frame being matched up to find the panels "correct" position.
3. Same deal, but with lines from famous poems to be matched with their authors. This makes the panels into a sort of educational device, as well as something to sit on.
I'm not sure how clear that all was, and don't have too much time right now, so I'll upload some sketches this evening. For now, what do you guys think? Should the panels have a "correct" position in the first place?
Friday, October 26, 2007
Time to Get Wired
Nicolette (aka Electrolette) and I made good progress on the wiring yesterday. Now that we’ve got a better understanding of the RV wiring I’m seriously considering (i.e. proposing) relocating/centralizing the main electrical panels and trickle charger. I’m thinking the main panels and charger should be relocated behind the driver’s seat above the inverter and forward of the generator box. This would put all the electrical stuff in one central location and outside the main classroom space. Another advantage is we wouldn't have to design the seating/work space storage around the electric panels. If possible it could be mounted to the backside (i.e. driver’s side) of the front printer/storage cabinets. Or if we’re building a wall between the driver’s area and the main space it could be mounted on the driver’s side of that wall. Not sure what we’re doing structurally there. Are there any thoughts/concerns about this?
Here is the preliminary list of electrical related design questions. It would be really nice to know the number and locations of electrical outlets so we can remove the old wiring, and place new boxes and wire immediately after getting the rough framing done. I keep thinking it would be nice to "hide" the outlets behind the removable wall sections so that they are only accessible when those panels are removed; but we"ll leave the final decision to the designers. Will we have dedicated outlets for the space heaters? Will these be plug-in heaters that can be placed anywhere or hard wired/fixed placements? Similarly the number and locations of light boxes and switches and projector location/mounts would be good to know by November 1st. Has anyone given any thought to whether the lights are standard 120v fixtures or 12 volt lighting (as the RV original had)? We can support either type.
On the framing side of things I would also propose using metal studs. They are easy to work with, come with pre-cut holes for wiring, and are light weight. As usual this is up for discussion.
What do you think?Thursday, October 25, 2007
Well, I crawled underneath the RV last night, while Yun Pei worked inside installing insulation, to finish measuring the space underneath the vehicle for the ramp. I have all the dimensions I need now and a good idea of what the design looks like in my head so I can draw it up this weekend in finalized version. It would help if I had copies of the file that shows the elevation drawings of the RV since I took some of my measurements off of that surface, so whoever has that (Vince or Zach) could you pass it along via email?
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Monday, October 22, 2007
Chair and Wood
I am currently of the mindset (despite Marco's heroic efforts) that the driver's chair with a good bit of Febreeze, ripping up a few more carpet dregs, and a good reupholstering - could stay in place. Why remove it.??We won't put the second chair back in probably - let's just leave it as is and clean it up a bit....
Also, there is a pile of wood that is good and usable and free and ours in the basement of the Redhouse. I will try to get David Clayton to deliver it to us but need a volunteer or two to lend a hand.
Thanks,
Marion
Can anyone plan on a big work session Wednesday afternoon - not only do we have a press conference the next day - we have work to do - collect wood or begin the insulation which has arrived. If you are working on something else like samples don't come help but otherwise anyone around from say 3-6pm - we could chip in and get some stuff done.
Also, there is a pile of wood that is good and usable and free and ours in the basement of the Redhouse. I will try to get David Clayton to deliver it to us but need a volunteer or two to lend a hand.
Thanks,
Marion
Can anyone plan on a big work session Wednesday afternoon - not only do we have a press conference the next day - we have work to do - collect wood or begin the insulation which has arrived. If you are working on something else like samples don't come help but otherwise anyone around from say 3-6pm - we could chip in and get some stuff done.
Press Release
Our press release appeared today, going out on the Syracuse University NEWS circuit.
Check it out here:
Official M-LAB Press Release
Check it out here:
Official M-LAB Press Release
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Just a suggestion about another place to start looking for salvaged/reclaimed lumber. The Building Materials Reuse Association (non-profit educational organization whose mission is to facilitate building deconstruction and the reuse/recycling of recovered building materials) has a directory on their website with a listing by state of companies that resell old building materials.
The listing for NY is quite lengthy with most sellers based in NYC, not upstate. But there are a few local companies listed. Note: not all the companies listed sell lumber, so we'd have to ask specifics over email or phone.
I haven't made any calls yet; since I know other people have been working on it. I just thought I'd post this in case our other sources for wood didn't work out.
Sunday Update
Today I harassed Marco about the chair.
And offered to help him if possible.
Will call about Wood later in the week
after meeting with Marion on Tuesday.
And plan on doing some awesome RV
baking on Tuesday or Wednesday.
And now back to my 10 page paper.
And offered to help him if possible.
Will call about Wood later in the week
after meeting with Marion on Tuesday.
And plan on doing some awesome RV
baking on Tuesday or Wednesday.
And now back to my 10 page paper.
RV Access
Vince and I met this morning at the RV and discussed possible solutions for the ramp's location, structure, and functioning. We've decided to modify the existing storage under the RV into a foldable ramp which I'm planning on sketching out the design solutions for before Thursday. In the next few days I will be going down to the RV and measuring some of the spaces under the bus to work out the design more clearly so I can have the sketches to show how this ramp will be working!
Friday, October 19, 2007
walls!
As expected:
The 10x10 porcelain steel (magnetic dry erase board) sample arrived today.
It bends!
and it comes with a reliable adhesive backing.
Lighting will effect its color dramatically.
As unexpected:
So I called the manufacturer again today to follow up on some questions and spoke with a different tech person. Turns out we cant just layout a template on a 4x8 sheet and have it cut. Seeing as two people at the company told me two different things, I asked to speak with a third person and figured out what was going on. There is an incredible story of inefficiency and waste that I can share at a later date about why this is the case; it involves a very very large pile of scrap porcelain steel sheets in Temple Texas and maybe another sculpture/design project. The good news however, is that we can supposedly cut the stuff ourselves with the metal sheet shearer in our shop. We should test cut this thing tomorrow, Saturday. I could figure out how to use the machine, but does anyone already know how? Or can we contact Ron? Any suggestions.. call me.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Tomorrows Guests
So I quickly found out when calling up Joe-Schmoe for estimates on an RV paint job, that theres only so much an over the phone consultation can do. So we're having guests tomorrow, two exactly and they're coming between 1:30 and 6pm. I'm going to call Jeff during the day to find out when and will probably do the same for Dave.
The reason why we're having guests is that paint shops need to see the vehicle. I got a helpful answer from the last person I spoke with. When we ask for a price estimate, they want to have all the details... much like certain architecture students that I know :) ! So that means, asking questions like, well how many windows does it have? or how many colors do you want to use? or what colors do you want to use because higher tint = higher price. And many others.
Let me just set the scene for you all, here I am with my high pitched girl voice trying to remember the term "paint job" among other things and saying "Hi I have a 30' Holiday Rambler RV from the mid 80's and I was wondering if you could give me an estimate for how much it would cost to have it repainted?" This I assure you was hilarious and I myself had to take breaks to laugh about it.
The response I got ranged from, my favorite "Whoa! I don't even know how much it would cost. I mean it would be thousands. I could tell you about a car hood but an RV I mean I can't even imagine. We'd have to charge by the foot!" to the more critical "well, how many windows..." guy. Out of the dozen places I contacted locally, I received several no's and ultimately four good leads. The rough estimate given to me was 4-5,000 or 3,500-4,500 by two different sources. This demonstrates some consistency within the field. Two of the four serious places have handled RVs before, two have not. Two have worked previously with SU. So thats the update!
We'll find out more tomorrow!
The reason why we're having guests is that paint shops need to see the vehicle. I got a helpful answer from the last person I spoke with. When we ask for a price estimate, they want to have all the details... much like certain architecture students that I know :) ! So that means, asking questions like, well how many windows does it have? or how many colors do you want to use? or what colors do you want to use because higher tint = higher price. And many others.
Let me just set the scene for you all, here I am with my high pitched girl voice trying to remember the term "paint job" among other things and saying "Hi I have a 30' Holiday Rambler RV from the mid 80's and I was wondering if you could give me an estimate for how much it would cost to have it repainted?" This I assure you was hilarious and I myself had to take breaks to laugh about it.
The response I got ranged from, my favorite "Whoa! I don't even know how much it would cost. I mean it would be thousands. I could tell you about a car hood but an RV I mean I can't even imagine. We'd have to charge by the foot!" to the more critical "well, how many windows..." guy. Out of the dozen places I contacted locally, I received several no's and ultimately four good leads. The rough estimate given to me was 4-5,000 or 3,500-4,500 by two different sources. This demonstrates some consistency within the field. Two of the four serious places have handled RVs before, two have not. Two have worked previously with SU. So thats the update!
We'll find out more tomorrow!
October 17 Class Agenda
October 17, 2007
Social Sculpture
Instructor: Marion Wilson
CLASS AGENDA
1:30 *Review of Leading Design Concepts, materials and formal elements – Zack Vince Jessica Marion(five minutes)
1:45-5pm Break into small working groups
a. laying subfloor and prepping vehicle
David, Marco, Nicolette, Samantha, Yun Pei
b. recycled wood: Zack, Jessica, Marion
c. remaining design issues: walls, windows, exterior, lighting: Julia, Vince, Roslyn, Arjan
d. grants website budget Vince, Arjan Marion
5:00-5:45 Design Meeting (whole class) 5 minutes per item maximum
*Miwon Kwon article review (led by Samantha Harmon - ok she gets 10minutes)
*Update on floor sample and recycled wood– Zack and Jessica
* Presentation of cushion sample - Samantha
*exterior treatments - Roslyn
* accessibility – Nicolette
* Prep – Yun Pei and David
* wall treatment and windows– Julia, Zack
*dates to remember – Senator Valesky/POMCO, Mary Jane Jane Jacobs, Chancellor
5:45-6:00 Work Plan for the Week – who is doing what?
Prepare for Press Preview October 25th
Second meeting time or small groups model?
Social Sculpture
Instructor: Marion Wilson
CLASS AGENDA
1:30 *Review of Leading Design Concepts, materials and formal elements – Zack Vince Jessica Marion(five minutes)
1:45-5pm Break into small working groups
a. laying subfloor and prepping vehicle
David, Marco, Nicolette, Samantha, Yun Pei
b. recycled wood: Zack, Jessica, Marion
c. remaining design issues: walls, windows, exterior, lighting: Julia, Vince, Roslyn, Arjan
d. grants website budget Vince, Arjan Marion
5:00-5:45 Design Meeting (whole class) 5 minutes per item maximum
*Miwon Kwon article review (led by Samantha Harmon - ok she gets 10minutes)
*Update on floor sample and recycled wood– Zack and Jessica
* Presentation of cushion sample - Samantha
*exterior treatments - Roslyn
* accessibility – Nicolette
* Prep – Yun Pei and David
* wall treatment and windows– Julia, Zack
*dates to remember – Senator Valesky/POMCO, Mary Jane Jane Jacobs, Chancellor
5:45-6:00 Work Plan for the Week – who is doing what?
Prepare for Press Preview October 25th
Second meeting time or small groups model?
Monday, October 15, 2007
The LIminal Rambler: The Stairs are In
Some concrete progress today thanks to all! The stairs are up; the roof leak is fixed; the press release is written; the sub-floor is ready to be laid; we are actively searching for wood and have a lead with the school district.
Look for the class agenda on Wednesday and send me anything you want added. It will be an all hands on deck day in the RV - with a design meeting at the end of the day.
Love all of your quotes very inspiring!!
Marion
Look for the class agenda on Wednesday and send me anything you want added. It will be an all hands on deck day in the RV - with a design meeting at the end of the day.
Love all of your quotes very inspiring!!
Marion
MLAB thoughts
First I'll begin with an update... I've begun working on some ideas for creating accessibility in the MLAB project. As for a quote for the press release, one can be gleaned out of the response to this question,"How does this class relate to your personal practice?"
The MLAB project is unique and there are many facets to the process of creating MLAB that are teaching us all a bit more about interdisciplinary design and the benefits of creating the bus. Not only are we working across the boundaries of different disciplines but this is also a project aimed at giving something back to the city of Syracuse in the form of a mobile arts bus and creative photography and writing course. In my personal practice I am very interested in the concept of social sculpture and creating intersections between different forms of design practice and user groups. I believe that all of the arts (including architecture) should strive to serve those members of the community who need it most. We've identified a need with MLAB for more space in the area schools and the project is providing this along with an enriching alternative learning space for the students. It's providing us, as a team of Syracuse University students, with the valuable experience of working with designers who may hold diverse interests and we are learning the value of creating community and teamwork, not only in our close knit design team, but throughout the larger Syracuse area and between the city and University. More closely aligned with my current projects in architecture I also have an interest in pushing the idea of accessibility for all students through the design of the RV.
The MLAB project is unique and there are many facets to the process of creating MLAB that are teaching us all a bit more about interdisciplinary design and the benefits of creating the bus. Not only are we working across the boundaries of different disciplines but this is also a project aimed at giving something back to the city of Syracuse in the form of a mobile arts bus and creative photography and writing course. In my personal practice I am very interested in the concept of social sculpture and creating intersections between different forms of design practice and user groups. I believe that all of the arts (including architecture) should strive to serve those members of the community who need it most. We've identified a need with MLAB for more space in the area schools and the project is providing this along with an enriching alternative learning space for the students. It's providing us, as a team of Syracuse University students, with the valuable experience of working with designers who may hold diverse interests and we are learning the value of creating community and teamwork, not only in our close knit design team, but throughout the larger Syracuse area and between the city and University. More closely aligned with my current projects in architecture I also have an interest in pushing the idea of accessibility for all students through the design of the RV.
postcards ordered
Just an update for the curious: We ordered another round of 500 postcards from ModernPostcards. We have taken the cheap route this time, w/ 4 day processing and 2 day delivery, so that means the cards won’t be ready for Thursday’s class; but they should be arriving at Marion’s doorstep early next week – ready to be handed out at the following class.
Also, my A to the Q: As I am still defining my own personal practice, I see m-lab (and involvement in other community partnership design/builds) as a means to ground myself and my work. There is a practicality to architecture that should be in parallel to the creative act of designing. In designing and building a space that responds to a community’s need by altering our concept of a “classroom”, a “RV” and even a course curriculum; m-lab embodies this parallel.
Also, my A to the Q: As I am still defining my own personal practice, I see m-lab (and involvement in other community partnership design/builds) as a means to ground myself and my work. There is a practicality to architecture that should be in parallel to the creative act of designing. In designing and building a space that responds to a community’s need by altering our concept of a “classroom”, a “RV” and even a course curriculum; m-lab embodies this parallel.
Several thoughts from Luna.
Visual update: the postcards that I picked up from the school look smashing. I'll add some photos in a bit. I have one more on the way, it was evidently stolen from the teacher's desk drawer for its creative pull. However, we're having a print made of it. Such artists!
On the homework/homefront: Will be calling about painting the bus & prices later today as I find the phone book or check online. As for the press packet, I'm having an excellent time brainstorming the possibilities. I have great quotes from the teachers involved on both the SU and Henniger sides. I also have photos from the last semester of work that I can include as "selected images". My cat is lying on the rest of my list, but I assure that it is sound and exciting. Had to move the cat anyways, the rest of the list includes referencing the Chancellor's speech that includes remarks about the Literacy through Photography program. She actually references the program in several but look for our Mikey in this one!
A Reflection of personal experience of public art and private life: First of all, I honestly believe that art should be a part of daily life. Too often art is put up on a pedestal, seen as something based on economic class standing etc, not something that serves a necessary purpose in society. Art is necessary. I am attracted to it because it makes me feel and my goal as an individual is to share this passion that I have for art with others. I've been reading Dewey's Art as Experience and he has it right; art is not solely the object, it is an interaction, an experience, a form of communication, between art as the object and the viewer. Sure this makes all things seem like art, but in some ways, aren't they?
My passion within the field is the role of the communicator, the megaphone that says "hey, look over here, there's a new gallery opening, its feaking awesome, you should come and see it." Its hard sometimes because people have different artistic experiences, my passion for one object is easily not shared by someone else. This makes the topic of public art a realm where not everybody is always satisfied and thats okay as long as people understand the role that art plays in society. A method of intense, semi-spiritual, personal enjoyment. A way of presenting social, political and other needs in an aesthetic manner. Human expression and communication within the visual field. That stuff shouldn't be bottled up under a private life heading. My goal is to breakdown this barrier and make art accessible to all. To encourage engagement within the arts, be it through education, creation, investment or other form of participation.
On the homework/homefront: Will be calling about painting the bus & prices later today as I find the phone book or check online. As for the press packet, I'm having an excellent time brainstorming the possibilities. I have great quotes from the teachers involved on both the SU and Henniger sides. I also have photos from the last semester of work that I can include as "selected images". My cat is lying on the rest of my list, but I assure that it is sound and exciting. Had to move the cat anyways, the rest of the list includes referencing the Chancellor's speech that includes remarks about the Literacy through Photography program. She actually references the program in several but look for our Mikey in this one!
A Reflection of personal experience of public art and private life: First of all, I honestly believe that art should be a part of daily life. Too often art is put up on a pedestal, seen as something based on economic class standing etc, not something that serves a necessary purpose in society. Art is necessary. I am attracted to it because it makes me feel and my goal as an individual is to share this passion that I have for art with others. I've been reading Dewey's Art as Experience and he has it right; art is not solely the object, it is an interaction, an experience, a form of communication, between art as the object and the viewer. Sure this makes all things seem like art, but in some ways, aren't they?
My passion within the field is the role of the communicator, the megaphone that says "hey, look over here, there's a new gallery opening, its feaking awesome, you should come and see it." Its hard sometimes because people have different artistic experiences, my passion for one object is easily not shared by someone else. This makes the topic of public art a realm where not everybody is always satisfied and thats okay as long as people understand the role that art plays in society. A method of intense, semi-spiritual, personal enjoyment. A way of presenting social, political and other needs in an aesthetic manner. Human expression and communication within the visual field. That stuff shouldn't be bottled up under a private life heading. My goal is to breakdown this barrier and make art accessible to all. To encourage engagement within the arts, be it through education, creation, investment or other form of participation.
Liminal Rambler
When one considers recreational vehicles there is a fascinating multitude of designs, configurations, and equipment. Some are sleek aerodynamic glittering aluminum containers that epitomize corporate high technology and proclaim wealth. While others are rough homemade inbred affairs with things bolted on every which way and proclaim self sufficiency, a transient existence, and self sufficiency.
RVs are paradoxical. RV’s are all about traveling to new places and experiences while being able to bring all the comforts and conveniences of the places you’re escaping from. It’s about going on a journey while transporting your place intact. RVs represent a mobile form of a stable environment. They are a reflection of an itinerant culture’s reluctant to abandon its comforts and technology. The RV facilitates transportation and the crossing over into new frontiers while providing a space and the technology the traveler assumes will be absent without the vehicle. It is a product of technological change while being a vessel of permanence.
In our project we desire to create a space, facilitate experience, and transport students out of the mundane vulgar educational environments and into a world in which they can create and spiritually travel.
what i learn from M-lab
I guess i was never sure what kind of Design i am interesting in. This class do makes me think. The collaboration learning enviorment push me to think of what each indivisual artist are. so, When i think of my studio practice. i was some what confused about our program in my major, focuse on techology, and mass production so much, sometime we forget the art and craft in the culture. It doens't really sounds like relating to anything we do in Social sculpture class, but i think the idea of use the city, and culture, and each of us are all special desingers in different filed in one big team to preactice our art has lead me to think of what i want for being my way of desinger. what belifs i need ot hold on to for my own practice.
somepeople would say the beautiful ID design is just trendy, and it's not desgin.
But i think it's not trendy, yet it's still design, still art.
---i am not sure if i make any sense, but..... still.
yunpei
somepeople would say the beautiful ID design is just trendy, and it's not desgin.
But i think it's not trendy, yet it's still design, still art.
---i am not sure if i make any sense, but..... still.
yunpei
more student quotes
"MLab is a portable classroom that doubles in function to add temporary additional space to the local schools but also to provide students with a place of learning that inspires creativity. Our design allows for students to inhabit the bus as if it was their own individualized workspace. The "classroom" emphasizes imagination and individual growth which is also encouraged by the Literacy through Photography program that will housed within this unique setting."
Roslyn Esperon '08
Sunday, October 14, 2007
The A to the Q
Q: "How does this class relate to your personal practice?"
Sam Harmon's A:
When I think about my studio practice, I'm not very interested in creating art that I think is apart from our daily visual culture. Rather, I highlight and employ the visuals and materials that exist in my/our everyday, creating subtle foreignness among the genre painting of life. I'd like to do at least make a blip in the brain waves, and at most, unlocking a little discursive door into each human's personal narnia that they can visit once a lifetime or once a day. Art is everything and nothing to me, and the things I do are manifestations of how I see and think.
SO, the m-lab project I don't separate from my studio practice entirely. The m-lab - a raised bump on the skin of what we understand as everyday reality is on the same face as my other projects. The major difference is the collaborative means to the end. I see parallels in terms of altering something that exists (in terms of the RV and the existing curriculum) rather than creating something from scratch. The RV is a nontraditional art material, provoking us to see a number of things differently- including the RV, the classroom, and "sculpture," which are things I think about in my own work as well.
I could write a book, and I will, someday.
Love, Sam
On Liminality
Did some research on liminality (yes David it is a word!) and found this (below)which I think relates to our goals and process of making MLAB. The bus is/will be a point of entry - this in between space - neither here nor there - as it is both attached to the school and separate from the school. And when the students enter this suspended zone, the mlab space- they will feel suspended from the daily grind/activities or rituals of typical school life - hopefully freeing them up to be creative, see the world differently- and return to their traditional society a changed person. Robert Rauchenberg said his work operated in the gaps between art and life - liminality. Liminlaity is about both separateness and connectedness - a moment of suspended norms and boundaries -also a way of thinking about our collaborative process in class; we are both teacher - student - and design collaborators, individuals and a collective team. Read on...
"The liminal state is characterized by ambiguity, openness, and indeterminacy. One's sense of identity dissolves to some extent, bringing about disorientation. Liminality is a period of transition where normal limits to thought, self-understanding, and behavior are relaxed - a situation which can lead to new perspectives. During the liminal stage, the between stage, one's status becomes ambiguous; one is "neither here nor there," one is "betwixt and between all fixed points of classification," and thus the form and rules of both his earlier state and his state-to-come are suspended. For the moment, one is an outsider; one is on the margins, in an indeterminate state. Turner is fascinated by this marginality, this zone of indeterminacy. He argues that it is from the standpoint of this marginal zone that the great artists, writers, and social critics have been able to look past the social forms in order to see society from the outside and to bring in a message from beyond it. "Victor Turner, Universtiy of Chicago
"The liminal state is characterized by ambiguity, openness, and indeterminacy. One's sense of identity dissolves to some extent, bringing about disorientation. Liminality is a period of transition where normal limits to thought, self-understanding, and behavior are relaxed - a situation which can lead to new perspectives. During the liminal stage, the between stage, one's status becomes ambiguous; one is "neither here nor there," one is "betwixt and between all fixed points of classification," and thus the form and rules of both his earlier state and his state-to-come are suspended. For the moment, one is an outsider; one is on the margins, in an indeterminate state. Turner is fascinated by this marginality, this zone of indeterminacy. He argues that it is from the standpoint of this marginal zone that the great artists, writers, and social critics have been able to look past the social forms in order to see society from the outside and to bring in a message from beyond it. "Victor Turner, Universtiy of Chicago
Social Sculpture students write about MLAB project
Social Sculpture Student Quotes
"learning from classmates, working as a creative team, building not
just a bus, but a relationship between society and people is what i
see this class is about. And, it's what i think art should be
about".---YunPei Hsiung, CVPA 09
“We are realizing the rhetoric of innovative community action that is inseparable from institutions of higher learning. Unfortunately, I don't think that this is done enough, which makes what we are doing really special. We have identified a community need, and through teamwork, creativity, and hard work, we are not only going to create a beautiful and monumental living piece of artwork, but a functional space that will benefit our community and most importantly, our community of tomorrow.” -Jessica Posner Newhouse & CVPA, 08
"There is this mythic and often elusive ideal of interdisciplinary design in the various colleges, especially the design schools, at Syracuse University and we are now part of the model for how collaborative cross-discipline design can work in real time with a real project, alleviating very real problems for people in our community. What makes this project so big is that the fundamental need for space in schools and a more effective program for teaching linguistic literacy is not unique to our community here in Syracuse; but we are working on a prototype that is going to be reproducible across the country." -Vincent Appel MLab, SOA, 08
“This class is about stepping outside of the me- based realm of studio practice into the us/he/she/they/we space of a collaborative community project, where instead of an abstract notion of ‘audience,’ we have a very tangible group of people who we must consider, engage, and sustain on a number of levels.” -Samantha Harmon, CVPA, sculpture major, 09
"The beauty of the m-lab project is that through a collaborative design process we can directly address the issues outside our college classroom, but within our own community."
Julia Dalton, SOA 08
"learning from classmates, working as a creative team, building not
just a bus, but a relationship between society and people is what i
see this class is about. And, it's what i think art should be
about".---YunPei Hsiung, CVPA 09
“We are realizing the rhetoric of innovative community action that is inseparable from institutions of higher learning. Unfortunately, I don't think that this is done enough, which makes what we are doing really special. We have identified a community need, and through teamwork, creativity, and hard work, we are not only going to create a beautiful and monumental living piece of artwork, but a functional space that will benefit our community and most importantly, our community of tomorrow.” -Jessica Posner Newhouse & CVPA, 08
"There is this mythic and often elusive ideal of interdisciplinary design in the various colleges, especially the design schools, at Syracuse University and we are now part of the model for how collaborative cross-discipline design can work in real time with a real project, alleviating very real problems for people in our community. What makes this project so big is that the fundamental need for space in schools and a more effective program for teaching linguistic literacy is not unique to our community here in Syracuse; but we are working on a prototype that is going to be reproducible across the country." -Vincent Appel MLab, SOA, 08
“This class is about stepping outside of the me- based realm of studio practice into the us/he/she/they/we space of a collaborative community project, where instead of an abstract notion of ‘audience,’ we have a very tangible group of people who we must consider, engage, and sustain on a number of levels.” -Samantha Harmon, CVPA, sculpture major, 09
"The beauty of the m-lab project is that through a collaborative design process we can directly address the issues outside our college classroom, but within our own community."
Julia Dalton, SOA 08
Saturday, October 13, 2007
M-Lab on facebook!
M-Lab now has a Facebook account! The Facebook name is "M-Lab Syracuse." Check your emails for the password and login info.
I used Zach's photoshop image of the bus up by the quarry as our picture... but that could of course change.
The only other info I put on the page was our blog address.
I dont think this will function like the blog really, but I think this is a great way to help give the bus an identity. Kind of like what Yun was proposing... the high school students could definitely "Friend" us, well the bus anyway, on Facebook.
[Thanks Facebook for affording us this virtual anthropomorphism!]
I used Zach's photoshop image of the bus up by the quarry as our picture... but that could of course change.
The only other info I put on the page was our blog address.
I dont think this will function like the blog really, but I think this is a great way to help give the bus an identity. Kind of like what Yun was proposing... the high school students could definitely "Friend" us, well the bus anyway, on Facebook.
[Thanks Facebook for affording us this virtual anthropomorphism!]
gmail account and website
In terms of email address - I love it - in terms of the date rather than the date of when the idea of MLAB was conceived, how about if the date was the the age of the vehicle - in that way if there were more mlabs to come - the date could always be the age of the vehicle - similiar to your idea of no repeat with Syracuse in the address.
Also I think we can draw a collective mission statement that we will need for the website from the individual quotes. Please keep sending them to my email address.
Thanks,
Marion
Also I think we can draw a collective mission statement that we will need for the website from the individual quotes. Please keep sending them to my email address.
Thanks,
Marion
Friday, October 12, 2007
@gmail.com!
Check your emails! In trying to set up a Facebook account I realized that we needed an email address. So, I created a Gmail account for us. I am leaving the address itself off of this post to avoid confusion in case it isn't the name we go with. Let me know what you think.
If we did add anything to the postcard, I would suggest our email address.
If we did add anything to the postcard, I would suggest our email address.
Round 2, Postcards
I know Marion talked about this a bit in class, but I didn't get any specific feedback . . . Do we want to order a second round of postcards??
and if so, how many . . . 250, 500?
and should there be a change to the design? I.e. should our names be included somewhere? Also, should the x be removed from the front? (I've talked to a # people, confused about what this means)
Finally, are we planning on keeping a scanned record of the postcards (idea being used for the website)??
Feedback would be a plus, lemme know what you think.
and if so, how many . . . 250, 500?
and should there be a change to the design? I.e. should our names be included somewhere? Also, should the x be removed from the front? (I've talked to a # people, confused about what this means)
Finally, are we planning on keeping a scanned record of the postcards (idea being used for the website)??
Feedback would be a plus, lemme know what you think.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
RV Spotting
At approximately 5:10 pm today, Wednesday, October 10th, one male of approximately 5' 10" by the name of David Harris was spotted at the RV. He was wearing a white t-shirt and appeared to be working on the RV. No harm was done to the vehicle and no other witnesses were available for comment.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Pillow Talk
This is Sam writing.
On Tuesday Marion and I met with Stephanie Liner (professor of sculpture/artist/upholsterer/human), who showed us some upholstering solutions, but quickly we came to realize cushions would be more practical as they are easier to clean and move about a space. She is willing to give us cushion tutorials if we cannot navigate our way through the milky seas of pleasurefully plastic-ey fabric we have.
We journeyed to Joann Fabrics where we chose a kind of table cloth/vinyl white material for the cushion prototypes. It's surface is water resistant and can be wiped down for cleaning.
In terms of color, this of course is up to discussion, but I was drawn to white for its bright freshy freshness. In order to make unique each pillow, possibly rendering a little identity for each within a cohesive aesthetic could easily be attained through incorporating different colors and textures in splashes and blips on the neutral white. Lots o possibilities.
Something tactile, pleasing, comfortable, flexible, visually interesting, probably simple.
There are a many number of ways to approach making the pillow---we have densified batting rectangles that are 3-4 inches thick ( 17"x15"x3" and 22x22x4) that are precut as individual shapes that act as the pillow form-- no stuffing involved.
I say no zippers. Zippers are treacherous territory of snags and frustration.
Flaps, velcro, buttons, ties, grommets, OR not a case at all--but a sewed up enclosure seem to be the way to go. If the surface is to be wiped down for cleaning then perhaps we need not to have the fibrous innards removable.
October 10 Class Agenda
October 10, 2007
Social Sculpture
Instructor: Marion Wilson
CLASS AGENDA
1:30 Photograph of class in front of RV by Development:Incite/Insights
2:00 Design Meeting (guest: Jo Thomas)
*Review of Leading Design Concepts and formal elements - Marion
*Presentation of Drawings -Vince, Zack, Yun-Pei
*Materials
a. re-usable materials/wood flooring – Jessica
aa. scrapile – Zack
b. wall samples/paint samples – Julia
c. cushions - Sam
d. flooring – Roslyn
e. accessibility – Nicolette
f. demolition – Marco/David
*Miscellaneous –
a. postcards – Julia, Nicolette
b. fundraising – Marion, Arjan – need a volunteer
c. dates to remember – Senator Valesky/POMCO, Mary Jane Jane Jacobs
d. contacts for Sara Mortimer - Jessica, Yun Pei, Vince
3:00 Fabrication demonstration and discussion of floor repair - David
3:30 Divide Class/Working Session
a. finalize design - group 1
b. repair floor, construct steps, purchase materials- group 2
c. create work plan for fabrication – group 1
5:45 Whole Group Meeting
a. approve final design
b. approve work plan
c. Project date for a fabrication CHARETTE
For next week:
Submit budgets, maintain blog, purchase materials, WORK PLAN.
List of who is doing what.
Social Sculpture
Instructor: Marion Wilson
CLASS AGENDA
1:30 Photograph of class in front of RV by Development:Incite/Insights
2:00 Design Meeting (guest: Jo Thomas)
*Review of Leading Design Concepts and formal elements - Marion
*Presentation of Drawings -Vince, Zack, Yun-Pei
*Materials
a. re-usable materials/wood flooring – Jessica
aa. scrapile – Zack
b. wall samples/paint samples – Julia
c. cushions - Sam
d. flooring – Roslyn
e. accessibility – Nicolette
f. demolition – Marco/David
*Miscellaneous –
a. postcards – Julia, Nicolette
b. fundraising – Marion, Arjan – need a volunteer
c. dates to remember – Senator Valesky/POMCO, Mary Jane Jane Jacobs
d. contacts for Sara Mortimer - Jessica, Yun Pei, Vince
3:00 Fabrication demonstration and discussion of floor repair - David
3:30 Divide Class/Working Session
a. finalize design - group 1
b. repair floor, construct steps, purchase materials- group 2
c. create work plan for fabrication – group 1
5:45 Whole Group Meeting
a. approve final design
b. approve work plan
c. Project date for a fabrication CHARETTE
For next week:
Submit budgets, maintain blog, purchase materials, WORK PLAN.
List of who is doing what.
I spoke with Steve regarding the possibility of using scraps for the stairs and he wondered if we could possibly use some of Arjan's materials to make the steps tomorrow? With Arjan's permission of course, we could have the steps completed rather quickly if Marco and I worked on them just during classtime. Another option, if Arjan needs his materials, we would have to buy our own sheets of plywood and cut and construct the stairs this weekend or before next week or buy Arjan a new sheet of plywood. Either way we have to ask Arjan and find out about this tomorrow during class time so we can get these things finished. I stopped in at the bus and Marco hasn't yet gotten the driver's seat out of there so I haven't been able to strip that side of the RV.
On a side note, there will be an interesting presentation on October 15th at 4pm in Gifford Auditorium regarding ideas surrounding disability. Jonathan Mooney apparently took a short bus and travelled the country talking to and recording the stories of members of the disability community. Just thought that some of you might be interested in this intersection of transportation and this issue because it can certainly relate pretty strongly to the M-LAB project. Following the presentation by Mr. Mooney there will be a lecture and discussion at 7PM in Watson Theater and a series of film shorts. Look for posters around campus if you are interested or contact me for more details!
See you all tomorrow in class!
On a side note, there will be an interesting presentation on October 15th at 4pm in Gifford Auditorium regarding ideas surrounding disability. Jonathan Mooney apparently took a short bus and travelled the country talking to and recording the stories of members of the disability community. Just thought that some of you might be interested in this intersection of transportation and this issue because it can certainly relate pretty strongly to the M-LAB project. Following the presentation by Mr. Mooney there will be a lecture and discussion at 7PM in Watson Theater and a series of film shorts. Look for posters around campus if you are interested or contact me for more details!
See you all tomorrow in class!
On the Quest for Reclaimed Materials
Given the interest our team has had in the potential for using reclaimed materials in our construction, I took the liberty to make some calls around campus to get information on how to find this stuff. I know it's possible-- my landlord floored my house in old SU gym flooring!
So I got to calling. I began with Physical Plant, who referred me to Recreational Services and Excess Property. From there, I was referred back to everyone I'd just talked to, and then was put into contact with Design and Construction. At Design and Construction, I spoke with Mary Kendrat who suggested I put everything in an email and send it to a Ms. Carol Melendez (who was in a meeting), the secretary/administrative assistant to the Director of Design and Construction. So I did this. According to Ms. Kendrat, Ms. Melendez would get the email to the right people to help us find what we needed. We're just waiting on her response.
Here's the mail:
Dear Ms. Melendez,
Hello, my name is Jessica Posner. I am a senior Sculpture and
Television, Radio and Film major at Syracuse University, and I'm
emailing to enquire about acquiring reclaimed materials for a
community project that I'm currently a part of. Mary Kendrat gave
me your email address, saying you where the exact woman to get in
touch with as you know the avenues of information and would be able
to connect me with the information and people I need.
First, I'll tell you about our project:
As part of a Social Sculpture course through the College of Visual
and Performing Arts, a combined class of Architecture and Art
students are currently working to transform a used 30' RV into a
Mobile Literacy Arts Bus (M-Lab) for use by the Syracuse City School
District and the greater Syracuse Community. Thus far, we have a
acquired and gutted the RV. We are currently in the design stage, but
will very shortly begin with our construction. As a team, we are very
interested in Green design and construction, and would very much like
to use reclaimed materials in the construction of furniture and
interior for the bus. We are particularly interested in wood-- like
old gym flooring-- but would be interested in hearing more on any
other materials to which you have access/information. This interior
will serve as classroom, digital lab, community space, and gallery.
As a team, we think it is very important to work in an
environmentally conscious and responsible way-- which is why I've
contacted you about finding and acquiring reclaimed materials.
Furthermore, in using reclaimed materials from the University, we
believe that we will be contributing to the legacy and relationship
of SU out into the Syracuse Community-- which is where and whom our
project will be serving.
Furthermore, we are on a tight budget and tight time frame, so any
help you could offer would be much appreciated.
If you could please help provide me with information as to who to
contact or how to find and acquire reclaimed materials for use by my
team in our efforts to transform an old RV into an exciting Mobile
Literacy and Arts Bus, we would very much appreciate it.
Please contact me with any questions, concerns, or information. Also,
visit our blog at http://mobileliteracyartsbus.blogspot.com to see
our team in action.
Thank you,
Jessica Posner
jlposner@syr.edu
If anyone else has any sort of leads on acquiring stuff, let's get on it!
Found some free barnwood on craigslist in Hannibal, NY id we're interested...
Also, some other interesting stuff for sale on craiglslist under "materials."
So I got to calling. I began with Physical Plant, who referred me to Recreational Services and Excess Property. From there, I was referred back to everyone I'd just talked to, and then was put into contact with Design and Construction. At Design and Construction, I spoke with Mary Kendrat who suggested I put everything in an email and send it to a Ms. Carol Melendez (who was in a meeting), the secretary/administrative assistant to the Director of Design and Construction. So I did this. According to Ms. Kendrat, Ms. Melendez would get the email to the right people to help us find what we needed. We're just waiting on her response.
Here's the mail:
Dear Ms. Melendez,
Hello, my name is Jessica Posner. I am a senior Sculpture and
Television, Radio and Film major at Syracuse University, and I'm
emailing to enquire about acquiring reclaimed materials for a
community project that I'm currently a part of. Mary Kendrat gave
me your email address, saying you where the exact woman to get in
touch with as you know the avenues of information and would be able
to connect me with the information and people I need.
First, I'll tell you about our project:
As part of a Social Sculpture course through the College of Visual
and Performing Arts, a combined class of Architecture and Art
students are currently working to transform a used 30' RV into a
Mobile Literacy Arts Bus (M-Lab) for use by the Syracuse City School
District and the greater Syracuse Community. Thus far, we have a
acquired and gutted the RV. We are currently in the design stage, but
will very shortly begin with our construction. As a team, we are very
interested in Green design and construction, and would very much like
to use reclaimed materials in the construction of furniture and
interior for the bus. We are particularly interested in wood-- like
old gym flooring-- but would be interested in hearing more on any
other materials to which you have access/information. This interior
will serve as classroom, digital lab, community space, and gallery.
As a team, we think it is very important to work in an
environmentally conscious and responsible way-- which is why I've
contacted you about finding and acquiring reclaimed materials.
Furthermore, in using reclaimed materials from the University, we
believe that we will be contributing to the legacy and relationship
of SU out into the Syracuse Community-- which is where and whom our
project will be serving.
Furthermore, we are on a tight budget and tight time frame, so any
help you could offer would be much appreciated.
If you could please help provide me with information as to who to
contact or how to find and acquire reclaimed materials for use by my
team in our efforts to transform an old RV into an exciting Mobile
Literacy and Arts Bus, we would very much appreciate it.
Please contact me with any questions, concerns, or information. Also,
visit our blog at http://mobileliteracyartsbus.blogspot.com to see
our team in action.
Thank you,
Jessica Posner
jlposner@syr.edu
If anyone else has any sort of leads on acquiring stuff, let's get on it!
Found some free barnwood on craigslist in Hannibal, NY id we're interested...
Also, some other interesting stuff for sale on craiglslist under "materials."
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
EXTREMELY IMPORTANT PHOTO SHOOT
M-Lab is being highlighted in SUs most recent capital campaign drive. They are putting together a swanky brochure and have been checking out our blog for fotos. They want to re-shoot the one of the class in front of the RV on this Thursday promptly at 1:30. Can everyone be there on time for the group photo- David Harris too.
Thanks,
Marion
M-Lab is being highlighted in SUs most recent capital campaign drive. They are putting together a swanky brochure and have been checking out our blog for fotos. They want to re-shoot the one of the class in front of the RV on this Thursday promptly at 1:30. Can everyone be there on time for the group photo- David Harris too.
Thanks,
Marion
Materials!
Like everyone, I am in a scrabble looking for the right materials at the right price. After some online searching and a trip to Home Depot (wow does this sound like an ad right off HGTV?!) I've located some options:
Chalkboard paint! The best deal is at Home Depot: 30 oz. for $11.48. We could also use Targets online store but they are slightly more expensive. We would be able to cover 95-120 square feet with this can. It might be fun to cover the outside of the bus entirely as a chalkboard. The paint can be used on outside surfaces! It would be expensive but cool.
Dry Erase Paint! The best deal is also at Home Depot: 27 oz. for $22.99. It would cover a 7 x 7 sq foot area. However, there is a great site with alternatives to paint itself. The site shows tests from a number of surfaces which we could try out and explains them all in detail.
Now for the off the wall part...flooring.
After speaking with a saleswoman from Home Depot (again with the brand name references!), I came to the conclusion that vinyl may be a good flooring choice. Sure, no one likes the texture and it smells funny on the roll but it also makes for a durable and easily cleanable surface. I've found several (in other words two) top choices.
Roll Vinyl! This vinyl can be cut to a 12'x3o-something' bus length and then cut down to fit within our bus. It ranges in price from $0.88-$1.32 per square foot. Some of the good quality roll vinyl is non-glue but self-adhesive. These are held down with self-adhesive baseboards. Which is the only problem that I see- baseboards are fairly ugly. The vinyl itself comes in a variety ranging from pretty terrible looking to polyurethane covered fake wood. Likewise, based on the vinyl, we can get a 5-15 year warranty for it! That means if someone sticks their pen through the flooring in the center of the bus, we don't have to worry.
TrafficMaster Allure! This is a more up-scale version of the vinyl roll. In the first place, it eliminates the roll. These are 12"x36" panels that are stuck together like overlapping patchwork. This goes for approximately $2.00 per square foot but it may be worth it. There have been great reviews for it and it comes in much nicer looking stone or wood like choices. This form of vinyl is made for endurance but also comes with a 25 year warranty. It also means that we would be able to replace the tile with the pen hole and not the entire surface.
Last but not least lets take a look at the lighting. But be careful, don't stare directly at the bulb.
My lighting search was to find something functional and funky. For both gallery and everyday use. What could be neat would be using a multi-headed lighting fixture that allowed for individual movement of each light. These could be placed centrally and positioned for any use. What I would also suggest is using lighting to create an atmosphere. It would be quite funky and unclassroom like if we could use different lampshade/head things for each light on the multi-headed fixture! So we could do a blue and an orange and a red or a yellow. Something cool that would make this bus seem more of a student's room than a typical classroom. Such lamp heads run approximately $10-15 each.
So there are my thoughts! Also, the last Literacy through Photography class is being held on Monday at 8:00 AM so if you'd like to attend class with me and observe either the lack of windows, how we teach on a regular basis or to expand your own creative writing talents, you're welcome to join up! Today I distributed buscards (aka our postcards) and hopefully next Monday we'll have a whole crop of them to pick up!
Til next time bloggers! Roslyn
Chalkboard paint! The best deal is at Home Depot: 30 oz. for $11.48. We could also use Targets online store but they are slightly more expensive. We would be able to cover 95-120 square feet with this can. It might be fun to cover the outside of the bus entirely as a chalkboard. The paint can be used on outside surfaces! It would be expensive but cool.
Dry Erase Paint! The best deal is also at Home Depot: 27 oz. for $22.99. It would cover a 7 x 7 sq foot area. However, there is a great site with alternatives to paint itself. The site shows tests from a number of surfaces which we could try out and explains them all in detail.
Now for the off the wall part...flooring.
After speaking with a saleswoman from Home Depot (again with the brand name references!), I came to the conclusion that vinyl may be a good flooring choice. Sure, no one likes the texture and it smells funny on the roll but it also makes for a durable and easily cleanable surface. I've found several (in other words two) top choices.
Roll Vinyl! This vinyl can be cut to a 12'x3o-something' bus length and then cut down to fit within our bus. It ranges in price from $0.88-$1.32 per square foot. Some of the good quality roll vinyl is non-glue but self-adhesive. These are held down with self-adhesive baseboards. Which is the only problem that I see- baseboards are fairly ugly. The vinyl itself comes in a variety ranging from pretty terrible looking to polyurethane covered fake wood. Likewise, based on the vinyl, we can get a 5-15 year warranty for it! That means if someone sticks their pen through the flooring in the center of the bus, we don't have to worry.
TrafficMaster Allure! This is a more up-scale version of the vinyl roll. In the first place, it eliminates the roll. These are 12"x36" panels that are stuck together like overlapping patchwork. This goes for approximately $2.00 per square foot but it may be worth it. There have been great reviews for it and it comes in much nicer looking stone or wood like choices. This form of vinyl is made for endurance but also comes with a 25 year warranty. It also means that we would be able to replace the tile with the pen hole and not the entire surface.
Last but not least lets take a look at the lighting. But be careful, don't stare directly at the bulb.
My lighting search was to find something functional and funky. For both gallery and everyday use. What could be neat would be using a multi-headed lighting fixture that allowed for individual movement of each light. These could be placed centrally and positioned for any use. What I would also suggest is using lighting to create an atmosphere. It would be quite funky and unclassroom like if we could use different lampshade/head things for each light on the multi-headed fixture! So we could do a blue and an orange and a red or a yellow. Something cool that would make this bus seem more of a student's room than a typical classroom. Such lamp heads run approximately $10-15 each.
So there are my thoughts! Also, the last Literacy through Photography class is being held on Monday at 8:00 AM so if you'd like to attend class with me and observe either the lack of windows, how we teach on a regular basis or to expand your own creative writing talents, you're welcome to join up! Today I distributed buscards (aka our postcards) and hopefully next Monday we'll have a whole crop of them to pick up!
Til next time bloggers! Roslyn
some more ideas and thoughts for materials . . .
Posted are some pics from a Thom Faulders installation commissioned by the CCA Wattis Institute in San Francisco. He filled the entire gallery w/ a wave of memory foam (stuff used for bike seats, mattresses etc.) and drastically changed the dynamic of the space. Not sure if we'd want push it that far, but I've put in a request for a sample, so we can at least consider it's possibilities.
Also, I've ran around Syracuse this morning and picked up some specialty paints . . . blackboard paint, markerboard paint and high-end graffiti spray paint (like used at FunkNWaffles). I haven't tested any of it yet, but I'll try and have some tested out for Thursday.
I like the Scrapile idea and really enjoy their furniture . . . 4Korners out of brooklyn also uses reclaimed materials for their furniture design. If we were to use this technique for the bus, do we have any specific ideas about where to start collecting scraps?
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