the plankman's blog » art

ENGINE – projects updates

Administrator — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 07:07:24 +0000

I finally made some changes to my project portfolio – its definitely not the overhaul that I need, but its the first update since 2006!!!

Latest project can be seen here:
http://www.plankman.com/projects/engine/

Trespass – the exhibition

Administrator — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 09:19:34 +0000

I am very proud to announce that I am part of a three man exhibition at the Resolution Gallery on Jan Smuts avenue in Joburg. If you’re in Jozi, please join us at the opening on 10 July, from 17:00 onwards. It would be fantastic to see a few friendly faces!

Browse the images on flickr, or below.

art

daniel — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 10:19:54 +0000

I started an email circular called the Art Daily Dispatch -> This naturally was never a DAILY thing … But it gets circulated every so often! If anyone is interested in receiving the direct to your doorstep email with art in it, please let me know. You can email me at myname AT plankman.com.

Alternatively – you could always take a look at it over here: http://art.plankman.com

Other news? Below is a photo of a chandelier installation we just completed. It was originally designed by Dominic Harris while at Jason Bruges Studio, and then I took over the project when he started his own studio.

Its absolutely gorgeous.

100%, Greenpeace, Light Garden

daniel — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 21:45:34 +0000

I recently did a project for 100% Design in Earls Court.
It was a collaboration with Jason Bruges Studio and Greenpeace with the intention of demonstrating that energy efficient CFL bulbs can be used just as effectively as incandescent bulbs. We found a company called Varilight that was about to launch Europe’s first dimmable CFL lamp. This is huge because the main reason consumers chose not to install CFL’s is that they couldn’t be dimmed the same way as their more greedier older brothers – the incandescent bulb. Now there is a CFL replacement that dims very effectively (and in the same fittings too.) We at JBS created an interactive installation called Light Garden which was an island constructed out of a series of penrose tiles that were cut out of a sustainable wood. There were around 220 Dimmable CFL bulbs on the Island, which would respond to people if they touched one of the four info palettes around the garden. I worked closely with Bibi on this one. The end result was that Varilight’s founder Dr. Anthony Doyle walked off with 100% Design’s Innovation award. A very successful project.

Greenpeace’s article about it

Greenpeace’s flickr pictures

Stairs are installed

daniel — Mon, 09 Oct 2006 08:27:12 +0000

People are using them, enjoying them, playing with them – and generally resulting a positive reactions all around. We are like proud dads. More photos will be uploaded when the paris experience slows down to a walking pace.

@ Center Pompidou

daniel — Sat, 30 Sep 2006 10:38:17 +0000

Our project mentioned in previous posts: Tuned Stairs was approved about 2 weeks ago for installation at Center Pompidou for the FABRICA: Les Yeux Ouverts exhibition between 6 October and 6 November 2006.

If anyone reading this is going to be in Paris between now and the 11th, let me know!
Pictures will follow soon…

Tuned Stairs Pompidou Project – or maybe not

daniel — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 08:01:37 +0000

Hansi Raber, Federico Urdaneta, Carlo Zoratti, Andy Cameron & I finished installing the final prototype of our Tuned Stairs project which intends to take the every-day footfalls of visitors to the Pompidou Fabrica Exhibition – and convert them into something of a tinkly musical experience. Read more about it here. We’re not certain whether it will go in or not… But naturally we’ve only been working and reworking it for the last 6 months. So here it is for prosperity!

Off to Paris

daniel — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 13:00:33 +0000

To set this up:

It ought to be loads of fun ;-)
We’re setting up an interactive installation at Paris’ fabulous Colette. Im so excited to acutally see a project Ive been able to work reaching its installed conclusion! I also expect it to be a slick installation. So if you’re in Paris, please come check us out!

Wits UPGRADE!

daniel — Sun, 05 Feb 2006 21:29:02 +0000

I leave for South Africa again on Wednesday! The most important reason is of course the previously mentioned exhibition of my Gran’s. However, recently WITs joined Upgrade! International, and I have been the uber lucky one to help them inaugurate their existence! w00t!
Im flattered etc etc… And hopefully I’ll have something valuable to say about … er…. well whatever it is Im going to talk about.) I forget, so check the site Something about money, fabrica, and the commercial world…
If anyone’s in JHB, please come to the presentation – Friday 10th, 3pm WITS school of the Digital arts…

Gran has an exhibition!

daniel — Wed, 01 Feb 2006 18:50:15 +0000

Rhona, my incredible artist Gran is having a very important solo show at the new Art on Paper space at 44 Stanley Ave. (It was the old Franchise gallery space) Anyway. Its going to be absolutely fantastic; exciting; and any other shweet adjective you can think of. I put together a site for her here (rhonagorvy.com. Its still needs work, but you’ll get the idea.
I know this show is going to rock.

Alive in Joburg

daniel — Fri, 16 Dec 2005 10:43:46 +0000

I was recently sent a link to one of the most fantastic short moviesw Ive ever seen: “Alive in Joburg” by Neill Blomkamp. Its alien refugees meets apartheid south africa. On one hand its a particularly clear representation of Johannesburg as it is today – while at the same time being totally a “what if style” alternate reality. Watch it! YOU CAN FIND IT HERE
(I have never seen Johannesburg in this type of film… it just adds to the eeriness… CG in SOWETO??? wow.)

More about Neill Blomkamp can be found here:
his site
archive dot org

Brett Kebble Art Awards cancelled

daniel — Thu, 20 Oct 2005 10:28:36 +0000

There was this competition in South Africa called the Brett Kebble art awards. VERY sadly, the man himself – Brett Kebble was killed (murdered would be the correct term). Now he may have had shady business dealings, or he may have been clean as a whistle… but regardless there is nothing that can be said to console his family. Losing someone under these circumstances is utterly painful… Anyway – as I was saying, there WAS this competition called the Brett Kebble art awards – and it no longer is (well for 2006 anyway) I truly hope that they continue after the family has had time to grieve. Regardless of his history, Brett Kebble did amazing things for the South African art scene – which gets no real support anywhere else. Very sad. VERY sad.

Ars Electronica Photos…

daniel — Thu, 15 Sep 2005 15:08:57 +0000

Party Pics…

Art Pics…

Linz Pics…

Strandbeest pics…

ars summary

daniel — Thu, 08 Sep 2005 08:35:13 +0000

It was a mad week. Meeting a concentration of interesting people in a world that I’m moving closer towards…

When I have time to go through the hundreds of pics – they’ll be posted… And of course a brief review of some of the most noteworthy pieces and issues. but for now, here are the pics that summarize the Ars Electronica/Linz trip:

Ann and I met the Strandbeest group on day 1. Theo, Loek and Sonder… Everyday we saw them impressing the crowds with Theo’s incredible beasts. Every night we ended up drinking alongside them… and every morning – i think we all felt a little heavy headed!

It was absolutely bloody marvelous.
Click the pics for bigger versions!

Ars – intro

daniel — Fri, 02 Sep 2005 10:48:15 +0000

Allora: We arrived at 7AM on wednesday morning… Can you believe that Johanna – our host and super kind Austrian friend – was actually standing there waiting for us! Talk about taking care of guests, eh?

Anyway, we ran around like headless chickens – pickup up the artists passes etc. Its fantastic to be taken care so well by the organization. Although were weree rather perturbed by the fact that most of the spaces we visited were still in the process of being set up! (Including our own – at the Architekture Forum.) However, by the time the openings began, everything was cleared away nicely. We found Music Box is part of the year long exhibition at the Ars Electronica Center. I can’t begin to describe how proud I am to see this guy becoming a successful artist. After we had a chance to chat – he pointed out how difficult its been – and it simply makes his success that much more commendable. (Imagine leaving your home in Korea 6 years ago for Maryland USA. Taking english classes at community colleges and doing any job that crosses your path… Your wife joins you, and you are forced to leave your son in the care of her parents; After three years, you find a masters program which speaks directly to your interests; And then you get through the post grad experience by contsantly improving a core idea that means a lot to you… The final result? You are awarded an artists visa, and your child can FINALLY come and live with you in America! Not to mention that people are really paying attention to you in the artworld. Jin-Yo is definitely one of my heros!

We also ran into Amit Pitaru at our opening… He was looking fairly exhausted because he’d been setting up Sonic Wire Sculpure at the O.K. Centrum. So good to see NYC familiar faces! I intend to write about all the works that made an impact on me later… However I HAVE to say something about one piece: The highlight without a shadow of a doubt has been the Strandbeest by Theo Jansen. Totally mechanized magnificent creatures – powered by wind and NO electronic parts. Him and his crew are absolutely the friendliest most gentlemanly group. I will write many MANY more words about his work soon – but for now, be satisfied with the knowledge that him and his creations are more inspiring than the rest of the festical put together!