THE CONCEPT
IDM is a modern ‘wishing well’ by which pedestrians in distant cities are given the chance to meet CRUST and DIRT through computers placed on cities’ sidewalks. Passers-by are invited to share a wish, which the artists visualize into a drawing before their eyes.
While their drawings are on one hand the product of contemporary technology (communications enabled by Internet, video, etc.), they are also born out of sage-like practices of giving shape to dreams and taking on spirit guide-type roles; a unique combination of the primal and technological.
HOW IT WORKS Carrying her laptop, Nakaochiai Gallery Director Julia Barnes takes to the streets in search of a wireless connection. Once online, the laptop is connected via web-cam to Triple Base. It is then seemingly abandoned on any found object: a cardboard box, a soft-drink crate, a set of steps, a bench or even a parking meter. Barnes then disappears, watching from the sidelines; Now Triple Base Studio takes over. CRUST and DIRT (Oliver Halsman Rosenberg and Clint Taniguchi), on the other side of the world now appear full screen are tasked with enticing local Japanese strangers to participate. Pedestrians approach, often stare, and much of the time keep walking. The challenge is on: who will stop and talk to CRUST and DIRT? People do approach, after which CRUST and DIRT ask them for their wish or dream. Requests are varied, and have included everything from world peace to whipped-cream baths. In A few minutes, CRUST and DIRT have drawn and broadcasted live the participants wish. After the drawing is complete, the participants "pay" for the experience by depositing 100 yen, or about one dollar, into an old chocolate box. CRUST and DIRT hope that individuals, by seeing their wishes and dreams drawn, can experience a sense of empowerment. IDM is like a time-space travel machine through which art and ideas are shared. Their objective is to bring the IDM experience to communities all around the world. As DIRT has described it, IDM "is like going to a temple, shrine or a wishing well, throwing your money in for your wish or dream to come true."
BACKGROUND
IDM was an idea created by Oliver Halsman Rosenberg and Clint Taniguchi. This pair has been working collaboratively on a variety of community-based projects since 2003.
The project was developed out of the desire and opportunity for Taniguchi to use web-cam technology to communicate with gallery visitors in Tokyo, after the Nakaochiai Gallery hosted his `SEE YOU` installation in November 2004.
Instant Drawing Machine debuted at Nakaochiai Gallery on 12 March 2005 and has been shown at the Drawing Center, New York (June 2006) and Apple Store, Shibuya, Tokyo (May 13 2007).
Click here for dreams and wishes from around the world.
|
|
|
