Funding an installation to cover the walls of a gallery in 15,000 buttons to capture fleeting memories and abstracted images.
In the summer of 2011 I went on a stroll in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, while listening to the meditative sounds of Lau Nau. Suddenly, my thoughts surrounding the music aligned with a beautiful dance. This wasn’t a traditional dance in a public space between people; it was an unknowing dance between true strangers. I peered up to what I thought was a single apartment on the third floor of a brownstone. There, two women were conversing through their actions. What I soon realized, with their almost rehearsed movements, was the fact of two separate apartments divided by a single wall. The almost mirroring images of a reach for a sauté pan, and then another for a cabinet door, and then symmetrical turn to the refrigerator, made me feel a sense of calm and comfort. Thinking back, remembering the calmness and the quiet comfort, links this memory with others. Now when I see the strength of a flamenco dancer and their conveyance of power, commitment to tradition, and grace brings me back to the idea of a traditional brownstone. The poised structure rooted by its historically strong foundation, gives connotations of sucsess, not only in the material world, but in the idea of cites like Philadelphia. Just like when a flamenco dancer makes their first stomp, the brownstone expresses a sense of “I am here”.
Memories and experiences are similar, but share differences. When looking back on both of these, the remembrance of either can blur over time. The memory can possibly be drastic from the true initial experience. With this project, I wish to create a visual conversation between our thoughts, memories and experiences through buttons that line the walls of Paradigm Gallery + Studio in Philadelphia, Pa. This 15,000-button project will display images that possess clear and direct dialogue, whereas others will be so abstract that the original memory is lost.
So far this project has been completely self-funded, but I need your help to reach my goal of 15,000 buttons. I am asking you, The Kickstarter Community, to sponsor “Connections with Strangers”. Paradigm Gallery + Studio has fortunately believed in this project enough to fully commit to the showing of “Connections with Strangers”, and I just ask you to believe that this is an important exploration of how we acknowledge the past.
The total cost to produce this show is $6,000.
To make this happen I need to raise at least $2,000.
Every cent received, will contribute directly to the making of 15,000 buttons.
Thank you for your consideration.
Enjoy,
Mackenzie Pikaart
Risks and challenges Learn about accountability on Kickstarter
Risks and Challenges
Risks: The Show is being installed the week after Thanksgiving..... so there isn't much time to complete this project.
I am cutting out 15,000 circles before the 15th of Oct, so that when this Kickstarter is over I can make make make.
Challenges:
STAYING SANE
Working towards seeing the 15,000 buttons together, but also remembering and calling attention to all the "little parts" of life....
Reminding myself about the goals of the project, and finding the correct connections between all of these buttons when displaying them.
FAQ
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I will need you to send me an email with the attached images. If they are actual photos that you want to use, please scan the images into your computer and then send them to me via email attachments.
thanks
Mackenzie
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Funding period
Sep 10, 2012 -
Oct 15, 2012
- First created · 1 backed
- Mackenzie Pikaart 998 friends
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Pledge $1 or more
2 backers
One original button by Mackenzie Pikaart from her installation, "Connections with Strangers", at Paradigm Gallery + Studio. (for pick-up on or after December 21st)
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $2 or more
5 backers
One original button by Mackenzie Pikaart from her installation, "Connections with Strangers", at Paradigm Gallery + Studio. (mailed on or before January 1st)
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $4 or more
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Three original buttons by Mackenzie Pikaart from her installation, "Connections with Strangers", at Paradigm Gallery + Studio. (for pick-up on or after December 21st)
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $6 or more
1 backer
Three original buttons by Mackenzie Pikaart from her installation, "Connections with Strangers", at Paradigm Gallery + Studio. (mailed on or before January 1st)
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $12 or more
2 backers
Five original buttons by Mackenzie Pikaart from her installation, "Connections with Strangers", at the gallery; A signed photo of your buttons displayed with the artist at Paradigm Gallery + Studio (for pick-up on or after December 21st OR mailed on or before January 1st)
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $20 or more
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A small original screen print; Five original buttons by Mackenzie Pikaart from her installation, "Connections with Strangers", at the gallery; A signed photo of your buttons displayed with the artist at Paradigm Gallery + Studio. (for pick-up on or after December 21st OR mailed on or before January 1st) (limit - 5)
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $30 or more
4 backers Limited (1 of 5 left)
Personalized set of 3 buttons of your choice image; A small original screen print; Five original buttons by Mackenzie Pikaart from her installation, "Connections with Strangers", at the gallery; A signed photo of your buttons displayed with the artist at Paradigm Gallery + Studio. (for pick-up on or after December 21st OR mailed on or before January 1st) (limit - 5)
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $50 or more
5 backers
Your choice of handmade earring OR cufflinks by Mackenzie Pikaart; Personalized set of 3 buttons of your choice image; Five original buttons by the artist from her installation, "Connections with Strangers", at the gallery; A signed photo of your buttons displayed with Mackenzie Pikaart at Paradigm Gallery + Studio. (for pick-up on or after December 21st OR mailed on or before January 1st)
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $100 or more
3 backers
Handmade necklace OR earrings OR cufflinks by Mackenzie Pikaart; Your name listed on a special "Thank You" framed on the wall during the exhibition; Personalized set of 3 buttons of your choice image; A signed photo of your buttons displayed with Mackenzie Pikaart at Paradigm Gallery + Studio; Five original buttons by the artist from her installation, "Connections with Strangers", at the gallery. (for pick-up on or after December 21st OR mailed on or before January 1st)
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $250 or more
0 backers Limited (5 of 5 left)
Original framed etching by Mackenzie Pikaart; Handmade necklace OR earrings OR cufflinks; Your name listed on a special "Thank You" framed on the wall during the exhibition; Personalized set of 3 buttons of your choice image; Five original buttons by the artist from her installation, "Connections with Strangers", at the gallery; A signed photo of your buttons displayed with Mackenzie Pikaart at Paradigm Gallery + Studio. (for pick-up on or after December 21st OR mailed on or before January 1st) (limit 5)
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $500 or more
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Mosaic memories stool OR chair handmade by Mackenzie Pikaart (for pick-up after January 18th); Handmade necklace OR earrings OR cufflinks; Your name listed on a special "Thank You" framed on the wall during the exhibition; Personalized set of 3 buttons of your choice image; Five original buttons by the artist from her installation, "Connections with Strangers", at the gallery A signed photo of your buttons displayed with Mackenzie Pikaart at Paradigm Gallery + Studio; . (for pick-up on or after December 21st OR mailed on or before January 1st)
Estimated delivery: Jan 2013Pledge $750 or more
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Mosaic memories coffee table handmade by Mackenzie Pikaart (for pick-up after January 18th); Handmade necklace OR earrings OR cufflinks by Mackenzie Pikaart; Your name listed on a special "Thank You" framed on the wall during the exhibition; Personalized set of 3 buttons of your choice image; Five original buttons by the artist from her installation, "Connections with Strangers", at the gallery; A signed photo of your buttons displayed with Mackenzie Pikaart at Paradigm Gallery + Studio. (for pick-up on or after December 21st OR mailed on or before January 1st)
Estimated delivery: Jan 2013Pledge $1,000 or more
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Mosaic memories kitchen table handmade by Mackenzie Pikaart (for pick-up after January 18th); Handmade necklace OR earrings OR cufflinks by Mackenzie Pikaart; Your name listed on a special "Thank You" framed on the wall during the exhibition; Personalized set of 3 buttons of your choice image; Five original buttons by the artist from her installation, "Connections with Strangers", at the gallery; A signed photo of your buttons displayed with Mackenzie Pikaart at Paradigm Gallery + Studio;. (for pick-up on or after December 21st OR mailed on or before January 1st)
Estimated delivery: Jan 2013
