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Update #16: Invites for Boston DeCordova Museum Opening Saturday
First things first: if you can make it to Boston this Saturday I have special tickets for you for the Saturday opening of the DeCordova Biennial where you can finally get your money's worth and see this beast in person. I'd love to shake your hand and show you to the voting podium!
If you are in the Boston area this weekend, get in touch ASAP and I will do my best to help you out. If you contributed more than $1000 I will personally give you a ride out there in this cheaply rented Chevy Impala I got for the week (from Boston area only, some restrictions may apply). It has heated seats.
Installation time!
The crates arrived safe and sound in Boston. It was the first time I'd seen them in person and all together they are bigger than a rented Chevy Impala. Way bigger! I can't believe we made something that goes in such big boxes! Much less the thing itself. I meant to grab some pictures, but they put the crates away before I could. Will try again in the coming days.
The installation crew did get the frame up today:
This is the entry way to the museum facing out to the parking lot and some of the sculpture garden. It was freezing. Literally. Like below 32 degrees freezing.
Next Alex (remember Alex from Update #5?) and I are going to be making some improvements to the sign, scoreboard, and voting interface. Alex (who's own work has been making the rounds lately) lives in Boston, so we're finally going to be able to tweak things we noticed back in round one like:
- better electronic communication between the arduino powered brain and the numbers
- better connections using ethernet cable instead of stranded wire
- a massive loud boxing bell that will ring whenever people vote
- some other stuff that is not as interesting
I'll be taking more photos and shooting video so you'll get another round of updates more often in the coming week or two.
What's happening with the SPACES catalog? (aka where is my stuff)
I am now the bottleneck. Paul F. Tompkins is as good as his word and delivered the essay. Now we have to edit it down. I need to work on that and I've been busy with this show... but I have not forgotten. I will keep you updated.
'Til soon!
Steve
Update #15: The sign is on the road!
For backers only,
Posted on December 29
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Update #14: An interview, the guys who made the sign, and "When do I get my stuff?"
Hi everyone,
Breakthru Radio interview
A couple weeks ago Thomas Seeley did an interview with me about the sign for Breakthru radio. You can listen or download for free on the Breakthru site. My interview is cut together with some rock music to keep you awake.
I wanted to post a couple pictures I took of the guys from Signature Sign who made the sign.
On the right is Bruce, the owner, and on the left is Wally Senior. Wally Senior is eighty something years old and rides to work on a BMW touring motorcycle. He's a library of metal fabrication knowledge and built the aluminum voting podium for the project. Bruce has a degree in Philosophy from some small liberal arts college.
Below is Wally Jr. and Paul. Yes, Wally Jr. is Wally Seniors son. Wally Junior likes to get to work at 4am and leave around 1pm. Not for me, but I can respect it. Paul is the electrical guy and knows the code inside and out. I learned how much I don't know about electrical from him.
All these guys and the folks who worked in the office went above and beyond on this project. They did it for less than they should of, they worked harder and put in extra hours to get it done on time. I am so grateful.
So, on the off chance that you're near Cleveland and need a sign made – or anything made – these are the people you want.
Shipping your rewards
You may have wondered, when do I get those rewards from Steve Lambert's Kickstarter project?
The short answer is next year-ish. I'm going to be grouping together shipments as things are made. The current hurdle is the the catalog, which will be done in the coming months. I got an email from Paul F. Tompkins today that he's got a draft done of his essay! Things are moving on it in general as well.
It's going to take some time to get a photo produced of the sign, the catalog printed, and so on. But a few of you will get things earlier where possible. I'll be in touch with those of you as that happens.
Calls from the parents have slowed a bit as my dad has been fighting back from some recent health problems. He really loves making calls, so when he's able to he'll be getting in touch.
Celeveland Museum of Art - Nov 18
The sign is making a one night appearance at the Cleveland Museum of Art on the evening of November 18th. I'll have details on my site soon and I'll get it out on twitter and facebook too.
Thanks again for your support!
Steve
Update #13: CAPITALISM and #Occupy, and the DeCordova Biennial
Hi all,
I've had some family things come up that prevented me from posting updates recently. Everything is ok now, but it threw a monkey wrench into my schedule. I'll be posting some more updates soon, but for now here's a couple quick things...
Why isn't the sign at Wall Street?
I've been getting asked this every other day and here's the answer. It's complicated. I'd love for this thing to be at Occupy Wall Street. It's a great location and I had been talking to organizations prior to OWS about getting the sign down there. I also made the piece hoping to start the conversations that are happening around the country right now. The issues being raised in the past few weeks are incredible. But the sign more or less requires institutional support in each city and a lot of advanced planning.
Each location is planned months in advance and there's logistics issues that prevent moving the sign on short notice. For example, it breaks down into 5 crates that are all around 10 feet long. Those are shipped by a freight company and moving costs vary depending on location, but for example, the next trip from Ohio to Boston costs around $1400. Then the sign gets reassembled in the new city where it takes up 9x20x7 feet of space, and the crates can take up ~10x4x6ft of space (so, not a friends garage). Then there's renting a giant truck, but not too tall, because it will hit overpasses - seriously. And then coordinating people and locations. You get the idea... my overall point here is that it's difficult for us to stray from our schedule.
The other thing I remind myself of is that creating a space for these conversations in other cities is just as important. This sign has a valuable role in creating a literal giant question about whether capitalism is working for you in places like Cleveland and I'm glad to be doing that. The sign truly is doing its job wherever it is.
Capitalism Works For Me! True/False at the DeCordova Biennial
I'm happy to announce the sign will be included in the 2012 DeCordova Biennial from Jan 22 to April 23rd. I'm working with the museum to move the sign to various locations around Boston this spring (including hopefully OccupyBoston). When it's not on a truck it will be displayed at the entrance of the museum. Inside will be photographic portraits of people who voted in Cleveland, short statements from them, as well as some video.
More details on this as they come together.
One last photo
Just to give a better idea of the behind the scenes effort, this is a picture of the crew of volunteers who helped move the sign from one location in Cleveland. In the background is the truck that Wood-Lee International Art Handlers graciously donated for over 6 days for us to get the sign to locations in Cleveland. Woody, one of the owners is next to me in the front with his wife and they are two of the most amazing and generous guys you'll ever meet. There's 4 students from the Cleveland Institute of Art, an artist and teamster who helped out in exchange for a beer afterward, and Melinda, a local artist who helped the whole weekend. It takes this many people and this is how it gets done!
More info coming soon! And I also have information on my site: visitsteve.com
Steve
Update #12: Look at this thing...
Here's two photos I shot earlier tonight:
Thanks to the 8 person crew, together we got this set up, photographed, and taken down again in about 2 hours.
And thanks to you for helping make it possible!
Steve
Update #11: i have to sleep
For backers only,
Posted on August 27
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Update #10: Today's photos of the sign in progress
For backers only,
Posted on August 24
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Update #9: Some quick photos from today
For backers only,
Posted on August 23
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Update #8: Thank you again, all 434 of you!
For backers only,
Posted on August 7, 2011
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Update #7: Economist says this is the question that needs to be asked!
Economist Richard Wolff was on the public radio news show Democracy Now and it was like he was climbing out of the radio to grab me by the collar!
I've included a video clip that had me out of my seat saying "YES!" I'm also linking the full interview as audio so you can listen to it in context.
He starts by discussing the debt ceiling debates is a more frank and real than I've heard on any news program.
Watch it below, his delivery is excellent.
Whew, this feels so validating! I love it! I hope you do too. Thanks again for your support of this project!
Steve
"We have a particular economic system. It’s called capitalism. We have every right as a society to ask of that system, is it working? Is it working for us? [...] We’ve been afraid to ask that question. [...] We can’t afford anymore to not do that.
[...]And we can forge a country out of an opening of the debate about this economic system. And I want to be part of that, and I think the American people are ready and interested in doing it, as well.
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Tom Trial on August 5, 2011
I think a question that needs to be asked is "Is this same capitalism of 50 years ago and how has it changed. What has it morphed into today?"
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Update #6: The essayist is Paul F. Tompkins!
The essay in the exhibition catalog and book will be written by none other than
Mr. Paul F. Tompkins!
The famous comedian. You may know him from television (Comedy Central specials, Mr. Show, Best Week Ever with Paul F. Tompkins, and appearances on Community, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and many more), from his podcast The Pod F. Tompkast, the Best Show on WFMU, and from being a comedian.
As you may know, most catalog essays are written by art critics and art historians. But I'm in charge! And I couldn't be more excited about Paul F. Tompkins writing for the catalog. I'm not sure if capitalism works for him or what form this essay will take. (I can't embed these first two videos, but check them out.) On the one hand he had this experience buying a house. On the other hand, he has made clear how rich he is and in this music video, he is wearing a tuxedo and financing musicals!
Get the essay!
The essay will appear in the SPACES exhibition catalog (starts at the $25 level) and in the book (starts at $65).
You can manage your pledge level and select new rewards anytime within the next 3 and a half days!
There's only 3.5 days left!
Ok! I am so excited about this!
Update #5: "Best Art Projects in the History of Kickstarter" & 1st Alex's Tech Corner video
This is a short one!
Top 10
Yes, today it has been objectively determined: this is one of the "Best Art Projects in the History of Kickstarter." You can read about it on Flavorwire!
That was nice to wake up to today.
Alex's Technology Corner - Episode 1
I'm making a video of Alex Reben working on the voting interface and explaining everything. It's pretty geeky. It needs some time to be edited. In the meantime...
Alex's Technology Minute! I made a ~1 minute video of him explaining a cool trick he uses when assembling circuit boards. If you've never assembled a board, but you like seeing tips and tricks from someone good at what they do, then you'll like this. If you've assembled a few, this might be really handy. If you've assembled a lot, you may roll your eyes and think, big deal I did that all day long. No matter what, the video is 1min and 20 seconds long.
Alex has some great, witty projects at shoeblade.com
8 days to go!
There's 8 days to go and I want to get to 400 backers. Please pass the project on!
Also, you can raise the amount you're backing at any time by hitting "manage your pledge." So if you decide you want the cool book after all, you can do that.
Have a good weekend!
Steve
Update #4: CAPITALISM is in the black! And another origin story
For backers only,
Posted on July 26, 2011
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Update #3: New rewards, and finding out what's behind Curtain #3
For backers only,
Posted on July 19, 2011
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Update #2: The sign is ordered & I talk to my dad
Hey everyone!
These updates are usually available only to backers of the project. You can become one by pledging only $1. (of course, you can pledge more if you want) Thanks for supporting the project!
Last night we broke the first milestone, $9500 after just 4 days. This means for certain the sign will be made! And now we can focus on raising funds to travel the sign to more locations around the US.
The sign is ordered
This morning, we headed toward East Cleveland, turning down a lone brick street...
Tucked away from the building is Signature Sign, a small operation run by a character named Bruce (who you will meet later). Bruce and I have had a few long conversations about different brands of S14 11 watt sign bulbs, who makes a better S14 LED and so on. These conversations would just bore you to tears. But the folks at Signature Sign are really excited to work on this piece and have already done a lot to help us make it happen.
The sign is officially on the work schedule!
Now what?
On to the next goal: $13,000 and beyond! And with almost 200 backers as I write this, I think we'll hit the 266 Backer goal I set yesterday in no time! Wow, I did not expect that! What do we shoot for now? 500 backers? I'd love to have ambassadors across the country that are behind this project! Please help to continue to get the word out.
I talked to my dad
After visiting the sign shop I called my dad to let him know that fundraising was going well, but he and my mom will be making, at least, 67 phone calls to backers of this project! Honestly I was worried they'd committed to more than they could take on and would be a little shocked. I recorded the call and you can hear it by clicking on the mp3 player below (I'm not sure how this will appear in your email, but you can see the update on the Kickstarter site too.).
One note about the call: I have the local farm deliver local, organic vegetables and eggs to my parents house on their rounds. Apparently my dad thinks the eggs are a little pricey.
All the best to you and thank you again for getting behind the project!
Steve
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Addie Wagenknecht on July 13, 2011
if I had to have my parents call more then 3 people, they would lose it.
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434
Backers
$16,986
pledged of $9,500 goal
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Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on August 6, 2011.
Pledge $1 or more Pledge $1 or more
Become an Outreach Partner. Spread the word about the project in your community and receive a special Outreach Partner credit on the website. And of course we need your help broadcasting the Kickstarter campaign. Facebook it. Tweet it. Sing it from the mountain tops. You will also receive exclusive project updates before anyone else: Video updates, tour details, Alex's Technology Corner, and more! BUT if you only pledge at this amount, you'll NEVER GET all the great stuff below! C'MON NOW, CAN YOU TAKE IT FURTHER?
Pledge $25 or more Pledge $25 or more
A multi-page SPACES exhibition catalog for the SWAP artist residency featuring the sign, an essay, and more. ALSO 4x6 photo postcard of the sign sent from a city on the tour. With a personal note of thanks from me. Plus access to project updates and your name on the site., note from me, access to updates, and name listed on the site. But seriously, why would you stop here? Scroll down and see what else you can get!
Pledge $40 or more Pledge $40 or more
A personal phone call from my mom and/or dad thanking you for your support of their son and his art. Brief, but not boring, and you can ask questions. Mom used to be a nun, has an MA in Theology, and can spray lacquer like a pro. Dad used to be a monk, built custom furniture, and coached a championship high school soccer team from inner-city Oakland. Just note: they will probably put you on speaker phone.
Pledge $50 or more Pledge $50 or more
Signed copy of the New York Times Special Edition! Plus the catalog, postcard, a note from me, name on the site, and a thank you call from Mom & Dad Lambert.
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Utopia Letterpress Print. Plus the catalog, postcard, a note from me, name on the site, and a thank you call from Mom & Dad Lambert. Pretty nice! But check out what you'd be missing below...
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"Curtain #3" - a signed original print, photograph, or drawing straight from my flat files. Might be old, might be new, some big, some small, all are likely worth way more, pledge and see! Plus the catalog, postcard, a note from me, and name on the site.
Pledge $50 or more Pledge $50 or more
CURTAIN #2 - a signed original print, photograph, or drawing straight from my flat files. Might be old, might be new, some big, some small, all are likely worth way more, pledge and see! Plus the catalog, postcard, a note from me, and name on the site.
Pledge $50 or more Pledge $50 or more
$100 PRINT. (An unbelievable savings.) Plus the catalog, postcard, a note from me, and name on the site.
Pledge $60 or more Pledge $60 or more
8x10 Print of the "Capitalism Works For Me!" sign. Signed, archival, photo print edition. These will be much like the Arrow Sign series offered below. It might be next to the Federal Reserve, or the "Welcome to Las Vegas" sign, I don't know yet. These will be editioned by Electric Works Fine Art Press in San Francisco. Plus a postcard, exhibition catalog, your name on the site, in the book, and a thank you call from Mom & Dad Lambert. Want the first edition book too? See the $120 level!
Pledge $65 or more Pledge $65 or more
A signed first edition of the "CAPITALISM Works For Me!" book. Around 75 (or more) pages of photos and statements from people around the country who voted true or false, images of the sign in different cities, and more. Plus a postcard, exhibition catalog, your name on the site, and a thank you call from Mom & Dad Lambert. Want a 8x10 print too? See the $120 level!
Pledge $75 or more Pledge $75 or more
A signed copy of DREAM by Stephen Duncombe and participate in a live webcast conversation and Q&A with Duncombe and I on capitalism! Plus an 8x10 print, postcard, exhibition catalog, your name on the site, and a thank you call from Mom & Dad Lambert.
Pledge $75 or more Pledge $75 or more
First Edition Book AND a SURPRISE BOOK! Signed by me and Steve Duncombe, (but not written by us). Tell us which way you vote and we'll pick from the following: Das Kapital, Lenin's Imperialism, the biography of 50 Cent, Smith's Wealth of Nations, or? Plus participate in a live webcast conversation and Q&A with Duncombe and I on capitalism! And the postcard, exhibition catalog, your name on the site, and a thank you call from Mom & Dad Lambert.
Pledge $75 or more Pledge $75 or more
$100 PRINT (An unbelievable savings.) These are #8 and #9 in the edition of 10 - the last few, so scarcity drives up their price in the market. You understand. Plus you get the catalog, postcard, a note from me, phone call from the parents, and name on the site.
Pledge $120 or more Pledge $120 or more
BOTH first edition book AND the 8x10 print, Plus the postcard, exhibition catalog, your name on the site and the book, and a thank you call from Mom & Dad Lambert.
Pledge $150 or more Pledge $150 or more
16x20 Print of the "Capitalism Works For Me!" sign. Signed, archival, photo print edition. These will be much like the Arrow Sign series offered below. It might be next to the Federal Reserve, or the "Welcome to Las Vegas" sign, I don't know yet. These will be editioned by Electric Works Fine Art Press in San Francisco. Plus a postcard, Utopia Print, exhibition catalog, your name on the site, in the book, and a thank you call from Mom & Dad Lambert.
Pledge $180 or more Pledge $180 or more
I WANT YOU TO HAVE THIS - edition of 80. LIMITED TO ONE. Plus a first edition book, the postcard, exhibition catalog, and a thank you call.
Pledge $200 or more Pledge $200 or more
16x20 print, and first edition book, plus a Utopia Print, postcard, exhibition catalog, your name on the site, in the book, and a thank you call from the folks
Pledge $225 or more Pledge $225 or more
20x24 Print of the "Capitalism Works For Me!" sign. Signed, archival, photo print edition. These will be much like the Arrow Sign series offered below. It might be next to the Federal Reserve, or the "Welcome to Las Vegas" sign, I don't know yet. These will be editioned by Electric Works Fine Art Press in San Francisco. Plus a Utopia Print, postcard, exhibition catalog, your name on the site, in the book, and a thank you call from Mom & Dad Lambert.
Pledge $275 or more Pledge $275 or more
20x24 print, first edition book, plus a Utopia Print, postcard, exhibition catalog, your name on the site, in the book, and a thank you call from the folks.
Pledge $300 or more Pledge $300 or more
Personalized online artist portfolio website LIMITED TO 2 If you're dragging your heels in getting your work online this is for you. I will set up your portfolio for you and get everything started, and spend 45 minutes in a one-on-one session getting you up to speed. Get your artwork online using the best open source tools and my help! Plus the postcard, exhibition catalog, your name on the site and the book, and a thank you call from Mom & Dad Lambert.
Pledge $350 or more Pledge $350 or more
YOU ARE IN THE BOOK. I will photograph you and include a statement about whether or not capitalism works for you. Plus a first edition book, a 20x24 print, the postcard, exhibition catalog, and a thank you call from Mom & Dad Lambert.
Pledge $575 or more Pledge $575 or more
THIS IS PERFECT - LIMITED SUPPLY - 18x24in screenprint, limited edition of 10. Plus a first edition book, you are included in the book, the postcard, exhibition catalog, and a thank you call from my parents.
Pledge $875 or more Pledge $875 or more
OUT OF IDEAS - LIMITED SUPPLY - Screenprint and collage with coffee, whiskey, and beer, hand additions on torn, crumpled, and burnt paper. 23″ x 30″ original image and sheet. Edition of 12. Plus a first edition book, you are included in the book, the postcard, exhibition catalog, and a thank you call from my Mom and or Dad.
Pledge $1,000 or more Pledge $1,000 or more
I will perform "Free: a talk and walking tour with jokes" a 30 minute lecture I did at the New Museum last year. You provide the venue and logistics. Plus you're included in the book, a first edition book, a 20x24 print, the postcard, exhibition catalog, and a thank you call from my folks.
Pledge $1,500 or more Pledge $1,500 or more
BRING THE SIGN TO YOUR TOWN! Yup, you pay the freight and get a truck and I will come for the weekend to do the rest. Help keep your town weird! Plus a first edition book, you are included in the book, the postcard, exhibition catalog, and a thank you call from the parents.
Pledge $1,500 or more Pledge $1,500 or more
SAND OCEAN SKY print - LIMITED SUPPLY one available. A signed 18x24 inch unframed print from my series of arrow sign photos taken in 2009. Plus a first edition book, you are included in the book, the postcard, exhibition catalog, and a thank you call from Mom & Dad Lambert.
Pledge $1,700 or more Pledge $1,700 or more
OUT OF CARS print - LIMITED SUPPLY one available. A signed 18x24 inch framed print from my series of arrow sign photos taken in 2009. Plus a first edition book, you are included in the book, the postcard, exhibition catalog, and a thank you call from Mom & Dad Lambert.
Pledge $1,800 or more Pledge $1,800 or more
UNSTOPPABLE sculpture. LIMITED SUPPLY one available. Plus a first edition book, you are included in the book, the postcard, exhibition catalog, and a thank you call from Mom & Dad Lambert.
Pledge $2,000 or more Pledge $2,000 or more
DO IT sculpture. LIMITED SUPPLY one available. Plus a first edition book, you are included in the book, the postcard, exhibition catalog, and a thank you call from Mom & Dad Lambert.
Pledge $3,500 or more Pledge $3,500 or more
IT'S ABOUT POWER sculpture. LIMITED SUPPLY one available. Plus a first edition book, you are included in the book, the postcard, exhibition catalog, and a thank you call from Mom & Dad Lambert. What a value!
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Connected as Steve Lambert (2235 friends)
Steve Lambert’s father, a former Franciscan monk, and mother, an ex-Dominican nun, imbued the values of dedication, study, poverty, and service to others – qualities which prepared him for life as an artist.
Lambert made international news after the 2008 US election with The New York Times “Special Edition,” a replica of the "paper of record" announcing the end of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and other good news. He has collaborated with groups from the Yes Men, to the Graffiti Research Lab and Greenpeace. He is also the founder of the Center for Artistic Activism, the Anti-Advertising Agency, lead developer of Add-Art (a Firefox add-on that replaces online advertising with art) and SelfControl (which blocks grownups from distracting websites so they can get work done).
Steve’s projects and art works have won awards from Prix Ars Electronica, Rhizome/The New Museum, the Creative Work Fund, Adbusters Media Foundation, the California Arts Council, and others. His work has been shown at galleries, art spaces, and museums nationally and internationally, and in the collections of The Sheldon Museum, the Progressive Insurance Company, and The United States Library of Congress. Lambert has discussed his work live on NPR, the BBC, and CNN, and been reported on internationally in outlets including Associated Press, the New York Times, the Guardian, Harper’s Magazine, The Believer, Good, Dwell, ARTnews, Punk Planet, and Newsweek.
He was a Senior Fellow at New York's Eyebeam Center for Art and Technology from 2006-2010, developed and leads workshops for Creative Capital Foundation, and is faculty at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Steve is a perpetual autodidact with (if it matters) advanced degrees from an reputable art school and reputable state university. He dropped out of high school in 1993.
I'm going to say it: very excited to get my reward!