problems and solving

First, material. Deciding on materials for the lenticular prints is just a matter of deciding which set of problems I want to solve. 

Paper:

+ Cheap

+ Text is easier to work with

-  Flimsy

-  Can quickly look messy

-  Takes a while to design + fold

Problems: making sure printer ink doesn't smudge between folds, finding a faster way to lay out text?, finding the right weight of paper to prevent cockling or sagging, making folds as precise as possible

Styrene:

+ Very neat

+ Sturdy

+ Less design time (because I don't have to cut the words digitally first)

-  More expensive

-  Takes a while to put together

-  How do I attach text?

Problems: attaching text is really the only big one, but it is a big one

I've ordered some 100T paper, it should come in tomorrow so I'll be able to do some experiments and see how a heavier weight works. I'm hoping to have a Final Decision this weekend, or at least by Tuesday.

Second, content. For the "fast text" I'm going to stick with words that all refer to the same thing. I've got all my epithet notes from the first semester, so I'll start there. I know I can't commit to rereading the whole Odyssey - it's a marathon, and I'm in sprint mode - so I'll choose a few chapters and take the epithets from those. Here's a link to the spreadsheet I made a while back, so you can see what I'm starting with. I'll be using the Wilson translation mainly, but if I feel like I'm running low or need some style variety I'll dip into the other approximately 23984 versions I have access to.

For the lenticulars, it's another either-or situation - contradictions or translations.

Contradictions:

-  man/hero

-  tales/lies

-  bravery/hubris

-  wife/widow

The print itself will say two things at the same time. It's more about the combination/interaction between the two words than about the words themselves. 

Translations:

-  winedark/blue

-  golden throne/sunrise

-  polytropos/complicated, skilled, resourceful, etc

-  servant/slave

-  owl-eyed/far-seeing

Not really Translations as such (except for polytropos), but clarifcations or recontextualizations. This time it's more about the individual words than the interaction, and the process of revealing that happens as they're viewed. 

I'm hoping for feedback on these two concepts. I like both of them, I think both of them work well with the fast text content. It's hard to choose. I could do both, but it's not just the words that change between each option - it's also the way you look at the words. I think I'd compromise an amount of clarity or understanding if I did both.

So that's where I am today. Once I get the paper, I'll do a test and see how it holds up. Any votes on contradictions vs. translations would be helpful in the comments if anyone is so inclined. Danke!

Trying out some editing/incorporating my nail polish paintings as borders

"ogres are like onions" layers

I experimented with color and layers. I was thinking about how our minds have layers and are forever changing and warping our thoughts to help keep our psyche in check. 

More Plans

Clothing racks :
sweat pants, jeans, shirts, sweatshirts
Vinyl on wall of logos
Framed prints of designs and models
Hanging prototypes
Photo catalog of products

Photos of Adam's fingers this weekend with his nails painted. He also chose a Purple, just a darker one.

Also, A few quotes from an hour long interview I had with Adam

"When I was a kid I remember my parents asking me 'Adam what's your favorite color?' and I would answer 'Purple' and they would say 'it can't be purple, that's a girls color'"

"I teach kids at a gymnastics place, ages 5-15, and every once in a while a boy will come in with his nails painted or with pink clothes on and of course some ass hole will make some sort of comment and I have to end up putting them in their place as the instructor....And it's unfortunate because you know that's learned. These kids bring what they learned from their parents to my classes and ruin it for everyone else who hasn't been taught that against their will."

"This is all learned behavior, gender rolls and stereotypes all come from a place of being taught. None of these kids would think these things on their own, they might not do what their friends and peers do but they wouldn't care or comment on what their friends and peers do in such a specific way without that behavior being taught to them by someone." 

"To me, none of this effects me anymore. I spent too long letting it bother me, letting other people tell me what I can and can't do because I'm a 'man' and this is what 'men' do. Now I just do whatever the fuck I want and it doesn't matter."

"My peak happiness would be, and I know this makes me sound like such a hippie, but my peak happiness is me, on a warm sunny day; sitting in a kayak in the middle of a lake. Lime soda in my hands, just blaring Jimmy Buffett."

"There are things that are stereotypically male jobs that I think everyone should be able to do just because. Like, I think everyone should be able to build stuff and work with their hands, man woman or whatever, just for the sake of the fact that it will just make your life so much easier if you can do it for yourself."

"You can't fit what it is to be a man in one definition. It is undefinable because it is so unique to each person."

Nelson Photos

Photos I took of Nelson this weekend, both in his place of work and at Montserrat's video game club.