The truth is, I really haven’t traveled that much in my life. Part of that has to do with the fact that I’m afraid of flying (like really really afraid.) But, for the sake of ArtBabble, I had the amazing opportunity to visit Los Angeles last May. Fellow Nugget Danny and I documented the whole experience with photos and video. On our trip we met a lot of interesting people and dogs and enjoyed the sunshine, the warm weather, and (Danny especially) fresh tacos.

The reason we traveled was to film on location the construction of Andrea Zittel’s project, a large floating island to be installed in the lake of 100 Acres back in Indy. The island was fabricated by Barnacle Bros studio in East L.A. where upon arrival, we were greeted by a cast of characters led by a heavily tattooed man known as Smilee Barnacle. They brought us up to speed on the project and led us around the work shop,  which looked more like a carnival parade storage room than any kind of studio! The interview we did with Smilee turned out to be pretty hilarious:

And here are some pictures I snapped throughout the day. You can find more here.

That's Danny filming Smilee and crew

Shop dog

From the desk of Mr. Barnacle...

The colorful alley behind Barnacle Bros

Danny filming Smilee as he explains what materials were used for the island

There in the middle of the shop sat a snow-white igloo, which on closer inspection was not made of snow, but foam. And even better, it really looked like it would float! Smilee and his team used homemade tools to claw, shave, and mold the foam into a smooth, round shape. I can only imagine the spraying bits of foam as they hacked away at the towering mound of white.

It's snowing in L.A.! (standing in a pile of foam bits)

Here’s an interview we did there with Andrea to get a little more background info on the whole project.

Fast forward to a few weeks ago, when the Barnacle crew brought the island to Indianapolis… only to be greeted by chilly temps and mud in the Art and Nature Park… Indiana at its finest! There was a lot of activity in 100 acres lake that week. Both the island and Eden II are now floating in the lake for all to see.

I felt kind of sorry for Andrea and the Barnacle Bros, wading around in the frigid lake, because their visit to Indy was a cold and damp one. Then again, they get to experience the beautiful California weather all year ‘round. (Special thanks to Smilee, Theresia and the whole Barnacle Bros. crew, Andrea, and the cool cats at The Getty for their kind hospitality.)

It sure was sunny in California but I think I’ll stick with Indiana. I’m kind of partial to the sunsets.

I snapped this photo outside my house a couple months ago

I’ve always been into art in the streets. There is something special about the mysterious, obscure & dangerous methods it takes to create graffiti art. Wild Style is one of my favorite movies to this date. Some call it vandalism, others call it art. True graffiti writers don’t give a sh*t what you call it, so long as they “get up”.  In this ever changing world of technology and open networks of communication, it should be no surprise that graffiti has evolved along w/ the digital revolution (known as the ever-cliche “2.0″). The world wide web and it’s army of geeks are rising to the occasion.

I’ve noticed a big surge of digital tools, and open source networks of communication for graffiti artists. Lucky for you I have dug deep into my digital crate of delicious links and have compiled them into a… you guessed it, list!

• F.A.T.
  Every techno-savvy artist cutting the edge should have this site bookmarked.  “The Free Art and Technology (F.A.T.) Lab is an organization dedicated to enriching the public domain through the research and development of creative technologies and media. Release early, often and with rap music. This is Notorious R&D.”
• EyeWriter Initiative
  It is a low-cost eye-tracking apparatus & custom software that allows graffiti writers and artists with paralysis resulting from Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis to draw using only their eyes.
• Hektor
  Hektor is a portable Spray-paint Output Device for laptop computers.
• ROBOTAGGER
  A labor-saving device for graffiti artists. An assistive tool or telematic proxy for taggers working in harsh environments. Long-needed relief for graffiti artists with RSI.
• Graffiti Analysis
  “A digital graffiti blackbook designed for documenting more than just ink.”
• DustTag (Graffiti Analysis iPhone Edition)
  A pocket sized digital graffiti blackbook designed for documenting more than just ink.
• LRPD Vandalsquad
  Be sure to check out the online graffiti tool, Graffiti Studio, here.
• The Exchange
  An international group of style writers trade sketches of each other’s moniker and it is documented here. Worth a look indeed.
• Stencil Revolution
  An online stencil art community resource.
• Projection Bombing
  One day, you will see this at the IMA. Mark my words, but dqmot.
• Wooster Collective
  This has been a go-to blog for the graffiti community since 2001. One of the best. “This site is dedicated to showcasing and celebrating ephemeral art placed on streets in cities around the world.”

I’d love to hear your thoughts, and as always feel free to share any good links I have left out. If you are incorporating technology in a new way into your art, please do tell!

image from Flickr user * f l o r

With the help of Urban Outfitters and The Impossible Project,  Polaroid film will be back in production in 2010. When Polaroid stopped manufacturing instant film in 2008, The Impossible Project bought all the equipment and machinery. This year, Urban Outfitters will release 700 limited edition sets of Polaroid cameras and one pack of Polaroid film. Eventually, they’ll  sell film packs too.

Something interesting I noticed on the Impossible Project’s site was their mission statement:

The Impossible mission is NOT to re-build Polaroid Integral film but (with the help of strategic partners) to develop a new product with new characteristics, consisting of new optimised components, produced with a streamlined modern setup. An innovative and fresh analog material, sold under a new brand name that perfectly will match the global re-positioning of Integral Films.

If you simply can’t wait until 2010 (like me), Gallery Space at Space 15 Twenty in Los Angeles is hosting a month-long group show of Polaroid photography, in conjunction with the production of the film. Or you can always check out the slew of ‘fake’ polaroid apps like this and this.  Now get to shakin’ it!