internet explorers club | let's talk mashups
First off, I'm pretty proud of this, but I (with the help of Claire and Brendan) created a twitter bot that auto-generates mashups of pop culture properties.
I have some Strong Feelings about mashups (which I think about on the regular because I run a mashup blog), and this might be my attempt to convince people that just because you can combine two things does not mean you should. It has been pointed out that this may backfire, but keep the faith, dear Reader!
While we're on the subject of mashups and nerd-art for nerd-sake, please read Brandon Bird's discussion of tribute shows and how the concept of a show is more than just a theme.
I wonder, sometimes, if I accidentally started this whole thing—back in college, I put on an exhibit of artwork inspired by Edward Norton. I wonder if people saw that show...and thought, “All you need is a theme. Pick a thing you like, get people to draw pictures of it, BOOM, art show.” But theme is nothing without concept. Edward Norton was the theme of that 2002 show, but the actual concept was that it would be funny to see a room filled with Edward Norton art. Funny because there is no fucking reason a room should ever be filled with art of Edward Norton; it was a joke on the expectations of an art show. It wasn’t (sorry, Edward Norton!) about how cool a guy Edward Norton is.
A good show concept, in my mind, should bring out the personality and sensibility of each artist. It should almost be a problem that the artist has to engineer his or her way out of.
Reading list:
- You might have seen that retro letter from Lego to parents. This is a fascinating look into figuring out if it's legitimate or not, by a bunch of type nerds (it is, by the way, just not originally in English)
- Why we call each other "babe."
- How to Email with an Old Friend After Falling Out of Touch by Paul Ford is lovely and you should read it.
If you ever think your life is a mess, please keep in mind the following stories: You did not buy a haunted sword that you are now trying to sell on Craigslist. You weren't responsible for 100 brains that went missing from the University of Texas.
For the Internet Explorers Club Gift Guide: "Stop Talking" Cards. Jesus Kite. Dinosaur cookie cutters. May I also recommend this great gift from the k-drama It's Ok, It's Love.
--Emily
