Project #2 Concept/Thesis

My second project consists of an interactive collage and an interactive painting. This concept was originally inspired by an interactive painting done by Jasper Johns', which was discussed Ken Feingold's article, The Interactive Art Gambit. In the article, Feingold describes Johns' work Target (a representation of this work can be seen to the left), in which the artist includes a brush and a paint tin, as if inviting the viewer to finish the work. However, Feingold says that the actual physical interaction of the piece was not important, it was merely the idea of interaction that was important. With my second project I am taking Johns' concept further by starting a work of art and then actually allowing the viewer to partcipate and thereby complete the work.

The first piece work of art that I have started is essentailly a collage, which is a reference to Jasper Johns' preference for the medium of collage in many of his pieces. This collage depicts a landscape similar to that of Colorado's frontrange, a reference to the fact that many people, from all across the frontrange, will come together to interact with the work of art that I have created. Also in this collage, in the upper left, is a representation of a target, an allusion to Johns' subject matter.

The second work of art that I have started is a painting similar to the painting by Johns that inspired my project. This painting consists of a large target in the center of the composition. The target, however, has been left blank, and therefore, the viewer is invited to fill in this blank white space. This target is sandwiched between two representations mountain ranges. Within these mountain ranges I have drawn a satellite dish, as well as telephone wires, an effort to reference the idea that the viewer is connecting or communicating with Jasper Johns' original work.

To make this project available to the public, I held an "Interactive Art Night" at a local tavern near my home, Cafe Cero. I displayed these two artworks with markers, crayons and colored pencils, inviting the patrons of Cafe Cero to interact with and thereby complete my works of art.

Collage and Painting Before Interaction

Location of Public Display and Interaction- Cafe Cero

This interactive art project will take place at Cafe Cero, located at 1446 S. Broadway, Denver, Colorado. Cafe Cero displays and sells the artwork of many local artist, and they also have nightly entertainment by local bands and musicians. Therefore, my "Interactive Art Night" will be held in a hypermediated environment, filled with music, art and advertisements. I would like to thank the staff and management at Cafe Cero for allowing me to complete this project at their establishment. I would also like to thank all those who contributed to the completion of this project.

Documentation of Interaction

Collage and Painting After Interaction

Collage 1



Detail of Collage 1



Painting 2



Detail of Painting 2

Final Thoughts

With this project, I have taken Jasper Johns' implication that physical interaction completes a work and I have put it into action by giving the viewer the opportunity to actually physically interact with and thus complete a work of art. I was happily surprised by the public response to interacting with my artwork. In fact, several people asked me to hold another "Interactive Art Night" at Cafe Cero in the future. While some people didn't wish to interact, others did so without instruction, choosing a marker and freely drawing on the collage and the painting. While some drew pictures and colored in spaces, others wrote words and quotations. Many people interacted in groups, with 3 or 4 friends interacting with the piece at the same time. Several people also signed thier names to what they drew, emphasizing the idea that the participant/viewer truly completes these works of art.

Again, I would like to thank everyone involved in this interactive art project!