Fuck technology. When you want it to work it doesn’t. Maybe I should have paid a little more attention to what I was doing but whatever, the test worked on my computer, why wouldn’t it work on his? I wanted to do something slick for my Open Space entry. Moving. Different. Surprising. Sagmeister.
I’ve always wanted to do a project where I ask strangers or close friends and family random questions. Crazy ones. Personal ones. “Would you rather your child date a person of the same sex or opposite race? ” or “What’s your favorite position?” A sociological investigation of sorts for no other real reason than asking strangers crazy and personal questions. To see their reaction. To become instantly close, however superficial, to someone you just met two seconds ago. To become closer to someone that you’ve known all your life - from a different perspective.
So I threw 28 questions up on the web, fashioned together what I thought an HTML form was*, and shot an email to Stefan Sagmeister, to see if he’d be a part of my “Open Space.” The button worked on my computer that collected the answers and would place them in an email. Great I thought. Send.
A day or so later I received a response from Stefan. A surprisingly long email, very sincere, and he answered the questions! The button didn’t work. He tried three times, each time getting “a connection failure has occurred.” I should have tested my so called form on another computer. Fuck technology.
Everything happens for a reason, perhaps it made for two good spreads. A different perspective. I did three other spreads to round out my allotted five, combining adverts and such in a my scrapbook style. I always try and provide a social commentary within the composition. Images and type. Reality and fiction. Similarities and contrasts. I added some other modifications here and there. The page burning and an addition to the manifesto. Armin, Debbie, Graham, Thomas, and Fiona entry responses.
I hope I added some life and color that Armin wanted. I sent it off to Jason yesterday from SOHO. The departure location fit the project - collective creative people creating an overall vibe, a scene - something semi-permanent. Something smart like Speak Up. It’s in his hands now. Check out my entries here. Let us know what you think.
Click here to launch a new window and start with the first picture.
You can also download Open Space in its entirety via a PDF [3.2 Mb] with the latest additions to it.
* UPDATE: The 28 questions are now working, please take a moment to answer them, and we are in the process of figuring out how to make your responses public.
1) apple.
2) no.
3) eaten.
4) no. no.
5) bad.
6) million to my family, million to my friends.
7) time. most noble sacrifice ever in history.
8) a rock star. who's in movies.
9) don't mind.
10) 'prison' should entirely consist of community labour.
11) no.
12) direct a feature film. go on holiday.
13) yes.
14) yes.
15) city loft.
16) errr... don't know the difference (u.s. terms). i think pro-choice.
17) no.
18) one of my kids.
19) good.
20) yes.
21) time of the gypsies.
22) fear.
23) yes.
24) no.
25) not sell, give up.
26) now.
27) yes.
28) yes.
sorry kiran, it's arrogant of me, but the questions are too good not to have a go at. the work is beautiful.
love.
peace.
On Aug.22.2003 at 08:47 PM