The WhiteBoxPainters are featured in the March/April issue of My Midwest magazine - the in-flight magazine for Midwest Airlines!
The Milwaukee 20
The WhiteBoxPainters are featured in the March/April issue of My Midwest magazine - the in-flight magazine for Midwest Airlines!
WBP in Finland!
The WBP has finally broken through to Scandinavia. We participated in 0dB - O Decibel Sonic and Live Art Event 2009 in Tampere, Finland!
11/4/08
On this day all things were proved possible.
Sincerely, theWhiteBoxPainters
p.s. there's more to come.
the big pre-day
With little sleep the WBP arrived on site only a couple of hours late. But luckily, thanks to their ingeniously planned out design, they almost got as far as they were supposed to. Either way, tomorrow is destined to be a big day and...as they cast an early evening gaze at their accomplishment thus far...they realize that today was no slouch either.
getting a white with it
Final preparations for the journey to the site take place at the WBP lair. The roof mounts are fortified to maximum and the little details are taken care of as well. Objects of white suddenly appear and inhabit all the remaining nooks and accessible hallways. The pressure is on and the WBP are focused and committed as the night nears morning. Tomorrow is the big install and even with their early start it's coming down to the wire. Looking at Brent's note book though offers a reference to the gratification involved with bringing hypothesis to life. It's too small to read, but his Dove chocolate fortune reads...'Find a moment of tranquility with you day and savor it.' Yes, yes...when there's time.
into the night
The first full trial forced the WBP to work late into the evening...but what happened that night was well worth the extended hours. In the peculiar warmth of this October evening...exhaustion became elation as The Tally was now officially born.
up she goes so slowly
Only mildly astonished their puzzle is coming together, the WBP begin the first actual lift off. There is a lot of pulling, tugging and tying off, but with an eye towards safety...up The Tally gorgeously goes! Albeit little by very very little. (note: Harvey looking a little like a young Roy Scheider in an epic battle with Jaws)
the armature
Nearly ready for the big lift, the armature is re-assembled and fitted with the highest quality of rope and chain. Harvey takes this opportunity to describe to Brent a much larger chain he once saw during his travels East.
prepping for the first big test
The WBP prepare for the big hoist. Chains in tow and winch'a ready, Harvey and Brent try to find immovable objects in the studio to handle the load of the Tally armature. They are not exactly sure their chosen technique should be regularly duplicated, but they are sure they don't want the landlord to know anything about it.
WBP to the rescue...kind of
The interview with Susan Bence of WUWM produced an unexpectedly eventful afternoon for the WBP when her car fell victim to one of the many parking lot hazards strategically surrounding theWhiteBoxPainters studio. Like a seasoned pro, Susan weathered the interview and Brent's verbalizing his art making philosophies. Afterwards though, the WBP was pressed into action and...utilizing their combined problem solving abilities, successfully excavated Susan's trapped car by building an impromptu rock ramp. Brent was allowed to drive as he expressed a noticeable admiration for the white cube-like Mini Cooper. Susan was then gracious enough to allow all present corners into her car at once and took a commemorative photo.
crazy montage
Here again are a number of images of the "Tally" pieces in various degrees of completion. The WBP wishes to note that they are very nearly on schedule for their first test and their Nov. 4th exhibition. Brent has even gone as far as to consult a pirate friend, Barnacle something or another, about rope weaving.
early press
The WBP receive a surprise visit from well know local arts columnist Aisha Motlani. A professional in these matters, Aisha convincingly humors Shana as she waxes intricate about the project.
closer
This image should give the impression that we are making progress. Note the grandeur of scale. Shana actual size is frame right.
detailed observations
With no room for error, the WBP continues tests in miniature and examines and re-examines the most important pieces of the puzzle. Harvey finally seems satisfied with his test model "Tally" and Shana is convinced the strapping is up to the task. Brent, never satisfied, continues to trouble shoot.
measurement and hardware
The building continues. Various apparatuses are viewed and tested. An early, smaller prototype is put through the paces and finer measurements of the larger pieces are made.
blast off!
The WBP are ecstatic as the first test of The Tally proves there is at least some chance they are actually going to be able to pull this off!
tricky but fun
An early version of the falling panels is assembled. It's a bit awkward to handle at first but seems to be making Brent very happy and kind of giggly.
straps and squares
Three panels are strapped together temporarily with available fabric in preparation for an initial dynamic movement test.
steps o'many
The design for The Tally is coming together. Each separate precision piece of the puzzle is built to WBP standards and little by little a concrete idea of the overall magnificence begins to take shape. At these early stages, Harvey busies himself with producing workable test panels while Mark is relegated to applying the customary WBP white paint to the less exciting parts of the eventual structure.
piece by piece
The basic structure is begun. Frames are built and canvases are pulled. Because of the revolutionary construction techniques being utilized, the WBP have concluded that there is a necessity for a preliminary testing of their extravagant yet simple looking device. This means they are getting started right away.
back at production headquarters
Brent and Harvey waste no time meticulously analyzing the complex and intricate workings of the ever mysterious Jacob's ladder toy. Duplicating the structure at such a grand scale will inevitably involve and extremely high level of understanding in the areas of physics, geometry and 'interactive sculpture'aesthetics.
News Flash!
We have just been informed that a very supportive local talk show host named Mark Belling has caught wind of the My Vote Performs project and has decided to talk about it on his radio show. Here's an excerpt! He's definitely way into it.
little person
We're about done here and then it's off to the WBP studio. We think we have it under control...but boy that guy sure looks small down there. And we find out that everything has to make it through that one window. No worries.
early measurements
Brent manages the tape measure and I'm on the optics. Every great endeavor involves at least a modicum of pre-preparation. This is our attempt to cover all the angles.
(notice: that's our beautiful city of ol'Milwaukee in the background)
yikes...massive!
This may or may not be the only Deco building in Milwaukee, but it's definitely the tallest. Mr. Robert Anderson was not playing around with this one (as we will be). It's huge...and symbolic, in many many ways. The WBP has it's work cut out.
more details
The Tally will flop and flow in a gargantuan duplication of one of the world's oldest and most adored children's toys...the Jacob's Ladder.
and now...introducing...The Tally!
We haven't yet decided whether or not this is our most ambitious work to date...but it stands to be one of the most beautifully multi-cubical, we think. It's entitled 'The Tally' and will be visible in all of it's white monumental squareness exactly on possibly the next most important day in human history. Between high noon and 4:00PM November 4th, 2008...the corners will fall!
meet Harvey!
Before we get into the specifics of our new monumental and sanity curious project...we have a very important announcement to make. We have inducted an new member into the WBP! Our fourth corner is at last complete...meet Harvey!
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