Designing & Prototyping tools for intervention: Letter Library + Gif Party

Styrofoam letter tests for our Letter Library Project (1)

Wednesday afternoon shifts into further work on testing the efficacy of the styrofoam letters being black. We’re trying to decide in anticipation of our Letter Library (A Collection of Alphabetic Interventions).

 

Styrofoam letter tests for our Letter Library Project (2)

Sara and Hiba painted.

Styrofoam letter tests for our Letter Library Project (3)

HELLO.

Styrofoam letter tests for our Letter Library Project (4)

Also, Kiki came by to help us paint the movable wall!

Styrofoam letter tests for our Letter Library Project (5)

And, Josh made these for a workshop he’s giving through our friends at the Arts Council Windsor & Region.

Styrofoam letter tests for our Letter Library Project (6)

The pile of cut-offs.

Styrofoam letter tests for our Letter Library Project (7)

After the letters dried, I went outside and started to do some test installation. The black works well in the space, but outside, the shadows can destroy some of the legibility.

Styrofoam letter tests for our Letter Library Project (8)

On lighter surfaces though, it works well.

Styrofoam letter tests for our Letter Library Project (9)

Those shadows are difficult though.

Styrofoam letter tests for our Letter Library Project (10)

From across the street.

Styrofoam letter tests for our Letter Library Project (11)

On glass.

Styrofoam letter tests for our Letter Library Project (12)

Inside, we discuss the possibility of keeping the letters white, but using a black background to help them stand out.

Styrofoam letter tests for our Letter Library Project (13)

This could work, but would be a huge pain installing. This remains unresolved.

Styrofoam letter tests for our Letter Library Project (14)

On to other ideas … we start wondering about creating a tool to assist with installing the letters in high places.

Styrofoam letter tests for our Letter Library Project (15)

An old dental tool and some tape for the test.

Styrofoam letter tests for our Letter Library Project (16)

It works fairly well…

Styrofoam letter tests for our Letter Library Project (17)

But, it needs refining.

Styrofoam letter tests for our Letter Library Project (18)

Some evidence of where the letters were punctured.

Styrofoam letter tests for our Letter Library Project (19)

Gash.

Styrofoam letter tests for our Letter Library Project (20)

So, Josh starts a redesign.

Styrofoam letter tests for our Letter Library Project (21)

And Sara left notes about what to finish up on the postcard.

Styrofoam letter tests for our Letter Library Project (22)

A detail of Josh’s latest design for our letter installation tool.

Styrofoam letter tests for our Letter Library Project (23)

For a quick demo, a dust pan will suffice.

Styrofoam letter tests for our Letter Library Project (24)

It will cradle the letter, but also act as a brace to help stick the letter to the wall.

Styrofoam letter tests for our Letter Library Project (25)

Josh testing.

Styrofoam letter tests for our Letter Library Project (26)

The scrap and push.

Styrofoam letter tests for our Letter Library Project (27)

Looks promising.

Styrofoam letter tests for our Letter Library Project (28)

It works!

Styrofoam letter tests for our Letter Library Project (29)

Josh demonstrates the techinque.

Styrofoam letter tests for our Letter Library Project (30)

Then, another revision…

Styrofoam letter tests for our Letter Library Project (31)

It’s though that we need the option to have a smaller surface to work with letters that will not stand up on their own in the dust pan scenario.

Styrofoam letter tests for our Letter Library Project (32)

Out the door…

Styrofoam letter tests for our Letter Library Project (33)

…more tape.

Styrofoam letter tests for our Letter Library Project (34)

A reaching test.

Styrofoam letter tests for our Letter Library Project (36)

Adjusting the placement of the letter on the screw.

Styrofoam letter tests for our Letter Library Project (37)

Attempt #2.

Styrofoam letter tests for our Letter Library Project (38)

And it’s up!

Styrofoam letter tests for our Letter Library Project (39)

The letter O.

Styrofoam letter tests for our Letter Library Project (40)

Josh reviews the rig.

Styrofoam letter tests for our Letter Library Project (41)

Then, loftier attempts.

Styrofoam letter tests for our Letter Library Project (42)

 

Styrofoam letter tests for our Letter Library Project (43)

 

Styrofoam letter tests for our Letter Library Project (44)

And, in closing … some animated gifs from Hiba, Kevin, and Josh’s scrape dust-pan attempts.

Styrofoam letter tests for our Letter Library Project (45)

 

Styrofoam letter tests for our Letter Library Project (46)

 

Styrofoam letter tests for our Letter Library Project (47)

Yes, it was a good day.

2 Replies to “Designing & Prototyping tools for intervention: Letter Library + Gif Party”

  1. White letters all the way. They pop so much against the cityscape, where nothing is pure white. Is the goal to have them look sweet out in the city where they belong, or sitting in the gallery where they aren’t doing much? I understand not wanting to paint a black wall inside the space for them to sit against,, im sure there could be a temporary solution such as fabric? It’d be interesting to see as well, over time, how dirty they get as more people use them. I think the accumulation of grime over time also adds to the concept. Think of a well-loved library book.

    Is there a plan for collecting images of participant’s interventions, or are we just going to ‘let it be’?

    I can’t wait to sign out these letters. If they’re black though, I’d reconsider using them at all, the photos wouldn’t nearly look as crisp. I really feel that black letters will sit in the space, and white letter will exist in the city.

Comments are closed.