feather2pixels

This might be the best thing I’ve ever printed. Details about this project are on this pdf.

In case it isn’t obvious, this is a site specific children’s toy/word art installation. The tiles are interchangeable by row. I made eighteen tiles for each column (not shown).

The tiles were cut out with a computer controlled router–a true gift of modernity:

[iframe width=”560″ height=”315″ src=”http://www.youtube.com/embed/k0HjaESKE2A” frameborder=”0″ allowfullscreen]

Thanks to zMom for the world’s fastest drying acrylic paints.

At some point in December there was an attack on  Precita Park‘s spiritual overseer/resident homeless dude, Stephen Stymiest.  Shortly thereafter, Stephen died of wounds sustained during the assault, alleged to be a random act of gang initiation.  The whole story is just sad.  Very sad.  And it is staying with me.  I feel like Stephen was one of the best things this fast-changing neighborhood had going for it and I miss his reliable and comforting presence.  Stephen was always looking over the neighborhood but who who looking over Stephen? This got me thinking about how much more I could do as a neighbor, citizen, and fellow human.

Well there’s a lot more I could do.  For now, the immediate aftermath, since I am a printmaker, I am going make a print.  This one’s going to be for Stephen.

Here’s my image:

And here’s my stack of cardboard:

More soon.

Some good local coverage from the ever-vigilant Bernalwood blog:

• RIP Stephen, Familiar Resident of Precita Park
• Memories of Stephen Stymiest Wanted by His Family
• Precita Neighbors Gather to Remember Stephen