Tiling the way from Michigan to New York

I am about to hit the road again to get me from the farm to Cold Spring where I can get back to work on this monster. Along the way I will be sprinkling more of those 2 by 2 1/2"  tiles. Tell me if you find one! These days I sometimes stick them up with poster mounts. Look for them at about eye level i\n gas stations, restaurants, motels, parks, rest areas! Good luck! It would be great to hear from a couple of you!

S1E17

Here's the next set of 256 panels......or at least 2 of the 256 that will complete this segment. I love that s1e28 one because it's of the newest, most abstract variety. It, too, though, will, through time, start to look more like the rest of the map. (Five commas in a sixteen-word sentence! Anybody think that might set a record?)

Reflections on the preciousness of art

When I have shown sections of my map in galleries I have encouraged people to run their hands over the surface so that they could distinguish between parts that were photocopy and parts that were "first generation" collage or acrylic. Some people were horrified. The look-don't-touch principle applies to most art that is put on display.

But, as I said in a recent blog posting, my art is "of this world." I like that it responds to the world it inhabits, that kids with grubby fingers leave slight smudges, that a few drops of water from my freshly rinsed brush make the inkjet print bleed, that the acid-ful paper of the earliest panels yellows and cracks.

I suppose that what most artists cater to is part self-monumentalization and part succumbing to the requirements of the art buying patrons that their precious investment never fade, crack, smear, shrink, or be altered in any other way.

But life is about change. Time is change. All art will, at some time, disappear. I don't want my map to disappear. That's not the point. I just want it to reflect its having been in the world.

Another nearly empty "quadrant".....sigh

The next 256-panel segment of sold panels. Hmmmm.....Maybe some of you will respond to my newest offer: naming a Map feature for you! In my latest eBay postings I promised the buyer that I would name a major Map feature for him or her. That way some of you who are not guest artists in waiting can make a connection with The Map. This project is, after all, of this world, and not out of this world! More on that issue later!

About "guest panels"

One aspect of The Map which could use a little more elaboration is the Guest Panel. I invite anyone to submit 2-D artwork for incorporation into The Map. The artist understands that his or her art will be copied and transformed over time. It will be added, as a sheet itself, to The Map, and a copy of it will be used to collage other panels.The original submission will, in subsequent Map generations, be blended with its surroundings.

So, if you are an artist or want to be, let me know! I will be happy to include your work in mine.

Another "quadrant" of panels

This new grid of 256 panels isn't very exciting, I know. Only one panel in this sector has been bought to date, and you can see it above. There will have to be at least ten of these sectors to show the whole map since the Map now covers about 2400 panels. Sales of panels have slowed a bit now, but I hope to be posting new sectors soon.

And The Atlantic Article......

Go here to see what the Atlantic online had to say about The Map.....

Greg on Radio New Zealand!

Check out this interview with Greg Whitmore, the videographer of "Jerry's Map", on Radio New Zealand!