Project M 2008

Paying it Forward

2008-07-23T20:44:00.000-07:00

Before my time in Alabama, my intent was to sell these limited edition posters to raise money to help cover the expense of my trip. But after going through the M experience, I've realized it’s more important to me that talented designers continue to have the opportunity to attend Project M. Proceeds from the posters, therefore, will help someone attend project M next year who might not otherwise have the means to do so. For $35, you can donate and get a free poster to help me pay it forward.

Thanks in advance!
-Arvi

Project M Lab

2008-07-18T09:19:00.001-07:00

For more info on the Project M Lab, please visit http://www.projectmlab.com.

Better Late than Never, Right?

2008-07-10T12:38:00.000-07:00

I finally got my new power cord in the mail today! That said, I know the following vids I posted are old, but good memories.

Hey... What's going on?

2008-07-10T12:37:00.001-07:00

We're veering off in the wrong direction (on our way to getting lost in the backwoods of 'Bama) while singing the question, "What's Going On?" (Vid is about 4 minutes long.)

My Humps... The NOW CD and Tuscaloosa Car Ride.

2008-07-10T11:26:00.001-07:00

Driving home from Tuscaloosa with my newly purchased, old NOW CD. Good times. Check out Serah's moves.

Custer is less than impressed.

2008-07-09T18:26:00.000-07:00

Project M at the rodeo. Everyone appears to be having a good time, except for Custer... What an asshole. ;)

Top 10 M 2008 Moments

2008-07-07T10:22:00.000-07:00

In no particular order...

— Katy's Napkin Fire at Dinner.

— SMead's Great Fashion Finds.

(Her jumpsuits/rompers. One even features a butt ruffle or jumpsuit bustle.)

— Coke Float Martinis with Bill and Ann.

— The 5 hours we spent in TOXXXIC INK getting our M cult tattoos.

— John's Animal-Themed B-Day Party.

— Getting a compliment and nod of approval on our table from Johnny Parker. (Quite a turn-around from the first time I met him. Within 20 minutes of arriving in Greensboro, I was deemed "Dumbass" and Charlotte was deemed "Dipshit" by Johnny as we struggled to install a window unit.)

— Random outbursts of song during our car rides. (4 Non Blondes)

— Our near-death experience at the rodeo.

— Our covert, "Catfish in the pond tonight" activities.

— Hanging out with all the cool people of Greensboro and our advisors.

Back to Life, Back to Reality

2008-07-07T06:32:00.000-07:00

I'm sure that many of us are feeling what it's like to return to a familiar life that is somehow different because we feel completely changed.
I think it is important to never forget how powerful we are and how much we can impact, in Alabama, in our hometowns, at our jobs, with our families and friends.
The ability you feel when you implement a good idea and make it a reality is equally achievable in your life as it is at Project M.
I'm back at my office with a whole new view of the world. And I thank everyone at Project M for it.

Submitted without comment

2008-06-28T14:02:00.000-07:00

Photos from the Frontline - Marfa, TX

2008-06-28T09:33:00.000-07:00

Damn Hidden Blood Sugar!

2008-06-25T19:04:00.000-07:00

Wow, Dinah the tick lady! I am at a loss for words. I took a lot of video of her during our visit, and I can't stop watching it. I really think she is more genius than crazy, but she does have the "hidden blood sugar."

Christopher's Noodle!

2008-06-25T18:55:00.000-07:00

Just back from Greensboro, and I had an amazing time! It was just the perspective that I needed, so thanks to John and all of the Project M team! You guys are amazing and inspiring. Can't wait to follow your progress. Keep up the great work, and keep sataying the ideas.

Some of the more amazing moments came at our group dinners at the bunk house. Did I really roller skate in the street, or was it the dam heat and alcohol???

Here's a video from our going away dinner prepared by Christopher Simmons. He made some incredible Chinese noodles...

Give + Take!

Bill

Just let it satay

2008-06-24T22:36:00.000-07:00

I'm back in Austin after spending 4 days in Hale County with this years Project M group. They're an amazing bunch who I have no doubt are destined to do great things. I still don't feel like I've finished processing all of the experiences I had from M in 2007 and now I've just added more to the pot.

This past year has been my first since graduating. I've been working full time and while I have an amazing job with great people in an awesome city I still haven't felt inspired. Until now. Being back at M and recapturing a bit of the energy that I felt there last year has been an amazing thing.

I want to thank all of this years Mers for letting me participate and inspiring me to not be lazy.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/displaytype/sets/72157605795778997/

I'M ALREADY THERE

2008-06-24T12:14:00.000-07:00

Sunset on Main

2008-06-24T07:53:00.000-07:00

For the love of Nic

2008-06-24T07:21:00.000-07:00

Mine

2008-06-23T10:22:00.000-07:00

Maybe
Massachusetts
Mother
Mystery
Majesty
M
Magnificent
Moment
Modernism
Magnetic
Monster
Mortal
Machine
Mesmerize
Message
Manifest
Make
Move
Memory
Maps
Motown
More
Motor
Memorial
Mary
Marilyn
Money
Many

Thank You

2008-06-23T10:12:00.000-07:00

Project M is nearly indescribable. People ask me all the time what it is, which is usually followed by a deep breath. "Ok..."
Never in my life have I met a group of young people who are so compassionate, motivated, and downright excellent as this year's M crew. These young people will learn a great deal about design, but moreover, they are learning how to work as a team; they are developing deep empathy; and they are building confidence to go out into the world and make change.
I was lucky enough to spend (a little less than) a week with all of them, during which time their openness of mind, and their desire to have a positive impact on the world taught me more than I can explain.
All of us felt it, the buzz of working together, and thinking together, and talking together to learn from one another.
So I left Alabama headed West to Los Angeles, but I stopped that night in Shreveport, Louisianna, at Paradise Tattoos. Maxx and George (below) were as cool as they come. They let me sit at their desk on my laptop to design my tattoos, print them out, and then they permanently inked them into my skin.

Anyone who knows me, knows that I cannot bear to have unsymmetrical tattoos. So I decided to commemorate my (the first) year at Project M, along with this year which completely changed my life.

I cannot wait to see the legendary work that you all do. I wish you luck and I think about you constantly, wishing that I could be there to help you carry things, develop ideas, and laugh till we hurt.

Sunday Supper at the Bunk House!

2008-06-22T20:48:00.000-07:00

Great dinner at the bunk house tonight! Kate, the pizza was awesome. Thanks for the warm welcome.

Totally Spooky!

2008-06-22T20:45:00.001-07:00

Well, the only thing that is scarier than the haunted guest house is the fact that there is no shampoo at the Muckle House! Arvi, I need product, and I know you have it! HELP!

Great first night with you guys. Looking forward to the next couple of days.

Bill

Have Drill, Will Travel!

2008-06-21T16:53:00.000-07:00

I am charging the drill and packing my bag for my visit to Project M! Tomorrow, I pick up Ann Willoughby at ATL, and we will be on our way to Greensboro. I look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow night and to hearing about your project.

Bill G

boneface.

2008-06-21T07:38:00.001-07:00

Laying the Foundation

2008-06-19T11:47:00.001-07:00

Laying the foundation for the large L.

our uniforms arrived

2008-06-18T20:22:00.000-07:00

Lodging

2008-06-16T16:22:00.000-07:00

Some of the project M advisors stay here.

Only the left side is haunted.

Dear Dan Covert,

2008-06-16T16:05:00.001-07:00

We think of you every night as we lay in the bunkhouse beds. Here is a post dedicated to you:

We are starting a design lab. It's more than likely going to be in the rural studio building behind HERO, the one with the 90's window on a tilt. The idea is to create a space for collaboration and innovation for young designers. A place designed to produce projects like, but not limited to, last year's project. Read Arvi's post from a couple days ago, it explains it more better.

Love,
Bogan, Smead, Squeeze, Nuzenfeld, Arvinwald, Custer, Slim, Hesterson, Katytron, and Grey Fox.

Changing Minds

2008-06-13T21:00:00.001-07:00

It is increasingly common, especially in thinking fields, to have to know answers and be right, first. We train ourselves to have agile, problem-solving minds. And flexing them becomes competitive – in meetings, in brainstorming sessions, or merely in conversation.
But this kind of posturing becomes tiresome and totally restrictive – it is better to presume nothing.

Saying "I don't know" is a brave act, and a powerful acceptance of possibilities.

So with that I left the grid today, to join Project M (for a short while) and help in any way I can.

The minute I turned on my radio after the Holland Tunnel, that jangly guitar riff to Sweet Home Alabama started.
I chuckled (not out loud) and put in the Talking Heads.

Thank You

2008-06-11T07:10:00.000-07:00

Thank you to Johnny Parker for his help with the table (and for calling us dumbasses and dipshits only a few times).

Construction is so Cool...

2008-06-11T06:23:00.000-07:00

Construction is so cool... even the second time around. So, it turns out that our first table was disastrously constructed. The table had to be deconstructed and then reconstructed. Here are some shots of us finishing the table (hopefully for good). We had to saw the legs to make them even, sand, touch up the paint, and use a router to create smooth edges.

take the time to slow down.

2008-06-10T09:16:00.000-07:00

Time almost stands still here, but in alot of ways that is refreshing. I think true innovation comes from an acute awareness of our surroundings. Take the time to look. I see something new everytime I walk down Main Street. To me that is AMAZING!

“Proceed and be bold”

2008-06-10T07:00:00.000-07:00

Its been 10 days of sweat, bug bites and cockroach filled streets here in Greensboro, AL. This is truly one of the most rural towns that I’ve ever visited and it makes you wonder if anyone actually lives or wants to be here. The best way to describe it is how one of my fellow M’ers described this town (and many towns like Greensboro as a matter of fact) - “The life of this town is not in the buildings but its in the people.” Since being here we’ve discovered and seen some truly amazing things about this town but we’ve found that in order to discover these hidden gems you have to look just a little below the surface to find it. Hopefully with our time here we can share that shared experience to others.

As for our project, we’re considering establishing a design center whose goal is to identify the social needs of a community, to provide truly innovative solutions through design to make things happen and to educate designers that design can have a positive social impact on communities. So stay tuned, more to come as Project M literally heats up!

'MAZING

2008-06-09T18:05:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday the team had the opportunity to go visit the great Amos Kennedy in Gordo, Alabama! The minute we walked in his letterpress shop we were overwhelmed with cases of letters and printing presses that we could only dream of using!!! Amos gave us the opportunity to watch him print some small posters then gave us the opportunity to make our own posters. Charlotte has a way of saying things that are just memorable and keep us constantly intrigued to write them down! So for this particular day, she kept saying that everything was AMAZING! So we shortened it and made it part of Project M....'MAZING! After we all had a chance of inking and printing, we walked to the nearby gallery to watch a documentary on Amos and how he left the corporate business world when he found his love for printing. To Amos he is just a printer, but to all of us, he is an artist that is constantly pushing the limits with his art. Also thanks to the PDC group who helped us gather for this 'MAZING experience!

THE video.

2008-06-09T18:01:00.000-07:00

All credits go to Jeff Caldwell.

Lots

2008-06-09T13:56:00.000-07:00

A few nights ago, we went to a potluck dinner at the old Emory School. The Emory School was one of the Rosenwald School houses that were built all over the South around the turn of the century- and we actually met a few of the students who went there years and years ago. They shared their thoughts about what they would like to see happen when the school is renovated, and shared experiences and songs they'd sing. Even the old superintendent (from 1950-1982) was there.

Then, Serah put this rat skull (still clad with rotting flesh and fur) ON her TONGUE.

As you can see in the video below, we also went to a Rodeo. Being from New England myself, I'd never actually been to a Rodeo. It was a mixed bag for me - there is a balance of thrill & near-terror, giddy nervous excitement, and sheer confusion. A bucking bronco toppled onto, almost over, the gate. I promised myself that when the bulls came out, I would be standing up at the top row of the bleachers, ready to leap off (with Katie and Custer and whoever else I could fit in my arms of course) and run to the nearest non-barbedwired gate to escape the (potential) bull attack. But when a bull actually did sort of charge towards us (fear tends to find a way to manifest itself if you actually focus on it)- I was instead paralyzed and could do nothing but sit there and wait for it to actually happen.

But it didn't. And that's where the true thrill is. For me.

All these kids seemed to be holding these nasty looking bee's nests or weird alien-egg pods...then I became aware that it was just Potato Gun ammo.

Custer had to sit in the ultimate bitch-seat on the entire trip to and from the Rodeo.

We've also had a lot of brainstorm sessions, over-dinner conversations, Rammed Earth house ramble sessions and long talks with Sherra, Pam, Betsy, you name it, about our latest project ideas. We have an idea that could actually entail every goal or concept or aspect that we care about and find important with this thing...I'm not even sure if I should spill these beans yet but, here's some War Room photos.

We're also almost done with the picnic table we are building for HERO. You can see Custer below working hard, complete with his battle scar from climbing onto the Rammed Earth roof.

We had the pleasure to have visitors from the Public Design Center stop by, and with them we drove out to the residence/studio of local Letterpress artist Amos Kennedy. He was a really exciting and energetic guy to be around, with a remarkable life story that has recently been filmed and documented about (which we also got to see). He let us go wild on his equipment and we made these posters (each one was different).

Our first trip to the Washeteria has also happened, so the Bunkhouse isn't quite so gnarly anymore...clean sheets, clothes, and we swept and cleaned the whole house. After that we followed up with a Taco dinner and closed off last night with a screening of Freedom On My Mind, which we projected on the side of the school.

a few of Greensboro's hidden treasures!

2008-06-08T15:38:00.001-07:00

Oh Music Man. Anyone who has an appreciation for music needs to meet Music Man. He is one of the most open people I have met in a really long time. A group of us arrived at his home and within seconds of us being there he invited us in to take a look around. This guy will just blow you away, I think he must own a hundred stereos. He lives in the country so he can blast his rock music as loud as he wants and I'm pretty sure he wouldn't have it any other way! He constantly told us we are all one big family as he shared with us some of his perspectives on good and evil. Look him up, write him a letter, send him some music. I can promise you he will change you in one form or another. {Bogan is a treasure too, but this post is for Music Man!}

G is for Gospel. At G'S Flowers you can get all the gospel supplies you need, plus flowers too! I have yet to go to a gospel church but I am seriously dying to! A lady I met today while doing laundry told me just to walk into any of the numerous churches around Greendboro...she said they all have singing!

Creepy Chatty Cathy. Downtwn Greensboro is full of empty shops. It seems as if every store front has a random artifact waiting to be questioned by a curious bypasser. This particular store front has a life sized puppet of a granny on a rotary phone! Others include a yellow flapper dress and my favorite so far in a lone handcarved rocking horse.

Trenesa. I met Trenesa on my way to Flava one morning. {the local breakfast joint} I was walking past the bench she was sitting on and before I knew it she had slid her pocket book out of the way and I was sitting next to her taking about how much she loved to bake, take care of her mother, and interior decorating. This is just one of the many conversations I have had that proves Music Man's motto "we are all one big family". I really gravitate to the openeness of the people here. It makes me feel so happy to be able to have genuine conversations with people whom I have never met. One thing that Trenesa told me that I can't seem to stop thinking about is: "I don't believe I can't make it and take care of myself. It's just a matter of time." To me time can mean so many things. For now, time means understanding the responsibility and role I have chosen as a designer that truly does care about the other 90%.

Motor Oil. All I have to say is taxidermy, barbque, and gasoline.

Rodeo Video

2008-06-08T11:45:00.000-07:00

Rodeo

2008-06-07T21:27:00.000-07:00

The patriotic M team posing at the local Rodeo. YeeHaw!

Alabama, in the dark, on our way to a rodeo

2008-06-07T21:18:00.000-07:00

We got majorly lost today on our way to the rodeo. Somehow we ended up on the wrong road and stopped to ask for directions, the kid we asked shrugged and told us we could just make a right any where along the road and we would get to 69. Uh, not true. Thank god we had Cassie's navigation system or we would probably still be out wandering the creepy abandoned back roads of Alabama. We made about two hundred turns from one tiny abandoned winding road to another tiny abandoned winding road. It is strange to be driving and be so alone. I think we all breathed a sigh of relief when 69 came into view.

'cos you catch on quick

2008-06-07T06:01:00.000-07:00

smead enjois a rat.

2008-06-06T20:23:00.000-07:00

Yes, a rat skull is on her tongue.

nobody puts baby in the corner

2008-06-06T19:48:00.000-07:00

I was walking around Greensboro today and saw this sign. It made me think twice or maybe it made me think wrong.

Construction is so Cool

2008-06-06T19:24:00.000-07:00

Photos of constructing a badass picnic table behind HERO. I will post the finished (and lop-sided) table ASAP. Thanks to the Rural Studio gang for their expertise and help!

Design and the Letter M

2008-06-06T18:59:00.000-07:00

As most of you know, I am in Hale County, Alabama on a wonderful and thoughtful program called Project M. The goal of Project M is to prove that design can have a significant impact on society and communities around the world. Before going on this journey I very much questioned the role and validity of design, why I’m in it and more importantly should I even be a part of this industry. Graduating in 1996 from Syracuse University, I had the notion that I had to climb a ladder to be successful. That ladder being getting a job with a big firm, winning all of the prestigous awards, making money, and leaving a legacy that would somehow impact the world of design. But, in the past few years I began to question that ladder so I began to look left, right and sometimes even back down from whence I came.

I’m not really quite sure where this train of thought changed and its taking me out of my comfort zoner but I’ve got faith that its all for the better. For now I’m trying to keep my mind open and “think wrong.”

(Originally posted on www.nexusexperiment.com)

Flea Market Friday

2008-06-06T15:12:00.000-07:00

Dinner in the Big City!

2008-06-06T12:41:00.000-07:00

Last night we had dinner in the big city (Tuscaloosa, Alabama) at Mellow Mushroom. Most of us were excited about having cell phone reception for a few hours! This celebration, of course, followed a long and laborious day of thinking wrong and building a table...

Chapel

2008-06-06T08:27:00.000-07:00

Photos of my favorite Rural Studio structure, Mason's Bend Glass Chapel. Unfortunately, a trailer was dragged and dumped in front of it. See older photos.

Bunkhouse

2008-06-06T08:25:00.000-07:00

Home, sweet home for the M team.

Some Photos from Days 1-3

2008-06-05T09:42:00.000-07:00

Something Yet Nothing

2008-05-14T13:44:00.000-07:00

This is a simple life-size illustration of my fridge.
Most people would dismiss these items as "nothing" to eat.

Draw nothing.

2008-05-14T12:12:00.000-07:00

The third application requirement of Project M: Draw nothing. (This doesn't mean send a blank sheet of paper.) I was stumped for a bit, but embroidered sampler inspired by two quotes.

The human brain tends to think along predetermined linear pathways. Such linear thinking can inhibit true innovation and creative exploration. Project M will encourage, and provide resources for, "thinking wrong" to generate new ideas and design directions.

— John Bielenberg, Project M

If architecture is going to inspire community, or stimulate the status quo in making responsible environmental and social structural changes now and in the future, it will take what I call the "subversive leadership" of academicians and practitioners to remind the student of architecture that theory and practice are not only interwoven with one's culture but with the responsibility of shaping the environment, of breaking up social complacency, and challenging the power of the status quo. — Samuel Mockbee, Rural Studio

I'm curious to see what fellow M'ers submitted for this requirement.