100 Poems - 100 Friends - 100 Pieces of Art - 1 Project
If you're reading this, I've probably already spoken to you on the phone, in person, or via message, and explained the idea of this project to you.
I often talk about this constant feeling of need, as well as a sense of responsibility, to produce something in my life that is tangible, and that will live on after I'm, well, dead [You will find this sentiment in my poem written on 11/24/2014]. Around September of 2014, in the midst of my "Poem-a-Day" writing challenge, I realized that I was going to complete my year of poem writing. I knew after re-reading the collection that I wanted to do something bigger and bolder than just collecting them in a book and calling them "2014 in Poems". Nope. That wasn't big enough. When I do something, I DO IT. I go big or go bust (sometimes, simultaneously). So in a way, this is a selfish venture. Proof that I can create an idea and follow it through to completion. A physical, tangible representation of something I did in my life. I believe finishing this project will give me some much sought satisfaction.
It wasn't until my 25th birthday, when I "selfishly" threw my own birthday party, in the fashion of renting out an old bar and playing my first [and to this date, ONLY] live music concert, that I realized being selfish can be done right. "Selfish", for me, has come to be synonymous with "sharing". It's kind of backwards, but I find that when I embark on something special in my life, I want my friends to be a part of it. To see it. To be inspired by it. Or to be there to laugh with/at me if I fail (...like when I opened my concert with "Dr. Worm" and was so nervous I couldn't pick the strings on the guitar. HILARIOUS...). I know what it's like to be asked a favor by a friend, and I know how satisfying it feels, knowing that they feel comfortable enough asking me to help. I try to do "selfish" right and I'm so happy to be embarking on this adventure with all of my wonderful, loyal, supportive friends. Some new. Some old. Some long-lost. Some I don't even know that well, but nevertheless, have inspired me or made an impression on me at some point in my life. No matter how we know each other, or for how long, you are all here for a reason, and I'm so excited to see what wonderful art is born from this experimental collaboration.
"100 PACT" is an acronym of sorts. Poetry & Art Collaboration (the "T" is sort of silent...I'm claiming artistic license and asking you to move past it...). It accurately portrays what I'm trying to accomplish here. I've talked to all of you about this project. You are so graciously volunteering your time and talent for the sake of making this idea of mine a reality. We've made a pact. If you hold up your end and give me a piece of art, I will hold up mine, in collecting it and turning it into something we can be proud of and have for the rest of our lives.
Please, share ideas with each other. Help each other (If you don't know someone, I'll be happy to introduce you). Ask me questions. Make this a fun journey. Document it if you want. You will get out of it what you put in. I put a lot of time into writing poems last year (by my estimate, at least 135 hours), so I hope you will give it a little thought and effort. Let's create some art together!
-Derek
I often talk about this constant feeling of need, as well as a sense of responsibility, to produce something in my life that is tangible, and that will live on after I'm, well, dead [You will find this sentiment in my poem written on 11/24/2014]. Around September of 2014, in the midst of my "Poem-a-Day" writing challenge, I realized that I was going to complete my year of poem writing. I knew after re-reading the collection that I wanted to do something bigger and bolder than just collecting them in a book and calling them "2014 in Poems". Nope. That wasn't big enough. When I do something, I DO IT. I go big or go bust (sometimes, simultaneously). So in a way, this is a selfish venture. Proof that I can create an idea and follow it through to completion. A physical, tangible representation of something I did in my life. I believe finishing this project will give me some much sought satisfaction.
It wasn't until my 25th birthday, when I "selfishly" threw my own birthday party, in the fashion of renting out an old bar and playing my first [and to this date, ONLY] live music concert, that I realized being selfish can be done right. "Selfish", for me, has come to be synonymous with "sharing". It's kind of backwards, but I find that when I embark on something special in my life, I want my friends to be a part of it. To see it. To be inspired by it. Or to be there to laugh with/at me if I fail (...like when I opened my concert with "Dr. Worm" and was so nervous I couldn't pick the strings on the guitar. HILARIOUS...). I know what it's like to be asked a favor by a friend, and I know how satisfying it feels, knowing that they feel comfortable enough asking me to help. I try to do "selfish" right and I'm so happy to be embarking on this adventure with all of my wonderful, loyal, supportive friends. Some new. Some old. Some long-lost. Some I don't even know that well, but nevertheless, have inspired me or made an impression on me at some point in my life. No matter how we know each other, or for how long, you are all here for a reason, and I'm so excited to see what wonderful art is born from this experimental collaboration.
"100 PACT" is an acronym of sorts. Poetry & Art Collaboration (the "T" is sort of silent...I'm claiming artistic license and asking you to move past it...). It accurately portrays what I'm trying to accomplish here. I've talked to all of you about this project. You are so graciously volunteering your time and talent for the sake of making this idea of mine a reality. We've made a pact. If you hold up your end and give me a piece of art, I will hold up mine, in collecting it and turning it into something we can be proud of and have for the rest of our lives.
Please, share ideas with each other. Help each other (If you don't know someone, I'll be happy to introduce you). Ask me questions. Make this a fun journey. Document it if you want. You will get out of it what you put in. I put a lot of time into writing poems last year (by my estimate, at least 135 hours), so I hope you will give it a little thought and effort. Let's create some art together!
-Derek
The Specifics
How do I get started?
Click on "The Poems" tab at the top of the page. Read through all of the poems (taking note of your favorites). Pick the one that you believe you will be able to best depict with an art-piece and post a comment on that poem using your FIRST and LAST name and write "CLAIMED" as the comment. It will be time stamped and yours. If someone has already CLAIMED it, sorry, but keep on looking. No duplicates. I let all 100 of you know the website launched at the same time, so this is happening on a fair, first-come first-served basis.
If you are late to the game and there are only a few unclaimed poems left and none of them "speak" to you, let me know, and I can let you read some of the other poems that didn't make the cut. I'm sure we can find something for you.
What kind of art are you looking for? - Well that's up to you! There are traditional mediums such as pen/(color) pencil and paper, paints on canvas, photography, computer-aided art, etc. But I am open to ANYTHING. Go 3-dimensional. Hot glue some junk together. Glue some toothpicks to something. Have some leftover mashed potatoes? Play with your food! If you have a vision, go for it. I hope you find a poem that inspires some sort of artistic vision. So long as you can capture it (and it can be effectively captured in a still photograph and displayed), then it's fine by me.
How much time do I have to complete my piece?
I'm allowing 2 months for you all to complete an art piece. I understand that life is busy, and inspiration doesn't always strike right away (nor does motivation). I hope you won't view the time-frame as a reason to procrastinate. Create at your own speed. There is a countdown on the homepage (assuming it loads for you) for your convenience. The deadline to complete is Monday, May 4th.
What do I do with my piece when I'm done?
If you draw or paint a piece, I would like to have the original. I don't know where this project might take us, so I would like to have all the art pieces together, in a physical collection, on the off chance that this gets peoples attention, and perhaps calls for display somewhere. So yes, that would mean shipping to me (when was the last time you were at a Post Office?), or better yet, scheduling some time for us to meet face-to-face and hand delivering it! If you are submitting photography, I'd like a print & digital copy. I know a few of the people I've asked to participate are out of the country. We will discuss those options as they come up (that would be pricey to ship). We will certainly figure something out. Digital copies of all the works would be appreciated, since they are all going to end up as pictures in a book. Just sayin'.
What is the final goal of this project? -
The direct objective: To make a coffee-table book of art and poetry.
The bigger goals: To get in touch with friends, family and folks who have made an impact in my life. To push outside my comfort zone and let others read my writing. To inspire others to follow their passions. To give my friends a fun extracurricular activity. To promote the work of my artistic friends. To make contacts in the Pittsburgh art scene. To keep my right brain happy. To challenge myself. To complete an ambitious art project.
How are you going to get this funded?
Well, that's a good question. I've considered funding it through Kickstarter (or the like), but I'm currently reaching out to folks who might have art connections and better ideas. At present, I plan to design the layout myself, and self-print using a website called Blurb. Open to ideas, suggestions & introductions to people who might be able to help. While you all begin your art, I will continue seeking a creative way to pay for it...
My goal is to fund 100 prints, so that I can give all 100 participants a copy at no cost.
(I mean, you are putting time and money into making the art, so I don't want you to have to pay for the final product)
---
OK. That's enough jabbering from me. Go read the poems now!
Click on "The Poems" tab at the top of the page. Read through all of the poems (taking note of your favorites). Pick the one that you believe you will be able to best depict with an art-piece and post a comment on that poem using your FIRST and LAST name and write "CLAIMED" as the comment. It will be time stamped and yours. If someone has already CLAIMED it, sorry, but keep on looking. No duplicates. I let all 100 of you know the website launched at the same time, so this is happening on a fair, first-come first-served basis.
If you are late to the game and there are only a few unclaimed poems left and none of them "speak" to you, let me know, and I can let you read some of the other poems that didn't make the cut. I'm sure we can find something for you.
What kind of art are you looking for? - Well that's up to you! There are traditional mediums such as pen/(color) pencil and paper, paints on canvas, photography, computer-aided art, etc. But I am open to ANYTHING. Go 3-dimensional. Hot glue some junk together. Glue some toothpicks to something. Have some leftover mashed potatoes? Play with your food! If you have a vision, go for it. I hope you find a poem that inspires some sort of artistic vision. So long as you can capture it (and it can be effectively captured in a still photograph and displayed), then it's fine by me.
How much time do I have to complete my piece?
I'm allowing 2 months for you all to complete an art piece. I understand that life is busy, and inspiration doesn't always strike right away (nor does motivation). I hope you won't view the time-frame as a reason to procrastinate. Create at your own speed. There is a countdown on the homepage (assuming it loads for you) for your convenience. The deadline to complete is Monday, May 4th.
What do I do with my piece when I'm done?
If you draw or paint a piece, I would like to have the original. I don't know where this project might take us, so I would like to have all the art pieces together, in a physical collection, on the off chance that this gets peoples attention, and perhaps calls for display somewhere. So yes, that would mean shipping to me (when was the last time you were at a Post Office?), or better yet, scheduling some time for us to meet face-to-face and hand delivering it! If you are submitting photography, I'd like a print & digital copy. I know a few of the people I've asked to participate are out of the country. We will discuss those options as they come up (that would be pricey to ship). We will certainly figure something out. Digital copies of all the works would be appreciated, since they are all going to end up as pictures in a book. Just sayin'.
What is the final goal of this project? -
The direct objective: To make a coffee-table book of art and poetry.
The bigger goals: To get in touch with friends, family and folks who have made an impact in my life. To push outside my comfort zone and let others read my writing. To inspire others to follow their passions. To give my friends a fun extracurricular activity. To promote the work of my artistic friends. To make contacts in the Pittsburgh art scene. To keep my right brain happy. To challenge myself. To complete an ambitious art project.
How are you going to get this funded?
Well, that's a good question. I've considered funding it through Kickstarter (or the like), but I'm currently reaching out to folks who might have art connections and better ideas. At present, I plan to design the layout myself, and self-print using a website called Blurb. Open to ideas, suggestions & introductions to people who might be able to help. While you all begin your art, I will continue seeking a creative way to pay for it...
My goal is to fund 100 prints, so that I can give all 100 participants a copy at no cost.
(I mean, you are putting time and money into making the art, so I don't want you to have to pay for the final product)
---
OK. That's enough jabbering from me. Go read the poems now!