6 hours in the rain, and probably the most intensive bit of large scale manual kerning I have ever been guilty of. The notion of using this lyric has been around in my head for several years (left/right & audio/stereo connection), the opportunity to paint on these shutters since late last year. I tend to keep my work indoors in the colder months, unless I head abroad…
My first venture into the outdoor for 2011 had to be this idea. I was surprised how the letters fell, sometimes right into the crease of the shutter (E, K & R), or even making a symmetrical pattern (see the ‘O’) or an unnatural repeat (as in the two S’s). Here’s a digital sketch of the initial concept, detailing the building and its arrangement of corrugates:
There were so many permutations of how this would (or should) pan out. Firstly, get the lyric matching the position of the viewer, or the teller? Left had to be Red, Right – Blue. Was it to be singular (matching a single viewer) or plural? Who is to the right, and who is to the left?
Its quite a complex task to do this right (I assumed) so I went back to the drawing board and rearranged my ideas with a bit more finesse.
Came out alright in the end:
Only got night time shots right now, as I’ve just come back from painting it. Video below:
Well I don’t know why I came here tonight
I got the feeling that something ain’t right
I’m so scared in case I’ll fall off my chair
And I’m wondering how I’ll get down the stairs
Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right, here I am
Stuck in the middle with you(Gerry Rafferty, April 16th 1947 – January 4th 2011 R.I.P)
Superbad.. simple and cool. You got a little explanation plaque to go on the side.
holy shit this is amazing. the reference, the execution, everything. big ups man.
Absolutely brilliant, there are’nt many artists who can touch you.
You have such a brilliant concept of art in it’s purest form, and you are not
afraid to show what you can do. Pity the world isn’t ready for you yet.
But it’s their loss. Once again superb!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
^ agreed, but imho the world IS ready, in fact there are loads of great artists on the scene who just need the right combination of exposure and support to ‘cross over’ successfully.
Such backing, tragically (for both the artists and the world-at-large) seems to be almost exclusively reserved for less cerebral expression. We need to start asking WHY if our culture is to move forward significantly.
That piece I watched you finish on the roof for example, why is the world at large not buzzing with the news of such a revolutionary leap in human thought and expression?
The work’s ‘raison d’aitre’ as an advert while brilliant for Cutty Sark and Cordy House and a credit to both, is hopefully just the start of a new vanguard of brilliance that should be seen in major events all over the world and your methods documented for the education of future generations. By rights you should be f**kin’ massive. This scene is beginning to grow out of short trousers, but seems obliged to keep wearing them…I for one wish you, and all who share hopes of a brighter future for art, all the luck.
Love it all.
More videos to upload to show the world. Motion, vibration, sound, a sense of space and awareness. The world has never been more ready for your skills chu. artistically, musically, graphically, calligraphy, digitally, technology media you have it all ready mate. Weapons of mass destruction.
erg107
Amazing work. I came here via JonnieC’s link on Facebook, and already I like what I see. Brilliant.
Thanks for sharing.
W
Just love the Rafferty work, having grown up with his lovely music in Amsterdam, the site of your Buurvrouw cafe work, which I hope to see in August. Love your work!
Best wishes
Christine
…it now features in a full length feature film:
Read more about it here. Caution: The video clip contains harsh language unsuitable for those of a discerning taste in received pronunciation or dictionary English.