The Treehouse + The Cave


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Wednesday, August 31, 2005

Mirror

Mirror 12

Images by Patrick O'Dell

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Sunday, August 28, 2005

Match Burro

Match Burro - Transcript

Probably on an afternoon in the February of '99, while sitting in a dark lecture room staring at bright slides carrying crosses, I pulled the matches from my pocket. With inspiration that I can't now recall, I began to conjure a burro from that cardboard book and one long hair plucked from the plush seat I sat behind. It took maybe 20 minutes, only burning away a portion of the class I loathed, before I knew my donkey was done.

I brought him home and showed Heather, who was by then used to my impromptu constructions. After her brief inspection, I sat him atop the door jam next to a smaller ceramic mule of Mexican origin. From there he surveyed that Baltimore apartment for a couple more years before he was lost in our relocation to New York.

Below, a magnification of the one image in which he was caught:

Match Burrow

Three weeks ago, I made my second match burro.

I cheated a little this time around, employing an X-Acto and two drops of Elmer's glue. Also, the hair has no structural function in this incarnation, crowning the saddle blankets only as an homage to the original.

Other than that, I made it to the specs I had committed to memory.

New Match Burrow

The new one turned out well, probably too well. A little of that MacGyver aesthetic disappeared in the absence of haste and stealth. That's OK though, I'd expect a big city burro to be fancier than his Mobtown cousin.

Below, the scraps of process.

Unnecessary

Anonymous Anonymous thought:

was the text of your history class the book by howard zinn of the same title?

August 28, 2005 at 10:58 PM - Comment Permalink  
Blogger pcenright thought:

I love it...I'd like to see a whole series.

August 29, 2005 at 5:42 PM - Comment Permalink  
Blogger Mick thought:

I agree with Pam. When we were kids Death Valley Days was a popular "wild west" TV show sponsored by US Borax who made Boraxo. Borax was mined in Death Valley and shipped out on "20 mule teams." As a popularization the show sold "20 mule team" plastic models for assembly. I wanted one so desperately but my folks didn't see the point. Build one for me?

LUV U

August 30, 2005 at 8:47 AM - Comment Permalink  
Blogger Andy thought:

Devin,

The primary text for the course was Zinn, though we supplemented with a lot of other works, I recall Takaki's A Different Mirror specifically...

Mom,

I'd like to see a whole series too.

Why don't you make one? We can make a family of Match Animals; I know Meg would throw one together...

Open Call: Make Match Animals (one matchbook only), photograph them, crop to 300px by 300px, send them in.

I'll post them once I have a few...

Mick,

You should make one as well. For some reason, I'm picturing yours as a fish, scales and all.

My dexterity in Borax-sponsored plastic isn't quite as good as my skills in sulphurous chipboard, but I'll see what I can do. At the very least expect us to search Ebay for your mules prior to each and every gift-giving occasion...

A.

August 30, 2005 at 10:24 AM - Comment Permalink  
Blogger Tiff thought:

I love it, how creative!!! You're an awesome artist :)

August 30, 2005 at 4:10 PM - Comment Permalink  
Blogger Mick thought:

I thought you could make a match book replica of the plastic original. The hair could be used as "reins." Way too dexterious a job for me though.

August 31, 2005 at 4:57 AM - Comment Permalink  

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Subway Constellations

Subway Constellations

On Friday morning, on the way to work a little later than usual, still kinda asleep and pretty hazy, I sat across from two men speaking Spanish. One was leaning over, his index finger to the floor, pointing out constellations in the linoleum to the other.

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Saturday, August 27, 2005

Mirror

Mirror 11 - Small
Please view the full-scale image as well.

I'd been meaning to shoot something for the Mirror series at the Brass Monkey for a while; they have such shiny stalls. Also, the location has some gravity for me; Aaron and I have had many life-altering conversations and strategy sessions within their wooden confines.

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Bushwick Disruptions

Bushwick Disruptions - Small
Please view the full image as well.

This appeared yesterday opposite our building (a converted knitting factory that houses a couple hundred artists (think 248 McKibben or 950 Hart)).

I think the hand behind it is likely that of a fellow loft-dweller, and not a resident of the transforming industrial ghetto that surrounds us. Consequently, the exact meaning of this script is a little lost on me. One thing's certain however, this neighborhood has never had a higher saturation of white, young, creatives. This is a high water mark.

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Friday, August 26, 2005

Bushwick Limitations

Bushwick Limitations

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Claim Check

Claim Check 3

Found ground into the fat that lies underfoot in the Meat Packing District. Not blocks from work, under The High Line.

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This Morning's Light

Rainbow Self Portrait 3 - Small
Please view the full-image as well.

With the prisms spinning in the AC's breeze, the segmented light pans fast across the opposite wall. This screen is easily 40 feet away from our grated and dirty windows, so the rainbow is large and moves fast. Falling under its heat is tricky at best.

One, two prior attempts.

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Boy

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Sunday, August 21, 2005

Heather's Cemetery Walks

Heather's Cemetary Walks

Blogger Etienne Aida thought:

i'm confident in sayings that heather is the best.

August 21, 2005 at 11:23 PM - Comment Permalink  
Anonymous Anonymous thought:

Andy,

Please ask Heather to say Hi to Mr Bojangles.

Thanks

August 23, 2005 at 7:56 AM - Comment Permalink  
Blogger heather thought:

anon,

i haven't gone to his plot or seen his stone (i'm more of an overall-effect kind of girl, not a grave-spotter), but his section--the low-lying "redemption" field near the JRP--isn't the greatest. i've noticed the graves on the brooklyn side tend to put those on the queens side to shame.

h.

August 23, 2005 at 8:23 AM - Comment Permalink  

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Meeting Notes

Meeting Notes
Please view the full-scale images as well - Image 1, Image 2

Rendered freehand over the course of 3, maybe 4 office exchanges, each has about an hour of active drawing time invested. Neither attempted the recording of information exchanged, instead keeping my hands and spastic brain calm while I focused on my participation (and their perception of it).

Sharpie on 60# Offset Text, 2005

Anonymous Anonymous thought:

no straight edge on number 2? impressive.

August 21, 2005 at 10:18 PM - Comment Permalink  
Blogger Andy thought:

Devin,

I've always been adept at connecting point A and point B without the assistance of an aid (I'm a skilled marksman for instance).

I love my Alumicolor triangle (doubling as a circle template), don't get me wrong; it's just that my bosses and peers already think I'm scattered enough. Dragging my studio to the conference room table would do little to diminish the "Art Department" stereotype already hanging thick.

So I fly solo (opting for any drawing, over a perfect one).

A.

August 22, 2005 at 9:03 AM - Comment Permalink  
Anonymous Anonymous thought:

This totally reminds me of every MICA academic class I ever sat through--teacher blabbing on, students completely immersed in their sketchbooks.

But really though, how else to get by during a meeting?

August 23, 2005 at 1:00 AM - Comment Permalink  

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Saturday, August 20, 2005

Quotations

"When a design artifact becomes more widely known, it grows ever distant from the complications surrounding its birth." - Michael Bierut

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Thursday, August 18, 2005

The Collection

Delicious Library: Page 3 - Understanding the Market
What recreational purpose does a media collection serve? The consumption of the media itself is the obvious end result, but even there, shades of gray exist. A favorite song may be listened to hundreds of times spread over many years, but how many times is the average book read? Movies fall somewhere in the middle of the two extremes. A game's longevity and replay value depends on even more complex factors.

And yet these realities seem to have little effect on the relative sizes of each type of media collection. Book collections may dwarf music collections despite wildly differing frequencies of consumption. Some voracious readers may choose to get all their books from the library, but collect DVDs that they've only seen a few times each. I'm sure a few readers even know someone who has many more video games than either books or CDs (if not, check the gaming forum).

Clearly, the act of collection is an end in itself, at least to some degree. That's where a personal media library application has to focus, since it really has no participation in the actual consumption of the media.

Clues to the motivations and rewards collecting are not hard to find. Most media collections are not just stored, but are displayed somehow. Or if they are not displayed, then they are at least listed or otherwise enumerated.

In some ways, collections are a form of packaging for the collector. We judge others by what they choose to collect, and in turn expect ourselves to be judged based on the contents of our media collections. "What's on your iPod?" Even media that is only consumed a single time may still fulfill an important role by contributing to our public persona through it's mere presence in our collection. At the very far end of the spectrum are those who collect media that is never consumed. We have now entered the realm of The Collector, and he may not be as far outside your circle of friends as you think.

Digital collections present a problem because they have the potential to remove the traditional rewards of collecting. As an outward representation of your personality, a digital collection stored in a file on a hard disk fails miserably. Publishing and sharing these lists (e.g. playlists on your iPod or shared via iTunes) is a start, but it still falls short of the sublime satisfaction of the nicely displayed collection.
Text by John Siracusa

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Treehouse Tour

Treehouse Tour

Anonymous Anonymous thought:

Sweet house.

August 18, 2005 at 2:47 PM - Comment Permalink  
Blogger Troy thought:

what! no paintings ?

August 19, 2005 at 10:43 PM - Comment Permalink  
Blogger Etienne Aida thought:

who is left handed?

August 21, 2005 at 11:24 PM - Comment Permalink  
Blogger Andy thought:

E.

Oh, you mean because of the mouse to the left of the PowerBook in image 4?

That's a little misleading. That mouse, an ancient rubber roller, is connected to the PC left of frame (now used only as an iTunes server and network admin box). It's pictured in images 2 and 8 (a monolith in each).

I'm actually quite fortunate and use a Mighty Mouse with my laptop (a recent birthday gift from my brother). And as I think we've discussed before, I use it in my right hand.

Heather is a righty too.

See you soon,

A.

August 22, 2005 at 9:19 AM - Comment Permalink  
Blogger mr. tomas ubik thought:

nice workspace..now you just need a half finished painting on the wall, and a copy of miles davis' birth of the cool on the play.

August 29, 2005 at 11:50 AM - Comment Permalink  

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Portal

Portal 2

Image by Justin Farrow

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Wednesday, August 17, 2005

Collective Screenshots

We are pleased to announce that all CoverFlow technology and intellectual property was recently sold to Apple. It has been incorporated into the latest version of iTunes. Please visit www.apple.com/itunes.

Tuesday, August 16, 2005

Day + Night

Day + Night

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iControl

Does anyone else think that when Apple debuts the "iPod video" (rumored currently to be fast approaching) it's likely to also double as a touchscreen remote that controls a newly-refreshed Mac mini?

Here's what I predict:

Apple will launch an iMovie Video Store (it may start out as the iTunes Music Video Store) selling content of varying lengths (from music videos to feature-length films (Pixar)). This content will be downloaded in high-definition, FairPlay-wrapped, MPEG4 compressed with H.264 to an Intel-based Mac mini (launched concurrently with the Video Store) which will in turn be connected to an HDTV in the living room.

The mini will be controlled by a widescreen, touchscreen, Wi-Fi remote (also Intel-based (something like the one Apple has already patented, or a slimmer version of my proposed iBook DS)): The iControl.

The iControl will in fact, be the same device marketed to the public as the iPod video. It will dock directly with the mini (via the mysterious vestigial FireWire bus currently included within the mini, detailed here, here and here) to pick up compressed versions of HD content via an effortless sync for mobile viewing (the Wi-Fi connection will still be too slow and unreliable for the transfer of full-length films upon release). The Wi-Fi connection will be fast enough to wirelessly sync music however, and may also allow for direct playback from the iPod video/iControl to an AirPort Express.

As widely predicted, the iPod video/iControl will allow for direct connection to standard televisions via a cable that supports both Component Video and S-Video, as well as viewing on its widescreen display. The Mac mini will connect to HDTVs via DVI (already present in the current configuration).

This pairing of media server and remote client/display also allows for the easy download of video podcasts (already fully supported by the ITMS infrastructure) for viewing at home or on the road. Think of it as open-source television (or as Steve might say "Television Reborn").

Sure would be nice to browse that library of downloaded music, music videos, podcasts and movies with an intuitive, beautiful and living room-appropriate interface, huh?

Have I mentioned CoverFlow?

Blogger Mick thought:

Be the first on your block! TV Guide's demise may be your lucrative ticket to the beach!

CoverFlow goes way beyond covers...

LUV U

August 16, 2005 at 3:25 PM - Comment Permalink  
Blogger bedroomprince thought:

I am so behind the times. I just want an regular music iPOD thinging. Maybe I am behind the times because I use words like thinging...

August 16, 2005 at 3:34 PM - Comment Permalink  
Blogger Andy thought:

I've now realized that there is already a product on the market called iControl. I knew this months ago, but totally spaced. The device is a physical interface for GarageBand created by M-Audio (a division of Avid).

In the end, this is of little consequence. Either Apple markets the device simply as the iPod video, as I suspect they will. Or they buy the trademark (they do this all the time).

My guess is, if the iControl trademark is valueable to Apple (and it could be, the phrase "I Control" is pretty powerful and natural, while effectively desribing the functionality it represents) it will be for use in software not hardware.

Picture a new app within the iLife suite, that supports DVR functionality and also allows for configuration of the remote display/input device. In other words, an app that plays an iTunes-like role as host to the remote capabilities within my proposed iPod video.

Speaking of possible iLife apps and trademarks, does anyone think that Apple ought to buy the name "iCast", and create an iLife app that makes the recording and upload of enhanced video and audio podcasts effortless?

A.

August 20, 2005 at 1:21 PM - Comment Permalink  
Anonymous Anonymous thought:

Hey Andrew,

This is some great stuff. I love reading it. Fantastic analysis.

October 12, 2005 at 4:05 PM - Comment Permalink  

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Monday, August 15, 2005

Summer Reading

Summer Reading

Ice Haven by Daniel Clowes
Dear Raymi by Raymi the Minx

Blogger Mick thought:

But Heather, honestly, what did you really think of it?

August 16, 2005 at 11:26 AM - Comment Permalink  
Blogger heather thought:

i thought it was cursory, superficial in its characterization, and generally fell short of any kind of dimension, either narratively or thematically. a sprawling structure--multiple stories from a wide array of citizens in a town called ice haven, all of which are intended to intersect--should produce a sprawling work. instead, this graphic novel is flimsier than a free comic book at the dentist's. and the drawings are, despite a nice palette, unresolved and uncomplicated.

i've also heard the entire work was previously published in mr. clowes's _eightball 22_, which i've not read. i don't like that kind of shysterism, either.

so i pretty much thought it bonked.

August 16, 2005 at 11:35 AM - Comment Permalink  

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Incense Process Fig. 2

Incense 2

Blogger Tiff thought:

This is just the coolest!!!

August 26, 2005 at 1:03 PM - Comment Permalink  

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Sunday, August 14, 2005

Claim Check

Claim Check 2

Lifted from a puddle left by yesterday's summer hydrants.

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Saturday, August 13, 2005

Meet CoverFlow

We are pleased to announce that all CoverFlow technology and intellectual property was recently sold to Apple. It has been incorporated into the latest version of iTunes. Please visit www.apple.com/itunes.

Colonial Fashion

Keffiyeh 4

What can I say that I haven't said before (1, 2, 3 times now)? I find the disregard with which my peers don the keffiyeh utterly offensive. Just so sad.

Image from Misshapes

Via Tale of Two Cities

Anonymous Anonymous thought:

I can't tell you how much I agree...

August 14, 2005 at 1:24 PM - Comment Permalink  
Blogger Dalai Dahmer thought:

i'm curious how you know that they are all doing it with disregard.
i appreciate that you were going to wear one until you stopped to consider how you felt about the implications, but i wonder how you leapt from how you made your choice to the assumption that everyone else made theirs the same way.

is it possible that they chose to wear it with a full knowledge of the issues, perhaps even fuller than your own?

i dont have one, but i have considered buying one.
if i did so it would be representative of the solidarity i feel for the innocent people of palestine and lebanon.
the most recent time i felt the urge to do so was when israel invaded lebanon, and my own government did nothing to condemn it.

would you have seen me and assumed i was wearing it with no regard to the reality?
would you assume i hadnt considered and overcome the less savoury connections people wish to make with the nazis or with the common portrayal of the evil arab terrorist?


i appreciate it is a thorny issue to discuss. you might want to be wary of making it thornier.

December 9, 2006 at 2:15 AM - Comment Permalink  
Anonymous Anonymous thought:

Gee, that yarmuke thing is not enough? Now the Jews have to co-opt the keffiyeh too? Is there nothing left sacred they won't figure out how to make a dime on?
Hey, I geeve eet to you not for wholesale but for cost! Oy.

April 8, 2007 at 10:17 AM - Comment Permalink  

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Thursday, August 11, 2005

Dispersion

Dispersion

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Quotations

"To define is to kill; to suggest is to create." - Stéphane Mallarmé

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Mirror

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Range Grilled

Range Grilled

Artifacts from last night's meal.

Anonymous Anonymous thought:

arifacts are the best.

August 11, 2005 at 11:43 AM - Comment Permalink  

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Tuesday, August 09, 2005

A Sign

This Sign Under Video Surveillance

Image by Lonely Radio

Blogger Tara thought:

Thats great. Do you think public bathrooms are also under video surveillance? Who knows what people do in the (supposed) privacy of a public bathroom stall? I mean, I know what I do and I certainly wouldn't want it to be under taped but I guess the voyeur in me wouldn't mind watching a few reels of public bathroom surveillance tape footage.

August 10, 2005 at 1:54 PM - Comment Permalink  
Blogger rabsteen thought:

this reminds me of the painting (i think)titled 'this is not a pipe'

although clearly the intentions are different.

August 12, 2005 at 7:20 PM - Comment Permalink  

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Monday, August 08, 2005

Humans

Humans Manifesto:

No plan survives first contact with the enemy. Sometimes being dumb is the only smart alternative. Shy people are secretly egoists. Nothing is real. Everything you see is a dream you project onto the world. Children live out their parents' unconscious. The only animals that suffer from anxiety are the ones that associate with humans. I don't trust people who are very articulate. The only way to be sane is to embrace your insanity. When you feel guilty about being sad, remember Walt Disney was a manic depressive. Everything I said could be totally wrong.

Key things to learn from Mark:

1. Trust your most crazy ideas, trust your most crazy self. 2. Have fun, Mark is really good at not taking things too seriously. 3. Just do what you want and don't worry if it's freaking other people out - They'll get over it or they might even grow to like it or you'll probably stop soon and they can go on living. Whose life is it anyways? 4. Simple can be complicated 5. Cooking is as important as art.

Texts by Mike Mills

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False Mirror

False Mirror

After Magritte.

Image by Brianjayfrost

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Cypress Knees

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Sunday, August 07, 2005

Covert Street

Covert Street

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Leaving Maplewood

Leaving Maplewood

Blogger mr. tomas ubik thought:

is it me, or does maplewood look like the harry potter films missed out on the ideal platform for the train to hogwarts?

August 9, 2005 at 2:53 PM - Comment Permalink  

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Blocks

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Eye Contact

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Saturday, August 06, 2005

Self Portrait

Astronaut Self Portrait
Please view the full image as well.

"Astronaut Steve Robinson turns the camera on himself during his historic repair job 'underneath' Discovery on August 3." - NASA

Via Eyeteeth

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No Diversions Scheduled

No Diversions Scheduled

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Thursday, August 04, 2005

How Do You Predict The Future?

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Wire Animals

Wire Animals
Please view the full-scale images as well - Image 1, Image 2

My dad slips ground wires into my hands when he visits, like a grandmother should candy, convinced that their use in my frequent electrical work will eventually save my life. What he doesn't know is that in a building in which it's illegal to dwell, little effort was made by the landlords to meet code. The receptacles aren't grounded, which leaves me with little need for these charming copper leads.

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Touching Teeth

I abandoned habitual nail biting in the 9th grade, 6 years later picking up another nasty habit: a regularly clenched jaw.

I'm sure people notice. My masseters plump like the fetal pig from which I learned the term. Two tense discs worn like makeup.

I could attribute it to stress; to anxiety inborn; to months of MDMA; the need for a cigarette; fear; anger; tetanus. All logical deductions unable to assist in dampening its eventual reemergence.

I only loosen up when I notice I might look mean, immediately ceasing the squeeze. My conscious thoughts always trumping the subliminal need for subtle pressure.

My teeth come apart with a little resistance, a little stick. Like a glass left covered in condensation and later lifted from the table once dry, with a click.

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Wednesday, August 03, 2005

A Portion of Our Books

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Gray on Grey

Buffed

Even though I held these tags (1 throw-up) in low esteem, it quiets, saddens me to wake up and walk by newly buffed walls.

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Mental Note

Lakeside Lounge

Never walk by Union Pool without stopping in for a photobooth series. No drink necessary. I guess the rule applies to Lakeside Lounge as well, though I'm not often near there.

Images from Lakeside Lounge Photobooth

Blogger Andy thought:

Our last pass.

A.

August 4, 2005 at 12:20 PM - Comment Permalink  
Blogger Andy thought:

Three prior.

Series 1 - My Folks
Series 2 - 4 of 5
Series 3 - Heather and I, Summer '96

A.

August 8, 2005 at 12:58 PM - Comment Permalink  

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Tuesday, August 02, 2005

Meanface

Meanface

The visual product of a project not dissimilar to Brevity's 50 People See, Meanface.

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