|
|
Bang in Your White Tee The New York Collective for the Arts’ new contest turns the official hood uniform into high art. Or something. From the ubiquitous image of Che's stenciled grillpiece to those awesome "Von Dutch" logo jammies, the simple T-shirt has long proven a versatile canvas for artistic expression. Flipping the script is the New York Collective for the Arts, an organization hosting a contest to see who can best turn a T-shirt into a piece of contemporary artwork. We spoke with David Bunde about the project. By the way, rules and links can be found below.
The concept is pretty simple. We're subverting the notion that T-shirts are only meant to be worn and/or printed on. We want people to really be creative. And how would you say this event differs from traditional T-shirt design competition? We're asking artists/designers to take the T-shirt itself and create something with it. Anything goes. In the end we'll look at all the work and probably be most attracted to original ideas. We really want novel projects. What types of submissions do you envision? Multimedia, conceptual, video, sculptural, printed, welded, sewn shirts - whatever - as long as it’s well executed, interesting and clever. Is the T-shirt culture in NY as feverish as the sneaker culture? Good question. Probably not. Sneakers are the original fetish item of choice for both hipsters and street folk. Not to say T-shirts aren't catching up, but I think artists/designers have become more creative with sneaker design than T-shirt design, which has enabled sneakers to expand popularity. Are there any plans to incorporate the Franchize Boyz song "White Tee" into the contest? Don’t get me started: "I slang in my white tee, I bang in my white tee, all in the club spitting game in my white tee..." Do you feel a burqa competition could be construed as culturally insensitive? Maybe if it were a wet burqa competition. What does the winner receive and how will the winner be chosen? The winners will have 21 multiples of their entry produced by NYCollective. The space where the works are shown will be a gallery/store - where we will have the multiples for sale as well as the winning entry (if the designer can/wants to part with it). Winners will get 20% of the sale of the multiples and everything from the sale of their entry. We really want to sex up this gallery/store and make the multiples/originals as precious as possible - they will all be art pieces. Entries will be judged according to pretty standard criteria: originality, execution, etc. How were the judges selected? We saw Isa get pegged with a dodgeball at Volume last summer. We wanted to find an eclectic group of jury members that could cover all the areas we think submissions will be coming from. And we have the highest respect for all these people and what they bring to the table. Describe the winners' exhibition installation at the New York Collective flash environment? It will be a temporary, flexible site-specific installation designed to fetishize the artistic interpretation of the T-shirts while encouraging the consumption of their reproducibles. Will there be complimentary beverages during the show? Tons. Could a plain pink T-shirt make a surprise run at the crown for best tee? If so, we have one. With the words "NYCollective Rocks" on it, it would at least make it to the second round.
New York Collective for the Arts CONTEST GUIDELINES Anyone 18 or over is eligible to enter anOTHER T.SHIRT COMPETITION. You may enter as many times as you wish. SUBMISSION PROCEDURE: There is a $5 submission fee per entry for this competition. Upon payment, you will receive an entry key with which you may upload and submit up to three (3) jpg images and provide contact information, media used, and other details relevant to your project. You may modify your entry online up until the point you submit it or the contest ends. Only one submission per entry key. The images and information provided will be the sole deciding factor in judging this contest. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: All entries must start with a t-shirt. You may alter, develop or build upon it anyway you wish. Entries must be limited in size to 2' x 3' x 5' and weigh under 8lbs (US). All materials must be your original work. Entry fees are non-refundable. Images must be submitted via your registration form. Entries must not include any highly flammable, toxic or explosive materials. Submissions must be received by Midnight GMT of August 13th, 2005. If your entry is selected for the show, you will be sent a pre-paid mailer to send your entry to NEW YORK COLLECTIVE. We are not responsible for lost or stolen items. Accurate contact information and required information about the entries MUST accompany the submission or the submission will be disqualified. Winners will be notified no later than September 1, 2005. The decision of the judges and of NEW YORK COLLECTIVE is final. Read more articles in Arts, Interviews » |
What if Rupert's acquisition of the Wall Street Journal is just the beginning? Coming to grips with being famous on the world wide web. A reexamination of St. Patrick's worthiness as the don dada of Irish sainthood. The War Report: Storch versus Timbaland, Chimps versus Humans, Dick Cheney versus Iran. Compared to the thrill of going to war, getting out of one is a tiresome and humiliating business. The Game's new album is pretty good, Fabolous hires a private gumshoe and all Republicans are gay. |
