Robot Artists!

Inspired by a the Scribbling Machines at SF's Exploratorium's Tinkering Studio, I built this robot artist (hacking parts from last summer's electric model car).

The Artist

He's a genius!
My studio mates think he might be drawing a map to...or from an alien world.

His most recent piece

The Artist at work

 Find The Exploratorium's PDF how-to for this project here:
http://tinkering.exploratorium.edu/tinkeringsite/files/2010/10/Scribbling_Machines.pdf

...it's just a matter of time before these robots take over the (art) world : )

EXA Alumni: "Come Play in Phil's Garage"

Brought to you by the EXA Alumni Council, CIIS come play in phil's garage Sat. 5/11, 10a - 1p

All EXA alumni and their families and friends are invited to Phil’s open studio space to play, commune, and discover new connections.  Spend the morning with us, or just drop by and say hi! Juice and pastries will be served. Other offerings welcome.

Toy Stories

Put the "Action!" back in action figures by photographing or shooting videos of your original stories using all toys. Use recycled cartons/bottles/boxes/etc and some fabric to create your story's world (always a fun project!), place your figures, and begin shooting. Read captions below for hints.

The Zombie horde approaches! (Try cool angles to get more dramatic views)

Go Big! (I hang a fabric for sky & set up several layers of tables...don't forget about caves/Underworld space!)

Introducing "Commando Barbie" (Modify your toys by swapping parts)

My production team for "Commando Barbie vs the Shark" (I use iPhone/iPad to take photos and iMovie to compose & share the results; 2-min episode conceived, shot & edited in 60-mins)

"Macro Lens, your my only hope" (you can get special lenses for phone/tablet cameras for that essential toy close-up)

Check out this incredible therapeutic art project, having kids living in war zones tell their stories using drawings and toy re-enactments:
http://www.wartoysproject.com

Go Girls! (book & camps)

I can't say enough positive things about the creative, emotional geniuses behind Glitter & Razz Productions: Allison Kenny & Lynn Johnson.

...& Now they've outdone themselves!

Check out (& buy) their brand new chapter book Starring Celia, great reading for both girls & boys:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/0615774725/ref=cm_sw_su_dp

Inside, you'll find all kinds of wonderful moments (and people) inspired by real-life Glitter & Razz programs, including AI teacher, Kiona, introducing the "Tower of Oops," an interactive sculpture and group ritual of embracing and learning from mistakes, which originated at the AI summer camp 2011 that has since taken on a life of its own, thanks to the enthusiasm of Allison & everyone she works with. She honors me with a credit for its "invention" in this wonderful book (Thanks, Allison! You Go, Girl!)

Go Girls summer camps can be found all over the Bay Area - details here:

http://glitterandrazz.com/gogirlscamp/

Dads Can Do!!!

http://www.dadcando.com

Just found this wonderful website with tons of great, hands-on projects -- complete with step by step instructions. Check it out!
http://www.dadcando.com/default.asp

Here's a quote from the page, reflecting the same beliefs that help guide Active Imagination groups:

As Erika Cosby (Bill’s daughter) famously said, 
. . . “… fathers have a way of putting everything together”. 
. . . It helps that as dads we have experience in planning, more confidence and finer motor control than our kids, as well as the ability to buy more materials or better equipment if and when necessary once a project gets started, just to make sure that it stays on track. On top of all that, dads are a child’s first port of call for learning how to assess and tolerate a certain amount of risk, an important life skill and essential in the creative process, allowing ideas to be developed to their conclusion, rather than challenged or even ruled out by apprehension of the unknown in the early stages of an endeavour. However, the benefits of spending such quality time with your children run deeper than just turning them into competent model makers. Long-term research has shown that a father’s role, and specifically the quality and sensitivity of play between a father and his children, is the most important factor in determining a growing child’s ability to form and maintain normal relationships and feel secure in themselves. 

OPEN STUDIO: DIY Mini-golf

Ingredients: 

1. something to use as TURF, in this case the plastic grass carpet (approx 3'x6')
2. something to use as a HOLE, in this case: 2" PVC, placed in cut-out in turf
3. something to use for a CLUB, in this case: 1" PVC tubing &  connectors
4. GOLF BALLS

+ lots of IMAGINATION!

Procedure:

Players design and test their putting green, using things to change the HEIGHT/SLOPE of the green & include OBSTACLES on top (e.g., toys/found objects)

Play in turns

Hole 1: with customized Ninjago figure obstacle (spray-painted t-shirt drying in background)

Hole 2: Mountain Range

Open House, 12/8/12, 2 - 4pm

Drop-in to the next Holiday Open Studio, Sat. 12/8/12, 2-4pm
&
Help build Ginger Town, an original collective sculpture of gingerbread-style model buildings and other imaginative structures. Best part: all the decor will be made of food!

SAMPLE - BEFORE (Cardboard frame)

SAMPLE - AFTER (with light inside)

WHAT TO EXPECT: Phil will set-up a grid and some sample buildings, as well as provide a selection of decorations and the frosting-glue. Make your own building or a whole district including landscaping and roads, etc. Of course, there will be a couple small side projects and access to the usual AI toys & costumes for the kids to make-up their own stories/games. When it's all done, I'll take pictures and post to the blog so you can see & share Ginger Town, even if you can't stay long. This is a great opportunity  to say "Happy Holidays" to old friends, meet new kids & parents, and plan playdates for the winter break.

PARENT SUPERVISION REQUIRED: This event is good for kids of nearly any age with help...and close watch on how many pieces go on the model and how many go in the mouth : )

DONATIONS WELCOME: Parents, feel free to use this as a creative opportunity to rid your kitchen of food-for-arts-sake: cereal, candy, snack crackers/pretzels, pasta, etc. You can also up-cycle (i.e., make use of soiled) compostable, paper or plastic cups, plates, or cutlery. Both material and cash donations are gladly accepted. (No fee for participation.)

RSVP - please call/email to let me know how many people to expect.

Hope to see you again soon!

Phil
(415) 939-4743
philweglarzmft@gmail.com