Some of you might be familiar with my Animal Rankings series.  Essentially I draw animals, then let people rank them based on how awesome they think that particular animal is.  I’ve decided I’d quite like to extend their reach.

Ideally I would love to have an Animal Rankings exhibition, but there is one very important element I would like to retain in their progression from digital to physical: Interactivity.

People still need to be able to have their say on how the animals are ordered.  I want people to be able to physically move the items on the wall to suit their own personal tastes.  Immediately I start running into problems, specifically how to stop people stealing the prints.  Ideally I would love to have the entire exhibit as one big digital artwork, with little digital ‘upvote’ buttons that the users could press to rearrange the entire ranking system.  But that would cost mountains of money.

up, out, across

The only other system I can think of, is to build some sort of reordering structure.  I’ve come up with a prototype that enables the prints to be pulled out, up, and then can slide along a rack to reorder.  This system would work perfectly.  Were it not for the fact that the structure would end up being some 10 metres long, and I don’t know many spaces available to me with walls of that length.

Ultimately, I think I might just have to trust that my lovely patrons will move, but won’t steal my prints.

It’s definitely something I want to consider – because the animal rankings need to be exhibited, and the interactivity is integral. If they can’t be moved, then they won’t be shown.

I have also been considering using something like http://www.pozible.com.au/ to raise some money to get the exhibition going. These crowdfunding websites offer different ‘rewards’ based on different levels of payment. I was contemplating having some levels gifted with an animal of that donation-givers choosing, higher levels with a free print, and so on and so forth.  It might even be a nice alternative to the gallery exhibit itself – and merely have the funding to get prints/magnets etc made for people to have.

Please let me know what you think.  If enough people show interest, I’ll know if this is an undertaking to continue contemplating.

- a.

(You can see videos of me drawing this guy (just the digital part Im afraid) here : part1, part2.

To celebrate this, Kondoot has decided to have a little competition.  We rejigged the scoreboards a little, and now we can track weekly scores.  The kondoot user with the highest ‘Brainpunch!’ score at the end of the week, wins $1000.  Simple, and awesome.

So go on, check out the apps.  You could be $999 up this time next week.

Android, Here!

iPhones, Here!

Or play on the web, here!

If you are so inclined you can buy prints at society6 : http://society6.com/amassingham/Maniac-Mansion-Cocktail-Party_Print

In other news, I recently found out that my Animal Rankings cuttlefish illustration will be featured in the drawing day 2011 book.  So feel free to buy a copy for all of it’s cuttlfishy glory.

Recently I started working for Kondoot – A Brisbane-based social video organisation.  And it’s been pretty awesome.  After a few weeks hard work, we’ve released the first batch of games made specifically for the site.  We have released three games so far.  Brainpunch! – A braintwistery colour game, Conducted - A Matching electrically game, and Earth Must Pay – A Space-travelling frustration fueled game.  You should all head on over, create a Kondoot account and give them a try.  ( while you’re at it, feel free to add me and try to beat my scores! )

In other news, I’ve got some art being displayed at Emulator from September 19th to 30th at Bleeding Heart gallery.  It’s a classic gaming inspired event.  I’ve submitted art based around Maniac Mansion.

I actually drew two pieces, but was only allowed to submit one, and so I present to you my alternate illustration (to get you all in the mood) : “Bubble Bobble Cocktail Party”

I’ll be at Emulator on Friday the 23rd for Opening Night.  Come along and say hi! And don’t forget to check out the Kondoot Games!

And I found out that someone reviewed the NSIE book! I had no idea! Here is the review, you can have a listen.

That was lovely.

You can find it here : http://tenfiftyfour.com/illustration

Tell your friends!