Friday, March 30, 2007

'Recycle' says Metro!
















































I saw these ads in the Metro. I thought it was interesting that they were, in conjunction with Recycle for London, promoting the recycling of old newspapers. It shows that it is a relevant topic of the present time and a nice little booster for my project!!

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

West Ferry Printers tour-17th April, 10pm

"From the live transmission room, where electronic pages are being sent from over ten different editorial sites across the world, to the presses printing 17 newspapers every second, to life size robots transferring reels of paper"

I am in the process of setting up a tour around West Ferry Printers where most of the papers are printed. It's meant to be good fun and v interesting so really looking forward to it. The preliminary date is 17th April, if anyone is interested let me know!!!

Saturday, March 24, 2007

Perforating example


I've just knocked up a quick example of how the perforation idea would work.
There would be a normal looking newspaper but on every page there's a different use. For example, page one will be covered in vinegar, and perforated around the edge so you can punch it out and clean the windows, the second page will be perforated in a shape of a boat (white dashed lines on drawing) so you can punch it out of the paper and fold it in to a boat, following the instructions on the side. And so on...
Or the other idea is to open a normal looking paper which folds out in to a massive wall hanging that you put on your wall and use the different sections when needed. Very inital ideas at the mo!

Friday, March 23, 2007

Perforating tools...

I've been searching all over for a circular perforating tool and have finally found one, it's on order. I look forward to experimenting!





















I have begun to look at possible ways to perforate the paper. This is one of my possible outcomes but relies heavily on how the perforation looks so i will continue to investigate the art of perforation and try out some samples!

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

83 uses for the newspaper...

1. use as umbrella when caught in rain.

2. protect carseats from muddy or wet clothing.

3. spread over outdoor benches to protect clothing.

4. put into loose shoes to tighten.

5. stuff in leather shoes to preserve shape.

6. stuff in wet shoes overnight to dry and deodorize.

7. crumple and place in suitcase for couple of weeks to remove stale odors.

8. use as mat when polishing shoes.

9. stuff hats to keep their shape.

10. wrapping up fish and chips.

11. wrap around candle bottoms so they'll fit holders tighter.

12. store records between sheets.

13. use as padding under a table cloth.

14. cover store windows when remodeling.

15. cover furniture when away on vacation.

16. cover furniture when sanding or painting.

17. spread on floor underneath rug when shampooing.

18. dampen and spread over window-panes before painting.

19. use to dry and polish window after washing.

20. dampen a bit and use to clean typewriter keys.

21. make origami.

22. fold to make a sheath for a knife.

23. place in closed windows to eliminate wind rattle.

24. stuff under doors and in cracks to stop cold wind from coming in.

25. use as a bounce reflector when taking flash photographs or use to reflect sunlight into shadow areas.

26. place a sheet in jar tops to tighten loose lids.

27. papier mache.

28. make dress patterns.

29. protect table when children are painting or gluing.

30. use as wallpaper for a doll house.

31. make paper chains.

32. make paper dolls.

33. toilet paper.

34. make kites.

35. make party hats.

36. occupy children by letting them color and paint the cartoons.

37. make a child's play tent.

38. use to raise height of child at table.

39. use as a stepstool.

40. cut out articles and make a scrap book on a specific. subject of interest to you.

41. emergency pot holder.

42. use to remove heavy grease from oven.

43. emergency dust pan.

44. roll, secure in middle with elastic and fringe one end to use to get rid of cobwebs.

45. start fires.

46. use as a fan to make fires burn better.

47. sharpen pencils by rubbing the point on newspaper.

48. muffle a loud alarm clock.

49. muffle the sound of a typewriter by using as a mat underneath.

50. place under heavy objects on wooden tables.

51. spread out between garden rows to discourage weeds.

52. use to wrap green tomatoes to ripen.

53. cover plants during a frost.

54. use as a knee pad when gardening or scrubbing floors.

55. roll and use as a funnel.

56. roll and use as a torch.

57. roll and use as a megaphone outdoors.

58. use folded sheets as a fan to keep cool.

59. use as sun shade at spectator events.

60. use as a mat for wet darkroom photographs.

61. shred and stuff in vases to help support fresh flowers.

62. put under car wheels when stuck in snow, mud or sand.

63. line storage boxes.

64. line bottom of bird cage.

65. line shelves.

66. paper towels.

67. line a pet's sleeping box.

68. swat flies with rolled up sheets.

69. use to wipe paint brushes.

70. use as mat for wet, muddy boots.

71. shred and use for packing breakables.

72. wrap and store Christmas tree ornaments.

73. wrap around ice cream to keep frozen.

74. roll around baby bottle to insulate.

75. use as a blotter.

76. put inside coat for emergency warmth.

77. use as emergency wrapping paper/ pass-the-parcel.

78. place on windshield to prevent icing.

79. make a litter bag for your car.

80. make egg cartons

81. Making blackmail or ransom notes!

82. Transfer printing

83. Folded and cut to make giant, magic growing ladders and palm trees!

Thursday, March 8, 2007

The Brief...

It has been said that newspapers will ‘check out in 2044’, and with this in mind I want to maintain the production of the newspaper.

In the same way people have a feel for vinyl as of new digital music formats, newsprint has a quality that the internet and other new medias don’t.

People use newspapers for so many things other than just a format for reading the news, such as insulation, doodling, making fires; and in the past, wrapping fish and chips, cleaning windows, fly swotting etc.

I will be looking to turn the newspaper into the ultimate versatile product. Persuading people to buy the newspaper to use, not just to read.

I will absorb myself into the newspaper and focus my thoughts on the sensory issue, the history, and scale, of the paper.


Possible outcomes:

Create a newspaper with a twist-when opened each page is perforated, ready to rip out to use for specific purposes. For example, a page is covered in vinegar ready for window cleaning, Or instructions on how to make a paper boat.

Or create a newspaper that folds out into a massive poster/wall hanging, which you hang up on the wall and punch out the perforated shapes for use when needed.

Or the idea of promoting the newspaper as a product - no need to buy windolene, use the newspaper. This could be in the form of a TV advert.

Or a retrospective...

The outcome of this FMP could take many forms- a newspaper itself with a twist, a newspaper sculpture, a witty film, adverts, poster campaign.