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“I do it not because I’m ‘fixed’ or healed... but because I’m broken.” Well, maybe I should begin by introducing the book of explanation included with the "Pauper Project 2007" finished product...
the first page of which said... T he
B rok en Rec ord Featuring
lyrics from NOISE FROM WORDS and
additional pages further explained...
To announce the project this year, a couple different tactics were
employed. The first was an e-mail to
past participants and other potentially interested parties that consisted of [the
flyer
you've all seen on the page calling for submissions] …which
was also used in the “About” section of a myspace page created to help make
some “noise” about “Pauper Project 2007”. ...with a printout of the myspace page inserted next...after which came a page that said... …and
which led to receipt of the first
submissions. And, once these all
arrived, they were added to a few raw materials – well, okay, a “mess of
things”…
–
to aid in turning them into … T he
B rok en Rec ord
…the
title of which, of course, pays homage to the fact NOISE
FROM WORDS comes from the song
“Broken” – a theme carried through by use of many broken records!
...next came the usual list of contributors... and, of course, an explanation of... ..what’s
the point you ask… What
else? To wish CONGRATULATIONS
on the achievement that is…
…and,
of course, a very… HAPPY
BIRTHDAY!!! From
all of us sharing in your gift… ------------------ Something that indeed started with quite a mess!
...AND a bit of sustenance that's become a key to creativity ever since a Chicago friend sent me a box last year -- and for this endeavor made sure I had a fresh supply...Frango chocolate mints -- originated by longtime Chicago institution, Marshall Fields...
So, fueled by Frango, work began. First, the black backboard of a 30" x 40" shadow box was lightly spray painted to provide a mottled effect. Then a bunch of vinyl records -- in various colors (a fortuitous ebay purchase!) -- were broken into pieces to serve as bases for the many fantastic submissions sent by the pauper community. These were arranged on the board...
...along with pieces of an enlarged version of the Noise From Words CD cover (i.e. the magnificent artwork of Brian Fitzpatrick), and, of course, an appropriately fashioned title presentation...
Also added at top and bottom respectively were pieces which said...
...which, of course, represents the span of material covered by the album (beginning with "Mess of Things" and concluding with "I Shall Be Healed"). So, too, is this "broken record" that starts with a "mess" of pieces "healed" by the time it reaches its own conclusion -- in the form of a "whole" version of the album in LP format, complete with an "album jacket" (yes, this project does correlate with the 2005 one, as that was all about "covering" the "mystery album" Michael was then working on -- which ultimately became Noise From Words).
So, what does it look like in its entirety? Check it out!!!
Of course, by this time the Frangos were running a bit low...
...and there was still quite a bit of work to do. The whole thing had to be shrinkwrapped...
...on which those stickers some of you may remember accidentally omitted from the aforementiond "Album Jacket" finally found an even more appropriate home!
And, while that almost wraps up...
...the main gift (note the FedEx labels on those boxes -- the story signified by which appears in the August issue of "Mil Mania"...and which I've now added to the Random Rants section of this site)... ...there was still some type of suitable item needed to contain all the cards and gifts sent by participants as the second part of each's submission. And, although it may not be particularly fancy, here's what I came up with to serve the purpose...
...which object, along with the explanatory book at the top of this page, occupied the smaller of the two boxes pictured a few photos above. Well, that's it. What do you think?!? I hope everyone involved -- and especially Michael -- have found this a both fun and meaningful celebration of his life and latest work. Thank you again to everyone involved. Mil
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