sign comment

i also agree with the general consensus for the window design. 1 for for design and 2 for the hours. i appreciate what is being said about the sign as a barrier to the space and that maybe the sign could be smaller so that passers by can still look in. i dont know if anyone else is feeling this way but after an agreement was reached on a window sign for the space, it feels like we are always moving 1 step forward two steps back if we go back on/reconsider ideas that are already underway, especially with the time that we have left (which is passing by fast). theres no reason why we cant continue with the sign and keep it small and low key whilst still keeping the majority of window space for further projects.
kate 2/9/05

Paul 2/9/2005 9pm
I was standing out front of the space on Monday and noticed the afterimage of a past sign that said "puppies". It had been painted in 10 inch tall letters on the angled glass by the door. I've been thinking about the sign and all. As my other post indicated I like the idea of type in the window; it's power and connection to things, but have hesitations. I think the main hesitation is the permanence. I really like the excitement over putting something in the window and have been thinking about how to maximize or extend that imagination. How about the window as a possible project space. A large poster or word piece (or site) that operates in the vernacular of the storefront entity and activity (cultural, economic, consumptive). We all look to store windows as sites of potential imagination and desire. That context is a great set-up for some engaging and imaginative projects. If the project is just us advertising that we are there, then it becomes about us. I guess I like the idea of doing a text piece that operates in the vernacular and idea space of the "rock shop", but why constrain it with the possible confusion over who we are "civic studio"? Also, why commit to a long-term statement "Us as the rock shop" before we know what else to do about it? Why not mildly identify ourselves as the civic studio project- like maybe on the door - and then do a piece that is separate and temporary - about the rock shop and it's type. This part could be temporary and the space could be used for other engagements throughout the semester; especially if we get the sign painting process down. As with other things I think there should be a discursive process to the setting and curating of such works, but I really like that concepting is direct and fast, and it is a big effect for the effort. I think that one of our biggest potential audiences is people in cars. We could begin a dialogue.
There is some interesting contemporary work that uses type. And some engaging folk works as well.

I think that they both are nice but I am a bit skeptical of the enlarged text of the rock shop I think that the larger text should be the fact thet we are the civic studio not the rock shop.
I think there should be more discussion about signage before we begin to paint.

Zona-

I am into #2.

woah boy
nice job
i like 1 for the sign
and
2 for the hours posting.
yum.
jenn

I AM WITH JENN #1 for sign, #2 for hours posted. Looks great!
I wanted to comment on the paint thinning better with "reducers" and not "thinners," there is a reducer used in printmaking called Miracle Gel Reducer, maybe it would work? It is slimy, clear, and squishy~J. Pope

On the sign - I like the look and how it resonates with the history of the building. It takes on the persona of the Rock Shop. We should talk about adopting the rock shop name - i generally like the idea but we should talk it through as a group - and think about what it opens up and what it closes down.
I do think that we should somehow deal with Rock Shop and Civicstudio in context. Maybe CIvic Studio at the Rock Shop, or possibly make civic studio larger in comparison to rock shop. ????? It might help if the overall sign was a bit smaller than your prototypes -so whatever we might put in the windows can gain it's own context as well. Color works relative to what is behind it and glass is often dark. Lighter colors show up on this, but if the color is overly bright it looks out of sync with the building.
There is an overhead projector in the studio. I don't know if it works, but with some transparencies and laser printer, you could print the final design on a clear sheet and then project it on the glass. A china marker might work to transfer.
Another alternative to painting is cut vinyl signs. These are done from vector files and cut in strips that are 13 inches wide. Kendall's gallery does this on the side. We could look into that, but the sign painting sounds cool.

Here are some glass painting instructions I found on the internet:

"One Shot" "Chromatic" sign paint, on outside of very clean glass. Don't let the oil from your hand contaminate surface. Squirrel hair quil is good brush choice. Check for "sign supply" in your area, or dick blick or atlanta artist co-op. BTW use cellophane tape for tops and bottoms of "square" letter strokes. Also "reducers" are better than thinners for this type of paint. Paper pattern can be placed on inside of glass. Oh,yeah... be prepared for people watching, and talking over your shoulder!!
I ve painted signs for 30 years...I paint on the inside of the glass so no one can scrape the outside off also it looks cleaner...

I would use sign quality enamels and sign brushes and put my pattern or my layout on the outside and paint in reverse... some times you have to come back and coat it twice
paul 2/9

paul i like how you mention the 30 years of sign painting very legit.
maybe a question to ask ourselves as a group is if having the sign works as a barrier or advertizement. i like how civic studio takes on a bit of the identity of the rock shop... its different then say alabama or lyon...one of the reason's it is different is because we are in the rock shop.
jenn s

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group message board last edited on 13 April 2005 at 8:07 pm by ppp-69-214-6-193.dsl.klmzmi.ameritech.net.