Lee Patrick [Johnson]

Here are a few shots from my last collaborative piece with Rachel LaBine and Jan Mun in the TOTEMIC show at the Gelman Gallery.

See the video here on Youtube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scGgYZrbG30

AH, SO I have been extremely busy, but I’m going to start updating my blog again… Here are a few of the projects I was working on during wintersession!

Collaborative Light Installation in CIT (stairwell)

Arduino work (http://www.arduino.cc/).  Cool physical computing stuff, unfortunately I only scratched the surface.

Arduino controlling a programmed switch and LEDs

Arduino programmed to control a DC motor and LEDs through a switch

Digital Media Final Light/Sound installation utilizing MAX MSP ( which can be found here http://cycling74.com/)

When the viewer walked across the faux-flood, which was full of porcelain tiles, the sounds created form the smashing tiles were run through Max MSP, held for 20 seconds, and then output through a set a speakers in the room located at ear level.  Three sets of computers, speakers, and microphones under the floor running simultaneously to encompass the viewer in the distorted sounds they themselves were creating after they heard the initial sounds of the ceramic to create an encompassing, eccentric environment. Lights set under the flood gave the only light to skew the viewer’s perception of the dark space.

This is the floor when the flood lights were on.

Piece 34: #50 – Behind Ladd Observatory on the ground (Obscure place).  This piece was re-gifted, I love the idea.  I’m glad someone found one of my more obscure pieces as well and it made its way to Maine.

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These came from piece #88 at Nice Slice, #59 at the Providence Public Safety Complex, and #62 Janet Zweig.  These all contained great narratives and hilarious difference

Nice Slice: It is too funny that your letter seemed to not care in the slightest about the object.  Pretty much what I expected as an overall response.  Do what you will with the piece; one guy one mug?  I remember being too tired to think of animal noises when I was eccentrically drawing all day and on that cup so a couple of the animals are saying things like “Meep” and “F#@k”.  I’m trying to think how the piece could function for you guys… a door stop?  Tip cup?  Venting frustration?

Frieda: The progression and random means by which the cup came to you is SO GREAT.  The bill you wrote on was perfect.  The perfect thing to write on… the parchment surrounding what connected you to my piece.  I actually changed your address at LCD collection systems in order to force you to go to the Prov. Municipal court thus interact with my piece (joking).  I hope you love Spain, I’ve been there twice myself – great place

Janet: Interesting E-mail and letter (articles ~ which I’m still working on).  You were the only person to comment on the imagery.  You also brought up the idea that the work can be perceived as retrospective as well as relating to the ‘here and now’ (of which most people focused on the present).

Letter received from the Pastor at Olney St. Baptist Church.  I’m glad this could be shared with such a large community.  I didn’t think of that in the slightest.  I wasn’t sure how/if something as community-oriented as an idealistic group would respond.  Interesting community focus in the letter!

This is the beginning or another visual representation of the project (Click to Enlarge).

Here are the statistics regarding the usage of my website from the semester.  Makes sense. (Click to Enlarge)

Hello stranger!

I didn’t see you come in!  Have a seat.

Since you are here I am sure you are wondering why you randomly found a piece of artwork.  I would love to give you a simple explanation but I don’t have an answer.  I attempted to use my skills as an artist to insert curiosity, absurdity and excitement into the world.  It is up to you to decide the their fates and stories.

Where were you when you found it?  How are you doing?  How was finding it for you?  Do you see enough artwork?  Anything you want to tell me can give life to the artwork.  There are no guidelines.

I am placing these 100 objects around Providence to start a dialogue.  Join the conversation in any way!

The Letters: If you send me the letter in return I’ll put it online corresponding to the piece you have with its image and the original location.  I can do this by matching the numbers on the envelopes to the numbers on the bottoms of the pieces.  As you may have realized when you picked up this artwork, the physical presence of an object is incredibly interesting.  I am interested in the presence you give to the letters.

Enjoy – I hope to hear from you!

Disclaimer: If you came to my website before I had a chance to get the images and the google map up you will have to check back a little later!  I may still be around Providence dropping off pieces! Pieces dispersed daily and left indefinitely!

And here is the beginning (Click on Images to enlarge):

Piece 1 : #33 – Rodger Williams Park (As of 12/15/09 this is Still at large)

Piece 2: #57 – Rodger Williams Park

Piece 3: #39 – Charlesgate, 100 Randal St.

Piece 4: #38 – Charlesgate, 100 Randal St.

Piece 5: #36 – North Burial Ground, Armenian Monument

Piece 6: #72 – North Burial Ground, Near a body of water.

Piece 7: #71 – Black minivan in the Benny’s parking lot with a Christmas tree on top

Piece 8: #70 – Branch ave 95 overpass

Piece 9: #12 – Main Post office drive up

Piece 10: #51 – Rhode Island Department of Transportation

Piece 11: #45 – Capital buildling

Piece 12: #47 – Providence train station

Piece 13: #58 – Burnside Park

Piece 14: #65 – Kennedy Plaza

Piece 15: #61 – Apartment Finder box, Westminster and Dorrance

Piece 16: #29 – Johnson and Wales

Piece 17: #40 – Into the post office box on Dorrance and Pine

Piece 18: #63 – Outside the First Universalist church on Green and Washington

Piece 19: #59 – Providence Public Safety complex

Piece 20: #82 – All Saints Memorial Church

Piece 21: #68 – Instructions to Boy on street to give to anyone or keep.  “I don’t like my picture taken”.  I thought he said “I don’t like bitches”

Piece 22: #52 – Central High

Piece 23: #89 – Providence Public Library, next to computer

Piece 24: #76 – Providence Public Library, on a table

Piece 25: #53 – Packett st in an information booth

Piece 26: #60 – Ladder co. 8, Fire Department

Piece 27: #66 – The corner of George and Brook

Piece 28: #62 – Slipped into Janet Zweig’s bag

Piece 29: #54 – Given to Natasha Khanderkar

Piece 30: #7 – Olney St. Baptist Church

Piece 31: #77 – 360 Hope St.  Chabad house Jewish Hospitality Center

Piece 32: #25 – Given to random employee in Clarke Flower Shop, Hope st.

Piece 33: #78 – Empty phone booth on the corner of Hope and Doyle

Piece 34: #50 – Behind Ladd Observatory on the ground (Obscure place)

Piece 35: #19 – Weird tree on the corner of Cole and Freeman

Piece 36: #43 – Bench on Blackstone Blvd.

Piece 37: #56 – Temple Beth~el.  Orchard Ave

Piece 38: #67 – Starbucks, Wayland Sq

Piece 39: #64 – On top of a tall wall on the corner of Arlington and Angell

Piece 40: #88 – On a table in Nice Slice on Thayer st.

Piece 41: #55 – On top of an ATM machine on Thayer st.

Piece 42: #16 – Given to the woman at the Rhode Island Foundation front desk (still there?)

Piece 43: #44 – Left on Providence Place Mall food court table.

Piece 44: #31 – Left on an Outback in the PP Mall parking lot.  It had surfing gear on top and tags about beaches.  It made me remember the fact I live by the beach and never go there.

Piece 45: #32 – Blue Prium (like my Aunt B’s) with a sticker on the gas tank that said “Poodles Rule”.  I agree person, I agree.

Piece 46: #8 – Given to woman working at Coin-Op on Smith St.  As I walked out I heard “Oh, this actually IS a nice mug.”

Piece 47: #4 – Sojorner House on Smith St, “Committed to ending domestic violence”

Piece 48: #49 – Left on monument at Smith Hill Historical Site.

Piece 49: #27 – Random house, 166 Jewett St.

Piece 50: #30 – Billy Talor Park, Cypress and Camp

Piece 51: #42 – 229 Camp St., Evergreen Apartments

Piece 52: #6 – 702 Elmgrove

Piece 53: #62 – Ruffuls Restaurant, given to the waitress

Piece 54: #18 – Given to employee at Mister Sister on Wickenden St.

Piece 55: #46 – Coffee Place on Wickenden… I forgot to write down the name

Piece 56: #17 – Nightingale-Brown House, 357 Benefit st

Piece 57: #35 – Left on table at the RISD Watermark

Here are the letters, e-mails, pictures and posts regarding the pieces that people have responded to.  I’m not altering anything, just exploring meaning.  Send me WHATEVER.  Art has no rules.

Piece 2: #57 – Rodger Williams Park

Posted by Bill Benson on 12.13.09 at 3:17 pm:  Hi, saw yr work this am. Left it where it was, now its gone. Best of luck. Bill

LJ: I’m interested why you didn’t take the piece?

12/14: Lee, I used to live above Steeple street and I would hang paintings all around that area for people to take. I never knew who took them or why, but occasionally I would see one hanging in someone’s house while at a party or someone would ask me if it were mine. I too enjoyed the mystery of coincidence. Now I’m back to photography. Several times this month I have been stopped by the police while out early or late. And I’ve started saying the same thing, I’m not trespassing, I am documenting. And so I try not to manipulate the scene. Maybe if I were just out for a bike ride I’d have taken it. Anyway, now we’re both wondering where it is. I’ll send you some other photos of the piece and feel free to use them all.  Bill

12/15:  Lee, on my way to the cafe today, on my bike, I decided to go through the park and look for more bowls. Half way through I caught something on the ground which was a bit odd because the rangers keep it pretty neat. Its yr letter and bag. Pretty sure you won’t find out where it went now. Bill

LJ: Ha!  How interesting.  I wonder which piece it is.   Did you leave the bag/envelop in place?  I’m interested in the number on the inside of the letter- that will dictate the piece.  I have no clue if anyone will write me back for any of the pieces.  It is all speculation that anyone would care past the commodity.  That is not for me to decide.  Off to disperse more works, Feel free to try to engage the project and find any of the more obscure ones.

Piece 3: #39 – Charlesgate, 100 Randal St.

Posted by Perry Pono on 10.12.09 at 1:29 pm

I found your piece while you were photographing it at the rear of 50 Randall St. and asked what you were doing. Your reply reminded me of a person who left small figures in places throughout the world and thought that was…well I really do not know what I thought until I met you and your explanation on your site of being exposed to art. I guess art is what the viewer sees and what art means to him/her. I like to draw and used to make super heros for my nephew. The hours it took me to make it was worth the reaction I received…bringing a smile to another…Thanks.

Piece 17: #40 – Into the post office box on Dorrance and Pine -  “postage due” slip.  I think this is just as interesting as the vessel.

Piece 28: #62 – Slipped into Janet Zweig’s bag

“Hello Lee,

Last thought before taking a nap: what is this object in my bag? a bowl, a painting, a sculpture, a memento, a totem, an artifact, a gift, a conversation, a strategy. And a magical device to recover childhood memories.

Bests, Janet”

Piece 38: #67 – Starbucks, Wayland Sq

I discovered your beautiful bowl on Tuesday afternoon outside the Starbucks in Wayland Square. I was so humbled to find your piece & delighted. I actually looked around to see if anyone else was around. It was hard for me to believe that the ‘you’ was me!
I’m actually a RISD alumni (2007) from the industrial & graphic design departments. I was inside the Starbucks in Wayland Square studying for my Anatomy final exam. Since RISD, I went back to school to try something completely different. I’ve felt disconnected to art scene & all the amazingly talented, artsy friends I made there. Thank you for brightening up my day and making me feel once again connected. Actually,  my senior degree project focused on the process of giving thanks and (essentially) doing random acts of kindness for people…so I feel like karma has returned in my favor! What a great idea & how fascinating to hear all the different stories from all involved.
Good Luck & thanks again,
Carrie

Piece 56: #17 – Nightingale-Brown House, 357 Benefit st

This Is For You! Did you find a piece? [Is this for you?]

Write to me.  I want to hear from you.

This is the process I went through in order to make the functional pieces.  They are all food/dishwasher safe.  From here I am releasing them into the world.

I started with 250 pounds of clay.

It was thrown (on the pottery wheel) into over 100 objects.

About 90 survived the ceramic processes.

Their story is below.  Now I want to hear yours!