blogs, links, events and art from the teens behind ►

After working for over 50 hours in the last four days I have to say that as I walked away from Don’t Sleep On It I was extremely tired. But I found myself wishing about an hour after it finished that I was still in that small room in the California Building creating another three hour installation.

Don’t Sleep On It was a huge success. Aside from the issue of the time-lapse video going out for 12 hours, everything went off without a hitch. This was due in large part to all of the artists, and their commitment to keep all of our participants motivated through their sleep-walking/arting.

Thanks to Erin and Brett Smith for the convenience store, Chris Pennington for the cardboard city, Hardland/Heartland for the black hole (with help from M-Deathsquads), Burlesque for the BRLSQOTHEQUE (and the wall of bass), Kristina Mooney for the misty mountain landscape, Liz Miller for the felt and burlap oasis, Scott Stulen and Andy Ducett for the couch-fort/pastel-polygon, and lastly Broken Crow for the porcupine and spray paint free-for-all. Each of these installations were amazing and surprisingly different.

I’d also personally like to thank WACTAC for their commitment to staying awake and helping remove trash and debris while everyone else was making art. Nick & Shannon, word up.

Biggest thanks goes to Witt Siasoco, who essentially went stir crazy for the sake of an awesome event. Witt, unlike the rest of us, didn’t get to sleep very much, as he had to go back to the California Building this morning to take care of more business. Way to take the event title to heart, homie.

Thanks to all of our participants, sponsers and funders. There will be a slew of photos plus the time-lapse of half of the event in the upcoming days, so be on the look-out for that.

I’m going back to bed now.

Spike Jonze started a blog a few weeks ago. He’s got tons of goodies about the upcoming “Where The Wild Things Are” adaptation, and if your as PUMPED as i am about the video, you will check the blog everyday.

Are you a young artist (age 15- 19)?Apply to be on the Walker Art Center Teen Arts Council!

Deadline to apply: FRIDAY,  MAY 29!

What is WACTAC?

The Walker Art Center Teen Arts Council (WACTAC) is a group of 12 students who work with the Walker to produce programming that connects teenagers to contemporary art and artists. Past projects have included teen art exhibitions, performances, film screenings, artist talks, workshops, events, and marketing materials.

Who is eligible to apply?

We art looking for opinionated, self-motivated teenagers with a wide variety of experiences, interests, and skills.

What are the benefits of being a WACTAC member?

Meet and work with world-renowned visual artists, performers, and filmmakers. Collaborate with other teenagers from a wide range of backgrounds. Receive free tickets to Walker exhibitions, performances, and films.

What is the time committment?

Meetings are held weekly during the school year and last approximately 90 minutes.

How do I apply?

Provide your contact information (name, mailing address, age, school, phone, e-mail), anwer the questions below, and mail to: Teen Programs, Walker Art Center, 1750 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis MN, 55403

1. Why do you want to be on WACTAC?

2. Do you participate in other groups or activities? Please describe.

3. Are you an artist? If so, what media do you work with?

4.  What are three events or workshops that you  would like to see happen in the Twin Cities?

5. Tell us about your favorite artists, writers, thinkers, or social leaders.

6. If you are an artist, please provide a sample of your work. This can be a sketch, music sample, collage, photograph, URL, poem, video, etc. DO NOT send original work. We are looking for something that tells us more about you and your interests.

This is at 3 am (10 hours after the event started)!

Waiver

Click the above link to access the waiver. If you’re under 18 please print it out and have a parent or guardian sign it. See you at the event!

This was projected on a building in San Francisco. They used multiple projectors synced up to a computer with special software that calculates the distance, angle and surface shape of the building. I guess it only took them a few days to set all of it up.

Calling all aspiring/established/amateur filmmakers!

Film still by Dallas Cornell

Deadline for submissions:  MONDAY, JUNE 1

Each year, after the St. Anthony Main fireworks, The Soap Factory holds the Ten Second Film Festival. This festival is a raucous, outdoor screening of the top 100 funniest, dumbest, cleverest, and sometimes most thought-provoking ten second films you’ll ever see. Anyone can submit a film and they’re usually pretty low-tech (as is perfectly obvious from some of the previous years’ footage!). It’s a great opportunity to be shown at a leading art gallery. Most films are made on low-tech, alternative movie-making devices, so whip out those cell phones, digital cameras, and iphones and make some ten second magic!

Submission guidelines can be found on The Soap Factory’s website. Email all film submissions to tensecondfilmfest@gmail.com.

For inspiration, check out previous years’ winners on YouTube.

I showed up at 6pm on Friday, to just hang with some friends up on the 4^th floor, but we all found it hard not to immediately find our way over to Don’t Sleep on It. Brett and Erin started it off with a blast, having more than 20 teens making their products from “Orphan in a Box” to “Canned Galaxy.”

Next was Chris, who upon giving quick instructions, had a civilization built within an hour, complete with a zoo, streets, small homes, multiple attacks with everything from paper balls to giant obelisks, and even Darth Vader waiting to give you a high five.

Right after Chris was Hardland/Heartland. At this point almost everyone who was there had had multiple energy drinks and tons of soda and when they were told to tear down the civilization that they built, there was no hesitation, it went down in less than a minute. This was followed by black walls and pumping music that overflowed right into Burlesque’s rave cave complete with album covered walls and cardboard box speakers.

At this point I was 12 hours in, after a 12 hour day of work.

At about this time I met with another teen my age who was working on his submission for the latest Bombing Science sketch battle, my conversation with him about the differing styles of Midwest graffiti in Minneapolis helped wake me up a bit.

But, next came Kristina Mooney and her sunshine crew, who, as they immediately started printing golden suns on the wall, seemed to coax out the early morning sun. The beautiful landscapes and bright clouds gave everyone a huge boost. As Kristina Mooney finished up in came Liz Miller with all of her felt designs and automatic scissors which everyone immediately wanted. Soon came a sprawl of fabrics that covered the space with a leisurely feel.

This is where my stay at Don’t Sleep on It ended; I was tired, having spent my more than 24 hours without even a poser nap. As I helped bring in Scott’s “priceless” antiques, it was time for me to leave. I have heard about all of the other’s who changing of the space was fantastic, and I am sorry to have missed both Scott’s stay and Broken Crow’s giant monsters.

I wish I could have stayed as long as Emmanuel, but then again he did sleep in the moving truck, and I wish Don’t Sleep On It wouldn’t have messed with my sleeping schedule as you can see as I am posting this at 1:30 in the morning.

Thank you everyone that was awesome!

I can’t believe we made it through this madness.