Faculty of Arts and Letters, Aix-en-Provence
Arduino, lcd screen, copper tape, pen
Dimensions variable
Below is a video showing the early stages of the process.
How is this work a homage to John Baldessari?
This digital piece, created during a two-week Arduino program, honors the legacy of John Baldessari, an artist celebrated for his lighthearted and conceptual approach to art. The artist was influenced by the news of Baldessari's passing, which occurred just as the program began, and decided to incorporate his famous phrase, "I will not make boring art," into the project.
Utilizing a 2-line LCD screen connected to an Arduino, the artist focused on a text-based installation, constrained by the screen's character limitations. Participants in the installation were guided by the Arduino to pick up a copper-taped pen and write down the phrase "I will not make boring art." The Arduino recorded the time taken and displayed a playful response on the screen, providing suggestions such as "Date an artist," "Move to Berlin," or "Die"—each offering a humorous take on how to avoid creating boring art.
This installation was a creative and immediate response to both the constraints of the medium and the inspiration drawn from Baldessari, engaging participants in a thoughtful yet playful exploration of art and interactivity. It was particularly enjoyable to see teachers and students lining up to write their promise, "I will not make boring art," reminiscent of Bart Simpson’s chalkboard lines in detention, but with an added dimension of the digital intervention.