Flying Machines a Show of Uncreatables Part 1

This spring I was invited to participate in a show entitled Flying Machines a Show of Uncreatables curated by Staci Offutt and Natalie Conti.  
This is the premise of the show:


Flying Machines is a salon style exhibition of proposals, blueprints, partially created work, illustrated machines and futuristic designs by some of the art world's most daring dreamers. These artists took on the challenge presented by curators Natalie Conti and Staci Offutt of thinking the unthinkable and creating highly detailed and carefully calculated plans for uncreatable art objects. These are works that can't actually be fully realized due to constraints such as gravity, time allowance, fiscal limitations, engineering impossibilities or lack of adherence to basic physics. These unique inventions are explorations into the depths of the imagination. They stretch the edges of our known reality and present us with something new, fresh, and extraordinary. 


It was the first time I have been challenged to create something without a constraint easy in concept harder to execute.  I had to pursue my current passion getting out the vote.  So I decided to use the format of a formal proposal.

“Taking it to the Streets”#10 Protest Series

by Penny Mateer

Background:  Graffiti street art is typically found on vacant buildings, concrete expanses or temporary facades.  Yarn bombing decorates manmade structures or natural habitats.

Proposal:  Banner Blasts.  Banner blasts are the fusion of both concepts:  temporary art banners made to attach to commercial structures.  

Vote! banner blasts will be installed in high traffic area environments:

grocery stores and gas stations.  The banner design will capture attention and attract new customers which is good for business while the message will fulfill the goal of the artist to promote civic engagement. Great persuasion skills are a requirement for participation in this project as banners will be installed on commercial property.

Construction:  Appliquéd nylon banners.  A breathable print mesh background with a collection of stars-and-stripes printed patterns on rip-stop nylon for lettering and punctuation will be used (see cotton mock-ups).

Three sizes:  3’ x 10’, 4’ x 15’, 6’ x 20’.  Banners will be hung from reinforced grommet holes and attached using bungee cords and rope as needed.  Estimated total yardage of all designs required will be assessed.  Individual banner size is site-dependent.

Assembly:  Cutters and stitchers will be needed to construct banners. School districts, quilt groups, all manner of fiber enthusiasts, and politically-engaged individuals will be contacted.  Social media will be used to generate interest.

Installation Locations:  Grocery stores and gas stations with 152 zip codes. Future expansion to include more suburbs.  Giant Eagle (24),  Shop ‘n Save (11),  Family Dollar (10),  Dollar Tree (7),  Wal-Mart (2), and  Gas Stations (approximately 240) various companies (TBD).

Workers needed:  1:  A committee of individuals to seek permission from store or station managers to install banners at specified sites. This is an opportunity to engage in conversation about the importance of voter participation and to stress it is a non-partisan effort.  Great persuasion skills are a must.

2:  Installers 2 -3 per team with a van or truck, tools and ladders.

Timeline:  One year preparation to secure permission, determine yardage to be printed, and assemble banners. 

Install 5 days prior to Election Day and remove shortly after Election Day, and store in storage unit.

I designed two different types of banners and made mock ups. (It was hung next to a window photography is not my strong strong suit so please forgive the glare.)

The show is on exhibit in The Headkeeper in Greensburg a gem of a place to hang out. The exhibit is on view until May 21st.