Artlet

I stumbled upon a movement of sorts called "Artlet". Although I am curious to hear what Evan, Francis, Rosie, Misha, and Maddie think about it, I think it has relevance to many other projects and discussion from this semester. Artlet = Art-lite. A booklet is to a book, as artlet is to art. The founders of Artlet have some really interesting ideas about what an Artlet is, how it came about, and how to participate. Some provocative quotes from their "manifesto" (I'm applying that term here):

the artist’s interference should be minimal, production skills negligible. In case some degree of craftsmanship is required, it is provided by a hired hand.

The important feature of artlet is that you can get a practically comprehensive idea of an object through its photo- or video representation.

The most important point is that it should be wacky, zany or funny, but never boring.

Main artlet techniques

Take a single object and multiply it

Take a large object and turn it upside down

To construct a recognizable object from the “improper”, paradoxical parts

Take two or more objects from incompatible contexts and combine them

Recombination - deconstructing the object and re-constructing it in a “wrong” way

Take something small and magnify it considerably

Why Artlet Appeared

Industrial production killing craftsmanship, domination of media images, dramatic growth of consumer goods production. Focussing attention on designer products. ...Every internet user today can be a producer, editor, publisher and distributor of the content (in case of artlet – their own works). 

Internet

Blogs are the main channel for artlet to spread. Proliferous, visually bright objects of artlet satisfy the need of internet-media for constant renewal of art content. ...more and more artists, whether they realize it or not, strive to create works that look good on internet sites.