February 15, 2006
Graffiti Artists Attack Building With LEDs!
Holy shit-- we knew the Eyebeam kids were doing some insane graffiti research, but this video is just nuts. Apparently they've found a way to make "LED throwies", little balls of LEDs that can be thrown and stuck to walls. In the video, you see them making the devices, and then throwing a hundred or more at the walls of the art gallery on the corner of 23rd and 10th Avenue. Nutty stuff-- more info as it becomes available.
|
Advertisement: Gothamist Continues Below!
Post a comment (Comment Policy)
LED= 'light emitting device'?
Just a guess...
www.forgotten-ny.com
yea Kevin, that's a really cool idea. I wonder what they use to get them to stick.
as pictured, this is not graffiti since they have the owner's permission.
http://www.instructables.com/ex/i/7DBB34EAEDFF1028A1FC001143E7E506/?ALLSTEPS
Thats the place that shows how to make them. COOOL!
Does anyone know the name of that song in the video?
LED = Light Emitting Diode
the song is "heartbeats" by jose gonzalez.
Apparently it uses a magnet to adhere to the surface:
"Graffiti artist" is an oxymoron. Generally moron, too, but that's another story.
None of Eyebeam's stuff is graffiti because they always get permission. What they do is legitimate art, even if it doesn't appeal to everyone. It would only be vandalism and thus akin to graffiti if somebody were to steal some of these Throwies.
inexpensive my ass
I actually think the idea is cool. The simplcity and ingenuity is great. But there is one really big sticking point about these devices. The Lithium battries used are highly toxic and the litium reactes very violently when exposed to water. The fumes are quite toxic. There's a reason why cell-phone batteries are sealed in plastic and why devices that use these batteries for "normal" use make sure the battery is really tucked away. Litium is not a pleasant subsstance.
So Eyebeam is basically encouraging people to take these batteries--as part of the device--and magnetically stick them to exposed outside surfaces? Such as walls and lightposts that are exposed to the weather and elements?
Love the effect. But don't love the idea of the amount of toxic junk that will be exposed to the world for a simple art project. And beyond that don't love the level of manmade waste these things create.
take a drink, gothamist drinking game participants!
Jack, you might want to check your facts. Lithium ion batteries do not use free elemental lithium. They use lithium compounds that don't react with water and don't create toxic fumes unless they're burned.
Which is not to say I disagree with your concern about the waste. I feel the same way whenever I see those kids' sneakers with LEDs that flash with every step. Waste of resources for something completely frivolous. I always recycle my batteries and use rechargeables whenever possible.
Sort of cool, though a tad precious, with that drawn out video and bittersweet music. If they were to slap some of those sparkles on something that actually needed sprucing I'd like that.
to fully grasp that video, it may be helpful to watch the absolutely mind blowing commercial for the sony bravia tv:
http://www.bravia-advert.com/