SMILE!!!

Off Campus

The IUSARTCAR has now been moved off campus, temporarily stored in Donna's driveway while Debra is in San Francisco.  Driving the van on the streets is an enjoyable experience.  While I was maneuvering the traffic during rush hour, two different people stuck cellphones out of their car windows to shoot pictures, others pointed, waved, laughed....a few pretended they didn't see me, although I know they did; I mean, seriously.  What's also interesting when you drive the IUSARTCAR, is that you end up waving also, sometimes to people who didn't wave first.  We should have designed a uniform for the driver(s) to wear! (What happened to that blond wig from Fargo?)

WE'RE EXPOSED (unveiled)

After the parachute was removed the appreciative crowd moved around the IUSARTCAR noting all the interesting details and surprises. 
As the crowd began heading off in different direction, some started moving into the IUSARTCAR just to keep warm. We'll leave it at McCullough Plaza for a day or so before finding a safe place for it to rest a while.

We loaded the stove, milk, cider, cups and a table into the back of Ben's truck and hauled it over to the IUSARTCAR site for the unveiling today. It was very cold and windy, but we've gotten kind of used to being in the cold since our studio where our work was done was usually colder that it was outside. It was, after all, designed to be a cold environment.

As we approached the noon-hour, a small group started to gather around. I heard someone in the crowd say "move that bus." The parachute was flapping in the wind as though it wanted to expedite the process, and so at noon it happened.  Everyone pulled the multi-colored cloth off and from the crowd there were audible gasps, laughter, and oh-my-goshes, followed by applause. My very brief comment during the final count down was that the IUSARTCAR was, in fact, a rare exception to the notion that too many cooks spoil the both. It pulled together beautifully, especially in the last two weeks when all those small details got addressed.

Nicely done, gang. 

LEAVING MELLWOOD

The IUSARTCAR ready fot its trip to campus.
Debra peering through the icy mist that the windshield wipers wouldn't touch.

The GPS giving directions to the IUS campus.

Parked and parachuted in Mc Cullough Plaza; ready for the unveiling.

Tonight Debra and I drove to Mellwood to finish cleaning up and getting the IUSARTCAR ready for its trip to the IUS campus.  It was very cold and wet; really cold and wet!  I was pleasantly surprised  to find the garage in order, the newest decal applied, and both sides clear-coated. Debra and I finished cleaning up, loading things into the back of my car, and then waited around for any takers on the trip back to campus; there were none. Hmmmm. So I left my car there and climbed into the van for its maiden voyage as an art car instead of a soccer mom car. It was a rich experience, full of interesting surprises.  We got lots of interesting looks and waves, we listened for parts and pieces loosening and ejecting from the car body (it didn't happen).  Especially pleasant was the beads in the back jingling  like "coins".  We tried to see the road through the gossamer film from in-effective windshield wipers ( an overlooked detail). Everything stayed tight, in place, and survived the trip.

After the long circuitous voyage back to campus, we arrived at McCullough Plaza for our two days stay in public view. We're in the Plaza instead of in front of our beautiful Library because of the two inch rainfall and the above freezing temperatures.  There was fear the van would sink into oblivion.  We were greeted by Amanda, Brent, and......  that was it...hmmmmm.   We covered it with a brightly colored parachute that Annie provided.  However, little did we know that the wind would be so brisk that the parachute almost took off to unknown regions of the adjacent parking lot.  We called Brian Harper, our newest ceramics professor, and he donated bricks to anchor the parachute.  We're set for the unveiling, and the forecast is freezing rain. We can only hope for the best with hot chocolate and cider provided.

C'mon over to the IUS campus, Thursday, noon.  Hope to see you there.

WRAPPING UP!

Kristy and I got most of the detailing done today, although the seat belts still look awful, but at least the mounts look good.  It was pouring down rain so I moved the van back away from the dripping ceiling and due to the humidity, the detailing, especially the trim work, would not dry. We left all the doors ajar so they wouldn't be sealed shut.

What's left?  Cleaning the windows, applying the new "IUS Fine Arts" decal, clear-coating the decaled areas, mounting the 'sparkled' hubcaps, cleaning the garage.  I can do the clear-coating when I come over, or if you want to do it, have at it.  I expect/assume this will be done tomorrow while I'm in the afternoon Printmaking Critique. Of course, Julie and Brent won't be able to make it over until after the critique.  We will bring the van to campus around 7:00 p.m. If there could be a car pool over to Mellwood, some of you could ride back to campus in the van.  I pulled it out into the sun yesterday and everyone that drove by slowed to gawk at the majesty of it! It's getting lots of attention, and once Kaitlin gets the last decal on, it will be in its most finished state.  I'll be there after my critique.

Donna will have some plywood tire supports to keep us from sinking into the ground and I'm supposed to call the IUS Police to let them know as we're arriving tomorrow after dark.  I love the idea of sneaking onto campus under the cloak of darkness!

See you tomorrow for the journey to campus.

For Tuesday, December 9, 2008

I've emailed everyone a punch list, things to do before we leave Mellwood for the IUS campus on Wednesday night. It's extensive, but shouldn't take too long to accomplish.  First and foremost, Pasqualle is now Pascalle.  My mistake for the past three years and throughout the entire semester on the blog. Sorry Kaitlin for arguing with you about the spelling.  Maybe we can change it by hand.

Tomorrow (Tuesday, December 9, 2008) we'll meet on campus during regular class time to deal with some bureaucratic stuff and then move on to Mellwood to deal with the punch list. The artcar is looking really good, but those finishing touches will make a big difference in how we look with folks moving around the car on Thursday during the unveiling.

We have to get rid of the garbage we've accumulated in the last few months. I'll bring garbage bags, and if each of you could take one with you when you leave, it would make it easier on everyone.

See you tomorrow.   

Sunday/Pearl Harbor/Jamie's B-Day

Rooftop additions....
Kaitlin's roster and Jamie's detailing.
New carpet!!

I got to Mellwood this morning about 10:00 and putzed around with various tasks until Adam got there. We began working on the carpeting both wishing it had a bit more bulk, but for a donation it really did give a much cleaner appearance. The final analysis was that it looked pretty good, and I think we were both pretty pleased with that effort. Jamie came by and helped with some detailing, cleaning up on the roster decal for the most part. Today was his 26th birthday so I didn't have any issues about him leaving to go to the various celebrations that had been scheduled throughout the city. That was it for workers today!

Debra came by and did some additional 'foaming' on the roof and will return tomorrow to finish that up with some painting.  The eyeball and the legs now have a connection. We're very close. This was a very slow weekend with few of you stopping by to see what you could do to add something to the final resolution.  There are some details that need to be addressed, the space needs to be cleaned out, and our stuff needs to be hauled out.  How about a team coming over on Tuesday after we meet on campus?