Digital Graffiti – Lazer tagging

An aerospace engineer and designer of some of NASA’s latest projects has jacked in his day job to explore the space between new media art and “super genius” technology. Based from Eyebeam, a US based creative technology center, James Powderly and partner in pixel crime, Evan Roth are creating some very clever experiments in modern digital technology and urban creativity.

The video below shows their impressive lazer tagging technique, which allows these digital vandals to  slap their tags on the world’s famous landmarks and cities, and all with out any risk of being arrested.

But the most impressive part of this story is what the duo managed to achieve with leading LA graffiti artist, Tony Quan, AKA Tempt. A pioneer of the 80′s LA graffiti scene, Quan has suffered from a rare disease which has left him largely paralyzed since 2003, but he retains full mental capability and eye movement. The frustration he must feel at not being able to express his highly creative mind is unimaginable.

But within just a few day, Powderly and Roth adapted the lazer tagging system to create the Eye Writer system specifically for Quan, so he can once again make his mark on the urban landscape.   Truly inspiring stuff !

Check out more digital vandalism and even a robo-tagger over at Temptone.

Donkey Kong taking out skyscrapers, Arkanoid smashes down bridges and Pacman runs riot on the subway, Pixels is an ambitious short film from parisean outfit One More Production.

The devastating effect the world’s increasing hunger for palm oil was apparent from my own visits to Sumatra to see orangutans (translates literally to “man of the forest”) in the their natural habitat. The long journey to the national park took me through huge expanses of  plantations rapidly encroaching on the remaining pristine habitat of our lovable ginger relatives.

Nestle – Give the orangutans a break!

Greenpeace have cleverly adopted the tag line from the UK’s top selling chocolate bar, and one of Nestle’s most popular brands – Kit Kat. Now that’s got to hurt. Obviously, Nestle aren’t happy about this so are doing everything they can to remove the video from tube sites across the web, so Greenpeace have made it available for download so you can distribute it your self.

Plenty of manufacturers of FMCG’s are separating themselves from the worst of the orangutan habitat destroyers, but Nestle are yet to budge. Let’s make it interesting for them…

You may well be a wondering what an art toy is doing in a digital marketing site. Brian Donnelly, the guy behind Kaws and the OriginalFake brand has made it into Fast’s 100 Most Creative people in business.

I have been  a massive fan if urban vinyl art since my time in Asia, and lucky enough to own a few gems from Michael Lau and Eric So. Urban vinyl artists have big brands queuing up to be considered for a collaboration pieces. Both Nike and Adidas were quick to recognize the potential to gain institutional art and street credibility in one swoop.  Donnely’s roots lie in graffiti and street art but now enjoys courtships with the likes of Levi and Nike mega-brands.

Check out the Kaws site, but you won’t find much…we always want want we can’t have.