charles truett projects

Roadside Memorials

2008-11-07T03:33:58Z

I recently exhibited seven new paintings in my studio. I took inspiration from a roadside memorial I found on the street.

Last year I ran across a homemade shrine on the sidewalk near my studio. It was made up of an empty bottle of liquor, roses, coins, and a decapitated bird arranged in a plastic dish.

For a while this memorial marked someone's pathway out of this world. It held the aura of that transition for a while, until eventually it too transformed, from a sacred object into garbage. I came across it somewhere in between the two.

I was intrigued by the expression of deep feeling from such a humble platform, and charmed by the amateur attempt to communicate with a world beyond our own.

I began learning about roadside memorials around the country, and used some of them as inspirations for these paintings.

See photos on Flickr
photos from the show by sonia

Many things to report: Hunter Gatherer mission launched, Chief Willy Underfoot reconstruction underway

2008-07-09T17:32:23Z

Much has happened since my last post.

1. Hunter Gatherer -

3 missions have been launched, EC, MB and DB. Talking to the mission leaders, things are going very smoothly. I'm going to try to meet with team NN tomorrow, and launch a fourth mission. I'll have to go to the studio tonight to get another vehicle mission ready.

2. Chief Willy Underfoot

I've gathered a lot of the parts needed to resurrect the Chief. So far we've got one Arduino board, one Mac Mini, a VDIP1 chip, and a Nokia 6620 with pay as you go SIM card. I also had to find a special USB cable to connect the phone to the arduino/mac. JSD is going to need to give me some guidance from here, but at the very least I can get the phone talking to the mac.

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3. Earth Rover Fleet

Once Willy is up and ready to start receiving SMS/MMS messages, I can start work on the first Earth Rover. The Rovers will collect environmental and position data and send it to Willy. Willy will serve a website that posts this information to the web.

I expect to be able to gather a few hundred samples by October for display in my Open Studio. These will be exhibited along with four new paintings inspired by the mission and the program. The whole studio should become an immersive CBTSA experience.

Pre-launch preparations

2008-06-29T19:34:57Z

three hgs will be mission ready by the end of today. I'm aiming for Wednesday as the launch day. The three mission leaders will be cravitz, barthel and bell. I've only got pesky little details to wrap up: get the log cards in each hg, fill up the third hg with sample cases. Finally, I'm ready. On the chief willy front, I managed to get a mac mini on ebay for $200, and it should arrive this week. Then I'll get it set up to serve the cbtsa site, and eventually, communicate with the river fleet. As for the rovers, I should have all the gear I need this week. I'm getting the vdip1 from England- thats the thing that will connect the arduino to the phone via usb. There also the USB cable that connects the phone to the mac, and thats in its way too. Basically, by the end of the week, I should be ready to begin those two efforts in earnest.(chief willy underfoot and the earth rovers). No progress on eb1 mobile this week, but thats fine. Time for that later.

A Battle Worn Chief Makes his Comeback

2008-06-19T18:03:32Z

After much thought I've decided the way to with the chief is a Mac mini. What's the point of beating myself up trying to figure out how to use a more complicated CPU when the mini will fit perfectly with plenty of room left over for Micro-controllers, sensors, devices. So I'm looking, in case anybody has one to sell. Plus I'm on scouring ebay for original mac minis.

Chief Willy's hull needs a wash and a touch up. I removed the stamp and the siteplayer module today. I should use them for some alternate project, but for now they're on ice. I also removed the old grill which is a rusted mess. I'm going to be much more particular about the insides this time, I want it to look fantastic. I'll probably paint the mini and stencil the insignia on it. Can't wait for that. Or perhaps a different treatment would be more appropriate, like a sticker.

As far as what sensors Willy will be fitted with, definitely GPS, but temperature, humidity, proximity, and light would all be interesting candidates. It will be the host server of the CBTSA website, and it should also receive messages from the Earth Rovers, and post those messages to the web. So it's going to need a dynamic DNS. Fun.

Earth Rover Communications Systems Procured

2008-06-18T22:19:18Z

The Nokia 6620 is the first smartphone for the Americas market optimized for use on new high-speed EDGE networks. The powerful Symbian OS-based Series 60 platform allows for the creation of richer applications. It contains a 65K color TFT screen for viewing still images and video clips captured by the integrated VGA camera. The wide range of the newest multimedia features give Nokia 6620 owners a multitude of ways to capture, share and enjoy content.

jsd assures me this Papi will do the trick.

link

meeting with MT

2008-06-18T14:08:38Z

I was very lucky to be able to meet with my old professor (he's not actually old, he's only two years older than I am) last weekend. He had a few recommendations.

Movies:

Stalker, by Andrei Tarkovsky

Artist:

Markus Copper, Arctic Hysteria show at PS1

Tayeoon Choi,RC ducks

Small board computers:

Artist grants:

UFOs

O'Hare incident with Keith Olberman

Cellphones, WiFi, and Cancer

NY Times

WiFi worries on BBC

DIY Remote controlled lawnmower: EB1 Candidate

2008-06-15T13:43:31Z

I found my way to the site of Terry Creer this morning, who has build a radio controlled lawnmower by combining an electric wheelchair with a lawnmower.

link

He's replaced the joystick on the wheelchair with an RC receiver, and built his own transmitter. The thing is pretty beautiful and horribly dangerous. Doesn't look like it would be too terribly expensive, certainly not more than an RC car powerful enough to carry the weight needed to be EB1. I would just leave out the lawnmower part, and replace that with the cart.

I think this direction makes a lot more sense than the RC car, because I'm not very confident those will be able to carry any weight. An electric wheelchair will be more than sufficient.

Hunter Gatherers Mission Ready

2008-06-13T16:31:42Z

At long last, the fleet is prepared. Missions begin Next week.

Candidate for EB1 Mobile Vehicle

2008-06-11T15:48:27Z

	CEN GST 7.7 Monster Truck The GST 7.7 has evolved from its origin "Genesis" into one of the worlds most durable Monster Trucks from years of bashing and racing on the roughest terrain. The GST is itching to be driven! Race it, bash it! Let no other monster stand in your way. Feel the confidence of strength, power, and speed when driving the GST 7.7. No other monster truck will dare get in its path. Availability: In Stock
	Our Price: $539.99

link

chat with MB about EB1 Mobile Vehicle

2008-06-10T14:30:45Z

AIM IM with matt.

10:28 AM

matt: Give me an elevator pitch to get John Bruzzo on board. What's this project about?

Charles Truett: I've created my own space program to explore earth

Charles Truett: i'm building a fleet of exploratory rovers to gather data and physical samples

Charles Truett: to create my own scientific record

matt: Nice.

matt: I can sell that.

Charles Truett: John would be an engineering consultant to make my earthbase mobile and RC

Charles Truett: did i already give you my sketch?

Charles Truett: I did right?

matt: No. Just a photo.

Charles Truett: oh hold on

matt: Send it to my hotmail

Charles Truett:

Direct Instant Message session started

10:30 AM

matt: Then I can show it to John.

Charles Truett: that's what i want

matt: xxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxx.xxxx

Charles Truett: ok, i'll send it

matt: Awesome. Gotta bolt.

Direct Instant Message session ended

Hunter Gatherer Fleet with CBTSA Insignia

2008-06-10T14:22:34Z

A little fuzzy in the middle, but overall, I'm very pleased.

more pics.

chat with jsd about phones for the rovers

2008-06-10T14:19:45Z

AIM IM with kalamari2000.

10:02 AM

Charles Truett: http://flickr.com/photos/38891067@N00/2567715618/in/photostream/

Charles Truett: that's right bitches

Charles Truett: ok you need to give me 2 minutes of your time

kalamari2000: go

Charles Truett: i lost that auction

kalamari2000: suckasss

Charles Truett: i want to know what excactly I need to buy

kalamari2000: you need to get sniping software

Charles Truett: can i get any phone with GSM/GPRS?

Charles Truett: i'd really like one with a camera

Charles Truett: but i need to know the basic stuff i need

kalamari2000: I think this is the list

kalamari2000: N70, N90, N91, 3230, 3300, 6155, 6170, 6230, 6230i, 6235, 6255, 6260, 6630, 6650, 6670, 6680, 6681, 7270, 7600, 7610, 7700, 7710, 9300, 9500

]]> Charles Truett: has to be nokia?

kalamari2000: is the one from the auction on there

kalamari2000: ?

Charles Truett: not sure

kalamari2000: it doesn't HAVE to be

kalamari2000: but might as well make it a nokia

10:05 AM

Charles Truett: ok man

Charles Truett: thanks

Charles Truett: what do you think of the box?

kalamari2000: lovely

kalamari2000: so i had my first day at work

Charles Truett: YES!

kalamari2000: fuckin. amazing.

kalamari2000: you would shit yourself if you walked in here.

kalamari2000: I almost did yesterday.

Charles Truett: outstanding!

kalamari2000: I'm talking live working mech done for fun.

Charles Truett: well you're gonna have a good summer

kalamari2000: yeah.

kalamari2000: I am.

10:10 AM

Charles Truett: those phones are all so expensive

Charles Truett: there are other GSM/GPRS phones for like $40

kalamari2000: show me

Charles Truett: http://cgi.ebay.com/Motorola-T721-GSM-GPRS-Color-Flip-Cell-Phone-Unlocked_W0QQitemZ110260093563QQihZ001QQcategoryZ3312QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Charles Truett: http://cgi.ebay.com/Samsung-SGH-X475-GSM-GPRS-Color-Cell-phone-Unlocked_W0QQitemZ120269182102QQihZ002QQcategoryZ3312QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Charles Truett: http://cgi.ebay.com/Motorola-V60g-GSM-GPRS-Flip-Cell-phone-for-Cingular_W0QQitemZ110259172958QQihZ001QQcategoryZ3312QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

kalamari2000: hold on

Charles Truett: i'm guessing these don't work for what we're doing, but I don't know why

kalamari2000: because you need the MODEM

kalamari2000: the v60 might work

kalamari2000: let me check

Charles Truett: so these phones don't have modems. so what does it mean that they're GPRS

Charles Truett: if they can't communicate on the web

kalamari2000: it means they can use the GPRS network but they can't connect to a computer for that purpose

Charles Truett: got it!

kalamari2000: http://www.mobilecityonline.com/wireless/store/productdetail.asp?productid=10512

kalamari2000: any phone that has a computer cable is a good candidate

Charles Truett: so this is for the v60

kalamari2000: seems like it

Charles Truett: so what i'm going to try to find is one with a camera

Charles Truett: cause that will make it more roverish

Charles Truett: in fact that's kind of the essence of a rover

kalamari2000: but you got the difference?

Charles Truett: yes

kalamari2000: coolio

Charles Truett: needs to be able to communicate with a computer

Charles Truett: i'm on it

Charles Truett: thanks

kalamari2000: k, I'm out

Charles Truett: BYE

kalamari2000: gotta go be awesome again

kalamari2000 has gone offline.

Hunter Gatherer Fleet gets a fresh coat of paint

2008-06-09T12:39:04Z

I've been working for a few weeks on the new Hunter Gatherer vehicles, and I've made some great progress. This past sunday I was able to get six of the new ones painted, and tonight hopefully I'll be able to stencil on the insignia. The painting process was pretty easy and the colors came out better than expected.

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Originally I was working with a much larger case, and I designed sample cradles around that size, but I'm much happier with the smaller cases I purchased on ebay. The smaller cases can hold 24 samples in a smaller box than I've been using, or about 8 of the old size. The smaller size is still large enough for most of the samples I've historically collected, so I'm sticking with 24/case.

I made the sample cradles out of Luaun, a very thin type of plywood that is very easy to work with. I also bought a jig saw and cut the cradles with that, then cut a slit down the center of each and inserted a strap that can be used to lift the cradles out.

After the insignia is stencilled on each one, I need to include a mission log, so each mission leader can be recorded. That should fit in an envelope inside the lid. I also need to get some sample label stickers, and write up the mission instructions.

Here's the photoset from yesterday's painting session.

first stencil

2008-05-20T02:17:46Z

well, i think I've got the hang of it. some paint got under the stencil, but i think i can fix that next time around. and regardless, it looks pretty fantastic.

Chat with Matt about EB1, drag racing

2008-05-20T02:05:21Z

AIM IM with mattbrthl5/19/08 4:19 PM

matt You there?

4:29 PM

Charles Truett yes!

matt Ronjo!

Charles Truett what do you know about RC cars, or small engines?

matt Zero.

matt Why?

Charles Truett basically i need to convert one of those old lady shopping carts into a powerful RC vehicle

Charles Truett and i'm looking for consultants

matt Owen's babysitter's husband is a drag racer for a living. He can do anything with an engine. Anything.

matt I know this ude very well.

Charles Truett oh my god

Charles Truett that's it

Charles Truett set up a meeting

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matt He's not very Web friendly. But I could get him to my house for a vid cchat one night.

mattWhat's this for?

Charles Truett art

Charles Truett " "

Charles Truett ultimately I'd like to be able to drive the thing over the web

Charles Truett that's the goal

Charles Truett but one thing at a time

Charles Truett he's a drag racer?

Charles Truett i didn't know that was a profession

matt Oh, it's a profession alright. Needle nose dragsters.

Charles Truett oh those long skinny things

Charles Truett excellent

matt One time I went to pick up O after work, aand I heard John's car rumbling in the yard. I walk around back to see Owen behind the wheel of a running needle nose car, with a helmet on.

Charles Truett that's an interesting moment right there

matt Hwe looked like his head was going to explode with happiness.

Charles Truett i'm sure

Charles Truett maybe if i made a sketch for him you could show it to him

matt Many other days, I arrive at the babysitter's to find O sitting shirtless with John, eating some sort of random fruit they picked out at the store. John says to O, "This is livin', right buddy?" It's hilarious.

matt Long Island baby.

matt Pardon me if I'm wrecking the artistic mystery of this, but how are you going to "drive this over the Web?"

matt John.

matt Lifelong car mechanic. Owned his own shop for 30 years, but sold it to go racing three or four years back.

Charles Truett ok well, i hook it up with electronics that allow me to talk to it - not sure which protocol just yet

Charles Truett but i can send it signals to go forward, back, left, right

Charles Truett via mobile phone or website

Charles Truett and then, hopefully, track it via google earth

matt Now he does some carpentry and muscle car work on the side. But if you ask him what he does for a living, he says, "I race."

Charles Truett well, that's what i'd say

matt Where are you going to drive this thing?

Charles Truett probably prospect park, or out in redhook

matt And how are you going to avoid getting put in Gitmo?

Charles Truett well it would be using regular cell networks

matt Like that matters.

Charles Truett so it should be ok

Charles Truett we'll see i guess

Charles Truett i think i can do this

Charles Truett but that it will be difficult

matt This sounds really cool.

Charles Truett but step one is to turn a granny cart into a kickass RC car

matt So you want John as a consultant on what sort of engine to buy.

Charles Truett i think what i'll do, is make a sketch of what i want, you show it to him, and see what he thinks

matt Okay. Good. I'll talk to him on the way home tonight.

Charles Truett outstanding

matt When you say Granny Cart, do you mean like the ones they use to go to the supermarket?

Charles Truett that's the one

Charles Truett let me show you

matt Want to video chat?

matt I see you've got a camera.

Charles Truett http://a.parsons.edu/~truett/cbtsablog/archives/eb1.1.jpg

Charles Truett something went wrong

matt Does that red bag hold the engine? or is that just a real granny cart?

Charles Truett the bag contains earthbase1

Charles Truett http://a.parsons.edu/~truett/cbtsablog/archives/eb1again.JPG

matt Do the vid chat one more time. Send me an invite.

Charles Truett it's probably our firewall

matt I get your invite, but then I get an error that says I failed to accept your invite. I think there's something blocking it from this side of the world.

matt So you need to have an engine on top of the earthbase bag.

Charles Truett under

Charles Truett no?

matt Right. I meat "in addition to".

Charles Truett my first thought was to buy a pretty good sized RC car, and fuse the two

matt Okay, let me talk to John.

Charles Truett john will know what to do

Charles Truett maybe an old lawnmower engine

matt I think he'll be thinking "go kart engine" or laawn mower engine. But let's see.

Charles Truett or chainsaw

Charles Truett ok, see, that's so much more awesome

matt you should have a separate chainsaw on the front.

Charles Truett i could come out to LI and build it with him

Charles Truett that would be outstanding

matt Yeah, he gets into stuff like this.

matt Lemme see what he says.

Charles Truett this could be incredible

Charles Truett show him those pictures

Charles Truett and my site

Charles Truett a.parsons.edu/~truett/thesis

Charles Truett unless he's not into the web thing

Charles Truett this will be an earth rover for the exploration of earth.

Charles Truett eventually it will be loaded up with environmental sensors that it will publish to the website

Charles Truett\ that's phase 2

matt It's very cool, and you're not right in the head. And I mean that in a good way.

matt I'll talk to him tonight.

matt You want to do lunch one day this week?

Charles Truett no, this week is impossible. but next week should be better

mattbrthl Okay. I'll ding you then. I'll let you know what John says.

matmatttbrthl Gotta run. See you later.

Charles Truett can't wait to hear

Charles Truett bye

6:24 PM

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