The idea of the game I call “Blank Space” is simple. You start with a blank space that’s able to be defaced (normally a large sheet of cardboard or a posterboard) and you make a game on it. Of course this only works in a cooperative and fun-spirited manner, as winning is a bit of a myth. Rather, the fun is garnered from the joint creative process of making the game as opposed to actually playing it.

My first interaction with Duck Architecture was, of course, via the internet. Of course I had seen the Oscar Mayer hot dog vehicle before, but that’s hardly architecture. Besides, the internet showed me Paperville on creativebloom.com. Instant hook. It’s paper. After I’d seen it, months went by with it tickling my mind every once in a while. Then, bam. I attended an art camp and made some awesome new friends.Incredible, really.

Well first off, it was amazing. Second off, it was tiring. There’s simply a way about kids that brings energy and yet saps energy at the same time. I’m not talking my age of “kid”, rather around the tween age (9-12). The group for my first ever workshop was an amazing group of tweens who regularly attend a group my library calls “Between Makers” (very clever naming). There were about 8 who really got into the activity, and it was amazing guiding them through the creation process.

I actually didn’t know who Harry Styles was until I was 14. If you still don’t know, Harry Styles is an English singer, songwriter, and actor (according to Google). He was a part of the famous boy band One Direction until they broke apart, and he still holds the hearts of so many teenage girls to this day. I had never joined the One Direction listeners, nor followed them into their individual music careers until a friend of mine forcefully recommended I do.

A.K.A. another post about “What is really pointless?” Just kidding. This machine doesn’t even make an argument of usefulness.

The idea was sparked when I heard about a “probability” themed project in sixth grade Pre-Algebra. The idea being an overengineered coin flipping machine… of course.

This was actually the first time I had heard directed at me “So I have these cool, valuable items that no longer really serve a utilitarian purpose, and would love a display made for them.” 

Well, not exactly that wording, but basically that message.

You know those hat days that American schools have every so often? One of those was incredible for me thanks to my clumsiness.

Of course I didn’t mean to bump my ceramic-ish moose head off its spot on the wall and let it crash to the floor, only saving an antler… twice… but it resulted in a cool project.