I want to jump in the fray around Demo this week with a pre-announcement. Since everyone's asking what I'm baking these days, here's a peek inside the oven:
Imagine walking right into a set, a living theater of sorts, a pop-up teahouse and brasserie evoking the artistic foment and intimacy of the Parisian salon.
A laidback running showcase for eclectic installations of provocative and live social art, aesthetic and green designs, Web 2.0 demos (including a boutique digital screening room, etc.)
A convivial spa of conversation catalyzing fertile verges.
A community space for people to commune with people of every stripe. (Devoted but not pushy about transforming "the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood.")
Each production comes once around for less than a season, never to be repeated again, to instanteously pop up in another incarnation somewhere else in the Bay Area (initially).
This time, the swirling philosophers and literati of a Vienna coffehouse with Art Nouveau vibe
(exit stage left)
Now, the Silk Road beckons saffron and cinnabar colored plush pillows spice-laden opium den (sans opium)
(exit stage right)
Now, what does your fantasy fancy?...
"All the world's a stage,
And all the men and women merely players" - Shakespeare, As You Like It
I haven't seen anything quite like it I can point you to. But something about Colette's in Paris reminds. Something about New Frontier on Main at this year's Sundance Film Festival reminds:
"New Frontier on Main is Sundance's newest venue, showcasing
moving-image [video] installations, live performances, microcinema screenings,
new media technology, and the Rabbit Hole, a DJ lounge cafe." (more in this great article, "Sundance's New Frontier preserves artistic integrity", Variety, January 17, 2007)
"I've always loved DEMO-style conferences (like the one going on in Palm Desert today) where entrepreneurs show off their creations for the first time to an audience of their peers, the press, and investors." - Jason Calacanis, "Taking the payola out of DEMO-ing: The TechCrunch 20 Conference (or, I'm back in the conference business baby!)
This doesn't replace any expos or conferences, but I'm yearning for gatherings more sassy than a conference, and I'm willing to bet others are too.
I applaud the launchpad that Mike and Jason are giving visionaries to demo their dreams based on merit, not who's able pony up fees:
"It is a well known secret that if you are willing to pay the $15,000+ fee, your startup will really need to suck to be turned down." - Mike Arrington, "The TechCrunch20 Conference"
I don't have my model entirely cranked out, yet. But, claro que si, it's about the artists, innovators, entrepreneurs pushing the edges.
p.s. Comment, blog, email, text, or call 408 513 7324 if you are interested in participating in anyway.
dancers? investors? musicians? VJs/DJs? sponsors? videographers? filmmakers? accountants? real estate gurus? conceptual artists? chefs? burners? producers? set designers? experimental theater folks? etc. etc?
(I'm notoriously behind on email, but I will get back with you.)
claro que si mi amiga. que tu necesitas al principio es un lugar que tiene hambre para un poco de publicidad, y ellos pueden cobrar los gastos de su aventura. I've heard that Salinas is just such a place and in great desire to lose their cow town status, a la san jose 50 years ago. richard florida is driving a lot of dollar decisions around municipalities these days, cause everybody wants to attract the creative class. They have Monterey near by and are so jealous of their neighbor that they would probably underwrite the whole thing. They want their Steinbeck Center to become a beacon, they have a pretty little downtown, and who knows. I keep seeing your Steinbeck book on the side column and I think it is a good choice. Build a geogesic dome that can be taken down and moved to house your various functions that won't fit in existing structures. I want to be there by the way, so let me know.
Posted by: arkieology | Feb 01, 2007 at 01:46 AM