The Learcher: Keith Charlie Taylor: Where's the F in Fun today?

An image on Google+ set me thinking, today.

String Art used to be popular in the 60's and 70's. Not with me, it wasn't, but times change, and I fancied a go.

Trouble is, you need tools and materials. The only tool I use these days is this computer.

Learning

I learned from the Man Made article that I need:

Materials and Tools:

1/2" or 3/4" plywood
1 1/4" flat head nails
Hammer
Needlenose pliers
Computer and printer or projector
String or yarn (I used embroidery thread)

As I only had the computer, I needed to find the other stuff. The only place I search for things is Google. I needed to start with some wood, and mark out a grid - how is Google gonna help with that?

Wait, the local woods are on Google Maps. There is a local village with an interesting industrial history, laid out in a grid. Can I start there?

The satellite view in Google maps shows a lovely grid pattern of chimneys, sat waiting for someone to wrap string round them. Trouble again - I do not have string, and my screen is not 3D.

But I had previously learned about drawing paths on Google Maps, when I planned a route to a local country pub. Can I put this learning to use?

As I learn, so shall I teach.

Teaching

Introducing PathArt

I started with Stringle Art to link string with Google, but it's a path, not string, and there is no reason why you cannot draw on any map. Besides, Stringle is far from unique. There is probably a better name than PathArt, but I'll leave that for someone with creative talents. I just steal other peoples ideas, which was good enough for Ian Dury (he claimed, but I cannot find the quote), so it is good enough for me.

So the rules are, draw along any road or pathway - no shortcuts across gardens, fields, parks etc, unless it is an official walkway.

How To Make Path Art

In Google Maps, click on My places, then CREATE MAP.
Give it a title and description. I keep it unlisted until finished, but that is your choice.
Search for your location, then use the placemarker and line tools to create your art.

I learned from my first attempt that placemarkers, which I thought might replace the nails of String Art, are too prominent. The markers for roads are better, but still too big, so I just used lines.

View PathArt Saltaire in a larger map

Also, if you zoom in, you will see that I have "walked" the alleyways between the backs of terraced roads. Google won't let you drive a road down these, but I have walked them many times. Memorably, to the sniggering (snickering?) of my nephews as we passed Fanny Street.

Saltaire at the center of the art world, or the art world at the center of Saltaire? The second is certainly true as it houses a permanent exhibition of David Hockney work at the 1853 Gallery (Look for Salts Mill, northwest of ART, and hover over the knife&fork symbol. You may need to view the PathArt directly in Google Maps to see this).

Pleased with my first attempt, I sought a larger canvas, and learned that America is full of grids. I looked at the registered website admin address for manmadediy.com, and found a suitable street grid nearby.

So, here's a thank you for the inspiration:

View PathArt: Man Made in a larger map
I prefer the Map view rather than the Satellite view, but you can make your own choice. That's the beauty of PathArt - it is interactive. Well, up to a point - you can change zoom and background.

Finally, I got a little ambitious. I didn't expect to find a grid anywhere big enough for The Fun Times Guide, so I wondered what I could achieve with the logo.

As a thank you for the information:

View PathArt: Fun Times Guide in a larger map
That is a bit of a stretch, but the result appeals to me. I could have spent more time playing with different combinations of line width and transparency. Worst is the color match, due to a limited palette, but it should be possible to create any color using multiple layers with appropriate transparency settings. As Richard Wilson would say - "Can't be arsed."

I'll wait and see what the copyright lawyers think of my poor attempt.

On reflection, it's probably been done before, but I couldn't find anything. Let me know if you've seen this elsewhere, and let me know if you create any PathArt (or come up with a better name)

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