Choose your mark maker
The Longest Line
2013
Interactive wall drawing, crayons, markers, color pencils, pens, pencils, pedestal, jars, wall paint
10’ x 16’ x 4’
As part of the group exhibition U-Build It! Curated by Steve Hughes, Public Pool, Hamtramck, MI
Final View
The Rules !!!
“The Longest Line is an art activity where participants draw a single continuous line and sign their name without overlapping others. It views art as a collective effort anyone can partake in, adhering to simple rules. Seen in this light, art is no longer recognized as an object of aesthetic admiration made by a technically skilled artist but becomes a collaborative creative process. To take a case in point, in the 1970s conceptual and performance artist Joseph Beuys suggested that art is a form of “social sculpture” made by many, hoping to affect societal change through a spike in collective creativity.”
— Curator Nadja Rottner’s wall label text for Andy T’s Urban Vision
Brian & Kristyn
Michael’s Hand
Elena
Mary
“The Longest Line is a simple game structure that asks for participation and gives a reward of recognition by letting the gallery goer sign their name to the gallery wall. The tradition of artists signing their works is an art historical trope determining for the artist, the collector, and the viewing audience that a piece of art is complete and finite. In this case, the Longest Line is an artwork that becomes more indeterminate as the participants grow and change the piece. Participants sign their name to signify the end of their line which allows for the next participant's line yet also complicates how that next line will manifest on the wall. This piece will be complete once the show is over and the lines have been removed from the gallery wall. Participation is needed from the audience not only for this piece, but over and again for every art show from this moment forward.”
— Original statement about the work
Choose your mark maker
The corner
Clean up