Banner artwork: dICEHOUSES, one of the art shanties on Medicine Lake for the 2009 Art Shanty Projects, as seen from the air, shot taken via kite-aerial photography by MNKiteman. Pictured:
The dICEHOUSES Shanty, which "reminds folks that there is no more efficient source of warmth than sitting across the table from one's family, some good friends or strangers and playing some good ol' table top games. Each of the five dICEHOUSES is stocked with The Book of Hoyle, playing cards, dice and games for all to play."
(Photo cropped and reproduced for access+ENGAGE with artist's permission)
MNKiteman describes his method for kite-aerial photography: "I've been taking aerial photos with kites for a long time, ever since I took a Maker workshop with Craig Wilson 10 years ago. The most important thing about taking good aerial photos this way is, first, really knowing how to fly the kite. Before you attach a camera to anything, try flying your kite with a similar amount of extra weight on the string to get the feel of how it handles; a partially-filled small water bottle works well."
About the artist: MNKiteman is a retired Maplewood resident who has been flying kites all his life. A proud member of the American Kiteflyers Association since 1993, the photographer remembers that his dad bought him his first High-Flyer for 10¢ when he was 8 or 9 years old. Some of his fondest childhood memories involve making kites with his father, and he's been an enthusiast ever since. You can see a wide array of his photographs, including his aerial shots of this year's Art Shanty Projects, by visiting MNKiteman's Flickr pages.
TO DO:
The Art Shanty Projects will be in residence on the ice of Medicine Lake until February 14. There are a host of activities, projects, and opportunities to engage with the artists-in-residence on the lake: play a game on the world's largest cribbage board, sing a little karaoke, help give a Minnesota transplant some of the Upper Midwest childhood experiences he missed out on by growing up elsewhere, partake in storytimes and sing-alongs with some of the hardy explorers from Ernest Shackleton's ill-fated Arctic expedition, take in a show, engage in some radical DIY geography fun, or do some science with the IAMER Research Labs. There's tons of good stuff to do, especially on the weekends. It's a winter afternoon well-spent, we guarantee it.
Click here for the full line-up of artists at this year's Art Shanty Projects and click here for an exhaustive calendar of programming and events (sponsored this year by mnartists.org).
Credits: Middle left, The Confession Shanty; bottom right, Sweat & Drink, Inc Shanty. Both photos by MNKiteman.