Hello and welcome to Concept Studio III: Systems and Processes.

Links to relevant resources for the course as well as student contributions and discussions will be posted on this blog.

Please begin by viewing the syllabus page.

For my trade-up project, I started with a weird galvanized nail. I traded that for a full pack of gum, which I exchanged for a half full can of spray paint, then a 3/4 full can of a different kind of spray paint, then finally for a brand new paint marker. Here’s the tumblr I made for my items: http://iamnardo.tumblr.com/

The Red Paper Clip project started with a small hinge, which i then traded for a small retractable pen, which was traded for a japanese lucky ticket, which then got me a ceramic skull from Mexico, then was traded for a bottle of aspirin and two rings.  For more information follow the documented journey at the attached link: www.tumblr.com/blog/phaseintime

For the semester-long ‘red paperclip’ project, I started with a small black binder clip.  I traded this for a hand-written sign, which I quickly traded for two pieces of mint gum.  I held onto the gum until presented with a trade for 10 ft. of multicolored duct tape.  I crafted this tape into a duct tape wallet.  I traded the duct tape wallet for a leather wallet and a name tag, which is where I now stand with my trades.

For this project, each student was given an object of very little monetary value. We were then supposed to trade up for things of greater value. I started with a miniature bungee cord and ended with an official Carnegie Mellon campus police whistle. You can see all of my in-between trades here: www.tumblr.com/blog/watchhannahtrade

For the final project, students were asked to present their sophomore reviews. Although I completed my  review last year, I used the opportunity to think critically about my practice and re-do my website/artist statement/resume.

My presentation of works contains notes:

My website/artist statement/resume can be found here (some projects have not been posted yet)

Documentation of the red paper clip project can be found here.

This project was a failure for me. Initially excited about trading, I quickly traded by Bert figurine for half of a cigarette, which I knew I would be in demand once my roommates got home. Shortly after, I traded the cigarette for a mini lighter, which I lost after a few days.

For this trade project, I began with a single small hinge which I traded for an empty beer bottle, then for a college of Computer Science pen, then for pocket LED flashlight.

On Tuesday, March 4, 2014, a group of 6 female CMU students found the best place on campus for a quick nap: on the floor in front of the Office of the Dean. Planned as a demonstration to confront the stress culture at Carnegie Mellon University, the peaceful act quickly caught the attention of the administration in the offices at either end of the small hallway, as well as those who sought access to the nearby elevator. An equally bewildered, flustered, and attentive Dean of Student Affairs met the students at their napping space. When the students responded to her questions by stating that they were not protesting, that they ‘fell asleep’ in the space while studying, the Dean asked the students if they would accompany her to her office, one floor downstairs. The naps resulted in a meeting held after Spring Break, which the students attended as did the University’s Dean of Student Affairs and Vice Provost.