What does a writer among a warehouse full of visual artists do for an open studio?  Some would say “nothing,” feeling that their medium of choice wasn’t valid for an open studio with an overwhelming majority of painters. Up and coming San Francisco novelist, Ian Tuttle, felt differently. He wanted to create a space that was interactive where he could engage visitors, get feedback on his writing, and maybe gain a few followers to his new blog.

Tuttle created an installation out of his office. The walls were covered with his writing. Each sheet of paper was stuck to the wall with a piece of black electrical tape, the tape creating stark contrast on the white wall and allowing the pages to have movement.  The center piece of the installation was a vintage typewriter inciting studio goers with its round and shiny keys. Rolled into the machine was a clean sheet of white paper. Next to the typewriter was a box with folded strips of paper. A sign above the box had an arrow pointing to it asking visitors to “please take a fortune”. The strips of paper contained a single profound sentence written by Tuttle.

The installation was a huge hit, and by the end of the night had an aspect of performance included. When the last fortune was handed out, Tuttle stepped up. He sat at the typewriter offering custom fortunes for anyone who wandered by. He concentrated on the person in question for a few seconds, then turned to his typewriter to write a few lines of insight.

The installation was well done and a great way for someone whose art is not normally visual to have a visual display.

Visit Ian Tuttle on the web
Blog: StretchyHead
Personal Site: Words of Every Type