Description
Title & Artists: "Abbot Talks" - by Steven London and Matt Friedman
Medium, Technical Features: Photographic print on wood assembled with LED lights, sound, and artificial intelligence, accompanied by a detachable power cord. For indoor display only.
Embedded inside this cod is a fully functional Alexa Echo Dot, Amazon's voice-activated virtual personal assistant. Requires power, WiFi, and download of the free Alexa app.* Capable of connecting to external Bluetooth speakers.
* Note: The artists will assist the winning bidder with electronic set-up of Abott Talks, if needed (available in Marblehead and surrounding towns only).
Size: 19" x 8"
Artists Statement: A talking COD? Yes. A COD that can answer questions? YES. A visually appealing photo of a Marblehead landmark, Abbot Hall. This image showcases Abbot Hall's architecture with an amazing orange sunset. Abbot Talks is adorned with points of light and equipped with artificial intelligence that can give you answers to specific questions. What's the weather today in Marblehead? What movies are playing at Warwick Cinema in Marblehead? Now THAT'S a smart COD.
Image graciously donated by photographer Rob Kipp. Visit his site at www.robkipp.com.
Artist Biographies:
Steven London is a builder and a maker, who always looks outside the box to hack or mod an item. He constantly voids warranties and creates new items or mashes separate items together to form a new-use product. Steve is a relatively new resident of Marblehead. By day he solves complex IT issues for clients all over eastern Mass. His customer base is both large and small, all with unique needs and requirements for the past 30 years. Steve still finds time to use his wizardlike skills to create, make, and mod.
Matt Friedman calls himself a "digital" artist because he creates elaborate online systems, websites, and applications. This is Matt's second mixed media project?he had the initial idea of hacking apart an Alexa device to create something special. Matt was responsible for the rebuild of the MFOA online system and art exhibit registration. Matt has lived in Marblehead for more than 15 years with his wife and three children.
Value: $750
Hosting Business: "Abbot Talks" is on display at LizzyLoo & Friends, 108 Washington St., Marblehead, MA.
Item Special Note
Pick-up of purchased cods will be on Thursday evening, July 5. Winning bidder will receive a notification email with information on pick-up time and location.
If winning bidder requires shipping, winner's credit card will be charged a separate $24.95 fee to cover USPS ground and handling. Shipping is available within the U.S. only and must be requested within 7 days after receipt of the notification email.
Any cod purchased via "Buy Now" will remain on display at the hosting business through the end of the auction, and will be available for pick-up as detailed in the winning bidder notification email.
If winning bidder has not picked up cod (or provided shipping address) within 30 days after the close of the auction, cod will become the property of Marblehead Festival of Arts, Inc.