The Creative Archive Project

UPDATE 7/22 - So this post was created 11 years ago. None-the-less there are aspects of this that still hold true.

My concentration for so long has been on The Gnomes of New Hope, that it's simply has not been possible to pursue some of these other goals. After reviewing this post, I see that this goal still remains an important one, but one that will be acted upon after I build the studio facility. The Studio facility that I have been using for the last ten years has developed nicely and many projects are under way, but it is time for me to seriously look into constructing the right and new facility. That facility will be the foundation for a compound sitting on between 25 and 100 acres. That is my goal. I will expand upon that in other posts and likely create another blog for that project. In any event, just because a post is old and hasn't been looked at for some time, that doesn't mean it is nullified. If you find a post that you would liket o talk about, send me an email. AG

UPDATE 12/11 - After reviewing this posting, I realize that this is one of the more important projects that I would like to see realized.   

My intention has been for this to be part of Image of the Mind Studios and the Studio compound which I intend on building and eventually turning over to The Alpha & Omega Society.  However, there are other buildings available where this concept could be implemented and there is one in particular that would be well suited for this project. That building has a significant cost attached to it, so in order to pursue this project (in any instance) I will need to see the Board of Directors built.  If there are any of you who feel inclined to get involved with this to a significant degree - with confirmed dedication to seeing this fully implemented, then I am open to discussion in that regard.

The Modus Operandi and management systems manual need to be confirmed and this will be proceeding. I will post what I can, when I can here. AG

       * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

One of my most pressing issues is the establishment of, not only a long term facility, but the establishment of a Creative Archive. I have made it one of the objectives of The Alpha & Omega Society to maintain & support an archive of creative materials as a service to artists wishing to feel secure that the work of their life will be preserved for posterities sake. The operating proceedures and management of such an archive will be determined by the board of directors when the time comes for implementation. The archive will in all likelihood require a warehouse, but that is something that will be delt with in the future. For now, I'm posting this as an announcement of intention and as a way of informing members of the A&O Soc. of one of the objective we are going to work towards. AG

Archive Facilities- the design that is beginning to come forth is much like that of a storage facility. Temperature & climate controlled units connected to a central gathering place or community room which can serve as a gallery for exhibition of the artists work. The units are for the storage of completed work, manuscripts, portfolios, sketch books, works in progress, casting forms, etc.. No personal property or raw materials may be stored in the climate controlled lockers.

It is likely that additional units will be attached to the facility, which will essentially be the size of a one or two car garage. This unit may serve as a working studio. There is a design for the larger studio compound which takes into account studio space. If the compound is implemented before the archive facility, then studio space will not be integrated into the archive. However, if the archive is developed as a satellite of the IMS studio compound (which would be placed in numerous cities) , then studio spaces will need to be integrated into the design. This is obviously a long term vision of the archive concept and implementation of these thoughts will depend upon what kind of response, encouragement, and resources I receive to move forward.

As I write this, I realize that this Archive Project is integral to the larger Studio Compound and the management parameters of the archive are directly related to the Spiritual Retreat/Artists Colony Project. The management of this Archive will take the basic principles seen in retirement centers and charitable foundations and merge them with some of the methods used by an assortment of artist's co-ops. Thus, the artist will be a member of the archive by buying their storage space, much like a condominium. Further, their work will be assigned to The Alpha & Omega Society for protection and management under specific terms. The artist's heirs will be co-owners of the work with The Alpha & Omega Society the terms of which are subject to bi-annual review. AG

Parade Floats and the Mobile Rental Stage

    As I have mentioned elsewhere, I am moving toward constructing a Parade Float, based on a Corvair Forward Control platform. You can read more about that on The Gnomes of New Hope blog. But I thought I would start a post here on the subject. It is my intention to document the process and to post it here. It may be a slow process at this point because we need to finish the illustrations for the Seven Book Companion Editions.

   My current thinking is that we may well produce more than one of these "mobile stages", possibly for our own use, but also as a rental stage for people who may want us to construct a Parade Float for them. So in that way, ur process for the Gnomes, is much like a templet for one or more of these Parade Floats. I say this because if there is someone who does want to have parade materials constructed for them, it would be good to know that. Here is the email; image.of.the.mind.studios@gmail.com

Here is a diagram showing the Corvair Forward Control platform:

This is one of the FC trucks that will server as a donor for the Parade Float:

This was the Stage we built in Tamanend Park, which we will be emulating with the Parade Float.

The Center section will be the Parade Float, while the side wings will be add-ons.

   Thus, the Parade Float will also serve as a stage for Festival presentations, concerts and such. It may be that the Gnomes of New Hope, as presented in GnomeFest will use the expanded stage, depending on how the Stage Musical is adapted for outdoor Festivals. I expect that the stage will likely incorporate a backdrop frame as well. The backdrop shown here was destroyed by vandals while this stage was set up in Tamanend Park. As a rental stage, it may be reconstructed with more durable materials.

The Vairod Project

 

This is a Monza GT, an experimental Corvair.

Mid-Engine Corvair Turbo Power-plant

One of my projects is the creation of a Kit Car called 

"The Vairod Project"

The "Vairod" is founded on a chassis constructed to replace the Unibody design of the Corvair. Basically it's like this; there are hundreds of Corvairs sitting around rotting in fields. Why? Because the Unibody design is not sound after a time, being that structural components become impaired to the degree that the vehicle is no longer roadworthy. However, other components of the vehicle are still usable; suspension, powertrain, steering and many other parts. Many people are loathe to scrap the dead Corvairs that they have, They simply are not making anymore of them and people LOVE their Corvairs.

An example of hundreds of the Corvairs sitting waiting to become useful again

So, the premise of the Vairod is to create a rolling chassis with those usable components. 

Once there is a rolling Corvair Chassis, any number of bodies can be put on that chassis 

to create a new car from the old components. 

Eventually those components can be upgraded to newer technology.

Imagine being able to build yourself a Monza GT or even a Super Spyder, 
both cars that never made it into production but are most excellent in design. 

A variation on these and other Corvair designs offers a new line of Corvairs. 

For anyone who knows, they will admit that in the heyday of Corvairs, before Ralph Nader 
 the Corvair Power-plant was very popular and used in many applications.

So, I have been thinking about this project for many years and now I am rethinking it. 

The First step is to create the rolling chassis.

Will I create a body from my personal Corvair, which is heavily modified? 

Maybe.

I have owned this car for 53 years.

AG