Last year around this time of the morning I was getting calls and emails from people asking “why did MAKE put LED sculptures all over Boston??? CNN says you did!!” it turned out that we (MAKE) had written about LED art projects on MAKE and when CNN Googled (or Ask Jeeves’d) they assumed it was us. It wasn’t, and eventually the city of Boston was shut down because of an advertising campaign which used LED panels that looked like the cartoon Aqua Teen Hunger Force. I’ve rounded up all the coverage from last year here – it’s interesting to read the comments and questions brought up. Some say the reaction wasn’t appropriate, some were surprised how anyone could have thought the simple project could have been considered so dangerous – others wanted to give the guys who did this the death penalty (or worse). Post your thoughts in the comments.
One year later– Today we have MAKE NYC meeting and I’m building a kit from Evil Mad Scientists, an LED panel that will be displayed in my office. I think this date for many people represents a chance to show that electronics can be art, not something to be feared or immediately considered a “hoax device” – it’s up to us to show how great electronics can be and be responsible.
Boston Mooninite story as it happened last year on MAKE – Link.
Aqua Teen Hunger Force shuts down Boston – Link.
Mooninite-inspired LED projects – Link.
HOW TO – Make a LED T-shirt – Link.
Pocket Ignignokt – Make your own Mooninites – Link.
ADVERTISEMENT
