Dan Hansen's Wall Street Wrangler Graphics

Dan Hansen loved games, both board games and video games. Sometimes when we met together he'd propose that we collaborate on creating a game ourselves. Wall Street Wrangler was one concept we'd return to from time to time. We'd white board ideas, list concepts we'd aim to integrate and give assignments to one another. Often I would do research, he would do design.

Dan's vibrant game board and mobile app were always stunning—intricate maps, whimsical characters, and layered worlds. These are examples of how he made everything richer.

For the game boards we would discuss layouts. Should they be basic,

like Sorry or Monopoly. Dan favored hexagon designs and complexity.

These are examples he produced using the DALL-E AI app.

Click game board images to enlarge.

One of the board games Dan created was called Nations at Play. His aim was to create a game that would teach economics. The game mechanics incorporated adjustable income tax, interest rates, inflation and the debt of competing nations the players are rulers of.  Using ChatGPT he developed a system that takes heavy calculations out for the players by means of representative tokens or place markers which have easy to understand protocols.

Objective: To grow and prosper your nation, while managing your economy through the challenges of income tax, interest rates, inflation, and debt. The player with the most Prosperity Points (PP) at the end wins.

The ultimate aim was always to have fun, but playing these games would also teach you how the world really works.

Another game we worked on was called The Game of Influence. But that's another story.

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RELATED LINKS

The Wit and Wisdom of Dan Hansen (Part 1)

A Light That Still Shines: Honoring Our Friend Dan

Excitement Reigns! The Mummy's Curse™️ Board Game

Local Art Seen: Kathy McTavish's Generative Textile Drawings @ the Joseph Nease Gallery

Kathy McTavish, 2nd from right, explains the evolution of her processes.

Friday evening a number of Duluth galleries and art spaces opened their doors for the monthly Downtown Art Walk. It gave me a chance to see Kathy McTavish's latest iteration of her work involving computer code, which is titled Generative Textile Drawings. The work is a variation of traditional quilting, involving batting, fabric, thread, polyester and coding. Coding is the thread that runs through McTavish's last several projects including Chance at the Tweed, and her Duluth Quantum Computing Project at 3 West in 2016.

Rather than projecting images in light her current work has a more substantial physicality. The stitching and designs are still generated by code, but now you can touch and feel and see an object. Kathy McTavish explained that she has been developing algorithms to create a stripped down alphabet of forms, computer generated line drawings.

Generative Textile Drawing, detail. (click to enlarge)

Some people might be surprised at this new direction, but those who know her recognize that quilting is an almost logical application of her designs. Her sister Karen is a highly influential and innovative quilter. In fact, her innovations are such that there is a style of quilting named after her sister called McTavishing. (See: Pushing the Boundaries.)

Both McTavishes are doing mathematical work of sorts, and Kathy is quick to note that the first computer was a loom. "Knitters were the first visualizers of computer design," she said.

The pieces vary in size from 42"x 40" to 84"x 42". Materials for each are listed as cotton, polyester, thread and code.  Most of the work is subtle and best appreciated up close as opposed to standing across the room. Here are several more images from the show.

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The Joseph Nease Gallery, located at 23 West First Street, is a contemporary art gallery featuring some of the most interesting work in the Northland. On March 22 there will be a public reception featuring work by the Scandinavian artist Sirpa Särkijärvi. Transcriptions will be on display through June 1. It is a show you won't want to miss.


www.sirpasarkijarvi.com

Meantime, art goes on all around you.
Get into it.

Twin Ports Art: Piszczek's Superior Zentangle Pieces and Other Things To See TODAY

One of the first places I showed my art locally was in the showcase at the Superior Public Library. As a regular visitor to the library there I am ever conscious of the various artists displayed there. For the month of December Esther Piszczek is the featured artist, a small variety of works offered for public consumption. If you frequent the Superior Library, do take a few minutes to check out the various artists who occupy this cozy little space.

As an active maker, Esther has made connections in a variety of circles which are especially active this time of year. What follows are several places where you can find her work alongside a variety of others'. Still need to find gifts for the people in your life? Here are several places worth checking out today. 

(Zentangle designs here from Esther P's display in the lobby of the Superior Library.)

Saturday, December 16, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Fitger's ART on Tap—Holiday, Fitger’s, August Fitger Room, 3rd Level, 600 E. Superior Street. This new addition to the holiday art and craft scene is organized by Sally Cavallaro Designs. Local artists, (including Eshter's Zentangle-inspired art.)

Saturday, December 16, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Handmade Holidays, Free Family Art Day, Duluth Art Institute / Lincoln Center, 2229 W. 2nd Street. "Anyone is invited to drop-in for make-and-take art projects."

Saturday, December 16, 12-5 p.m., Handmade Holiday Market, Duluth Folk School, The Lincoln Park Craft District, 1917 & 1924 W. Superior Street.

"30+ local vendors including pottery, jewelry, art, apparel, kombucha, stationery, skin care, and more with a FREE gift wrap craft station. Brought to you in association with Duluth Pottery and Duluth Made."

If you've never been, the Superior Public Library is located at 1530 Tower Avenue just past Belknap.

EdNote: You can see some of my own paintings at the following locations in Superior.

At Goin' Postal you can see works by a wide variety of artists while shipping packages via UPS, FedEx or U.S. Postal Service. It's a pretty good deal. I have more than a dozen pieces there on display. Goin' Postal is located next to the tracks on the 800 block of Tower Avenue.

Art on the Planet shares the former Dunbar Building with Wine Beginnings on the 1300 block of Tower Avenue. It's a cozy space crammed with arts and crafts. There's plenty to see, whatever the price range you wish to spend within.

"Dogs of War"

Meantime, art goes on all around you. Engage it.