Field
of Thoughts: Limited Edition Bingo Cards: A
set of custom-made
boards are the center piece of a collaborative
learning, potluck and gambling game that explores
the world's 75 lowest GNP countries.
The project emerged
as a way for Futurefarmers to make money for carrying
out non-profit related activities. The idea itself
may be blamed directly on the IRS tax booklet entitled:
Instructions for Form 1023 for readily identifying
both the route to 501(c)3 non-profit incorporation
and procedures for legal bingo gaming in the same
document. The latter became an increasingly humorous
side note while researching the former. A limited
edition series of Bingo cards were made possible
through the Independent School of Art’s
Edition Grant. The grant paid for a die-cut such
that the game boards can used for more than
one evening of play.
The
materials used to make the game boards included:
recycled legal files, die-cut, silk screen, offset
printing and thread. The legal files were die-cut with
25 penny-sized holes arranged in a circular pattern
while maintaining the 5x5 grid of traditional bingo.
Seventy-five inserts were printed with random configurations
of the 75 lowest GNP countries. These inserts were
silk-screened and laser printed to be included in
each reusable board. The backs of the boards are
composed of heavy tag board with one color offset
printing. The fronts and backs are sewn together
to hold the inserts in place.
Thirty
seven players were invited to a March 26, 2006 test
game. Each player was asked to represent
one of the 75 featured countries by bringing
an obscure or interesting bit of information and to
bring an item of food or drink from their assigned
country. The night was a combination of collaborative
geography, potluck and gambling. The
range of food included East Timorian wraps, Somalian
milk tea, and Gaza Strip Sweet Potato cookies. The
evening served as a testing ground to see whether the
bingo platform would work to raise money needed to
bring artists to speak in San Francisco, offer workshops,
and hold discussions.
In
the final round, THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD, the winner
won the pot of money and a custom bingo card. The neighbor
of the winner was considered a co-winner in this “good-neighbor” game,
and received a hand-made, cloth ham. (see photos)
*Die-cutting
and printing were done by Logos Printing |
