Invisible Narrative: A Spicybiscotti Project

By Nate Graham:

Invisible narrative aims to bring to light an unwritten history and narrative in the places/spaces that are inhabited daily by nameless and faceless people. The idea is that one [everyone] would carry an ultraviolet pen, writing their thoughts, interactions, and stories wherever they go. If pervasive enough, one could throw a black light on any wall and find an account of a life or history that is unspoken and unknown. This project is partially in response to a world increasingly filled with nonplaces -- places such as grocery stores or strip malls, where shared connections and experiences are seldom made -- aiming to give these typically lifeless spaces a bit of humanity.

[The song featured is "Lights Out" by Daedelus.]

For more information visit my website @
http://nate.spicybiscotti.com or http://spicybiscotti.com

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• black
• light
• ultraviolet
• pens
• art
• project
• nate
• nathan
• graham
• spicybiscotti
• invisible
• narrative
• short
• film

[wdelgenio]

This video is incredibly underwhelming. You have an interesting concept, but who would have enough aesthetic sensibility and motivation to actually carry this out? I don't see how this could possibly non devolve into gas-station bathroom-style graffiti. I can however, see some excellent potential for humor combining traditional bathroom graffiti with UV graffiti.

[spicybiscotti]

it's really just an idea to put out there... other artists have played with it from different angles, making the messages harder to make, but easier to see... sure there is the possibility that it could devolve into bathroom graffiti, but the hope is that it could be something more candid/revealing (keep in mind that not all graffiti is aesthetically pleasing or even something more than sophmoric, but it still doesn't mean it can't be approached with more respectable intentions)

[wdelgenio]

I guess my issue with the idea is that you describe it as something that can/should done by "[everyone]". It seems to me that the artists who would go around drawing UV graffiti and the nameless/faceless people whose stories give this idea its value are two different sets of people.

[spicybiscotti]

It really just depends on the level of pervasiveness/ease of use/accessibility. I guess the question is, if given the means and the interest, who is to say that your everyman couldn't do this in a thoughtful way? (also is trash necessarily wrong if it's honest?). As far as the device goes, for all intensive purposes a uvpen is not the most accessible item, but the issue is creating something invisible (so as not to be illegal) that's low budget/low tech. It's an interesting problem to solve.

[spicybiscotti]

They are simply typical security/uv pens. You can find them in bulk online or at office supply stores, I believe. You can also substitute other uv substances such as laundry detergent, etc., although pens are the most portable, permanent, and least messy.

[zkillaDz]

u couldnt find any artists?

[spicybiscotti]

the song is "Lights Out" by Daedelus.

(thanks for noting that, I added that to the info)

[lu88ke]

Nice dude. Congrats on wooster collective.

[TheBoss2332]

Where can you get a pen like that?

[JasperJones8887]

Nice job, Nate, this turned out sweet. Music goes well with it, too.