Rhys Newman

Thanks to all for the very nice comments and inquires as to buying one of the GFC Triangles. Unfortunately, as seems to always be the case, getting something made, in the small volumes to meet the current small demand, is not so cheap. To get them manufactured (beyond the current ‘by hand and machine and favour’ process) involves paying the tooling cost for a custom triangle die, which – just for reference – is roughly the same price as a new single speed mountain bike frame!  This is exactly why these are called called Lost Projects, it’s familiar territory for me.

But in order to maintain the momentum, and in an attempt to lower the cost of making these things, the wooden versions have evolved, and seem to be a bit of a hit. They just seem right in wood, as precise but a little more humble.

So hopefully, soon, some wooden version will be available for sale. In the meantime, if anyone knows of any potential ‘Angels of Lost Projects’, I’d be more than happy to hear from them.

These A3 Moleskins demand a bigger scanner!

Another Lost Project – The Quantitative and Qualitative Measuring Devices – are gaining a little momentum. A few of these Good Fast Cheap Triangles will be offered for ‘uesr testing’ soon. More drawings and devices to come.

As an update. Julian writes more intelligently about the conversations around these devices and drawings. His fine articulation can be found here http://www.nearfuturelaboratory.com/2009/05/18/measuring-the-immeasurable/

Thanks to Jim and Shawn for the spectacular images of the Birdhouses now hanging in Utah, somewhere near Panguitch. Raphael http://grignani.org/ started a Flickr Group http://www.flickr.com/groups/1075724@N23/ where some of the images and locations of the Bird Houses are now found. A new batch of houses will be out soon, which means an new list. So if you fancy one, and have a good spot in mind. Drop me a line.

It took some time, but was worth the wait. The Mission in SF now has a pair installed. Thanks for the heroic effort, improvisation and kind words Raph. http://grignani.org/

Another Lost Project may well come to something beyond a drawing. The illustrations above and below are the evolution of the Measuring Device Series of drawings. Currently two accurate – nonsense – measuring devices are about to be made.

A Lost project can sometimes gain enough momentum to exist beyond the covers of my sketchbook. This hasn’t happened that often recently. But it seems that the Bird on a Wire Houses have this momentum. To begin with, there are just 12 pairs of houses on their way to Tokyo, Sydney, SanFrancisco, Toronto, Seattle, Builth Wells, Brighton, Helsinki, Buenos Aires, Panguitch Lake & Cardiff. I look forward to seeing where they land.