Most of us have probably seen George Seurat’s well-known example of Pointillism: “A Sunday Afternoon on La Grande Jatte” (1884-1886).
Artist Erik Jensen has updated this process using computer keys from discarded keyboards instead of dots of paint. Employing a flathead screwdriver, he wedges it under the edge and then “peels” them off the board.
(He actually now pays his Mom to strip the keyboards.)
Jensen refers to his art technique as “Tech-Pointillism” with each key becoming a pixel, like on a computer screen. A single project can take up to 40,000 keys – that’s about 460 keyboards! But since he possess over 8,000 discarded QWERTYs, he’s pretty well set “paint-wise”.
He was inspired by a college art class assignment where students had to transform something nobody any longer wanted into something they did. Realizing that we all are familiar with a keyboard and its myriad of applications, he decided to use old and discarded keyboards to transform them into a piece of art.
Since he doesn’t cut any of the keys, each piece must adhere to a strict grid pattern. This makes recreating curves and circles the most difficult part of the creation.
To begin, after stripping the keyboards, he soaks the keys in a soapy solution for at least 24 hours to get rid of dirt, grease, grime, food and cat hairs. Then to stock his palette, he dyes the lighter colored keys in a multitude of colors and shades.
He has a secret dye recipe that the keys are soaked in for varying lengths of time. The longer they stay in the dye, the darker the shade of that color. And he stores all the varying shades of that one color in a plastic bin.
The special feature of his secret dye recipe is that it does not obscure the letters. That’s important to Jensen because if you stand back, you’ll see a masterpiece reproduction. But if you look closer, spelled out with computer keys, you’ll find quotes from the great masters. Like Van Gogh’s quote of “I dream of painting and then I paint my dreams” found in Jensen’s “Starry Night”. (There’s an example in the YouTube video)
Jensen was born deaf (he has since had a cochlear implant) and at one time taught high school art and American Sign Language (ASL). He said that because of his deafness he learned to communicate through his art. Consequently, he believes art is his first language, and English is his second.
He always turns his cochlear implant off when he’s creating: “I love silence. Silence is my music.” And clearly he gets a big kick out of his unique brand of creativity. Why, some of his creations are even edible – like this Pablo Picasso portrait:
To enjoy more of this unique artist’s work, take a look at his funky Facebook page – or his more serious website.
https://www.facebook.com/pg/Erikjensenart/posts/
https://www.erikjensenart.com/computerkeyart
11 Responses to “Saturday Smiles: An Artist Who Found the Key(s) to Success”
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I hope this means that you are feeling better and got the yard machte-ed to your liking.
These are delightful. I’m afraid to go anywhere near the chocolate … but I have some keyboards I’d happily donate t a good cause – and what better cause is there than artictic creativity! Bu, with 8,ooo, I suppose he doesn’t need any.
Thank you for the fun and smiles!
Yes, I’m feeling a bit better, thank you. But I think it’s more from the Medrol Dose Pack than anything else.
I got new rear-drive wheels for my mower – but they were the wrong kind. So after an hour of trying to get them installed, I just put the old ones back on. They have NO tread, so they really don’t offer much in the way of propulsion.
I had bought the 8″ Toro rear-drive wheel – but they gave me the “Personal Pace” model. I just now ordered what I need from Amazon, since Home Depot (yeah, I hate buying from them – but they’re the Toro dealer here) didn’t have the right ones.
Had to raise the mower up another notch because the grass was so tall – but I got it done!
Glad you had the Medrol Dose Pack.
Home Depot – ugh. We have them here, and we also have Lowe’s. Lowe’s is somewhat pricier, but they also seem to carry more stuff, and they’re darned good with d;livery. And if I need to ask something I can get answers. Too bad Toro prefers Home Depot.
Agreed. If both have the same item – no matter the price differential – I ALWAYS pick Lowe’s.
Unfortunately, that was not an option.
But given my well-honed passive-aggressive skills, I’m hopeful that my returning the unsuccessful wheels to Home Depot – w/ an accompanying full refund – will actually put that entire transaction into the DEBIT column of their ledger. (Don’t see how it could not.)
Lovely, though coarse-grained, pictures. The lettering left on the keys gives the pictures not only extra accents but with a “secret” message to look for it adds another dimension.
Glad that you are doing better, whatever the reason. “Better” works!
It’s rather amazing to find other people,like right here, who also can’t stand Home Depot. We had flooring installed, in a previous home, and the fellow, who seemed to be committed to doing a good job, reversed the pattern, half-way through. We got our money back. On the other hand, in our new digs, I found a really nice outdoor planter at HD, as well as a nice Caladium.
Jensen seems to be quite the guy! I like his work.
Pretty cool artwork!
Man has a lot of patience with his works of art…such a talented artist!
Thank you for the post, appreciate it, Nameless.
By the By…Hubs and I haven’t been in, or near a a Home Depot in years.
Lowe’s is across the highway here, we like their products, and friendly staff. Oh! They give veteran’s discounts too. We are both in the computer and the store offers 10% discount to all vets.
Glad to read that you are feeling better too, and got your lawn mowed. Now you can take it easy.
Very, very COOL!!!
I studied fine art in school and discovered Georges Seurat in grade 11. I used pointillism for a number of years but instead of paint,I used ink applied with a straight pen. Many of my works were mono chromatic so definition was made using the density of the dots rather than the mixing of pigments. I even did mono chromatics in non pointillism projects.
Erik is very talented and gifted. Thanks for this Nameless!
Fascinating artwork. Working with old keyboard keys…I applaud Erik’s creativity. Talented indeed.
Glad to hear that you are feeling better, Nameless.
Thanks Nameless
Neat, Nameless. I’m glad you feel better.
wow and a nice way to take a few minutes away from thinking of all the issues of the day