Alexandre Bettler.

http://www.itsnicethat.com/articles/1423-alexandre-bettler

After realising that I needed to stop thinking of my project as one about twitter or facebook it was time to start thinking of it as a project about communication; drawing from elements of the social networking sites. I began searching for new artists, after a very broad search on google with something along the lines of 'communication artist' I luckily found the graphic designer Alexandre Bettler.

After looking into his work its safe to say this is the artist who has left me the most excited. Although he is also the artist who has stumped me the most, with his piece shown above named 'Gradual - the Bread Friend Map'. This piece is so perfect for my project, and reading about it was one of those moments when you kick yourself, wishing that you could have thought of it first. But I didn't, so the only thing I can do is draw inspiration from it. Seeing this piece and many of his others I realised I want to make a piece which is interactive on a human level, being able to communicate face to face.

Gradual - the Bread Friend Map. As you can see from the top image this piece of work was based on translating the meaning of a French word. The idea was, you had a sticker on the wall with your name written on. You also had the same sticker on your clothing. Each person received a piece of bread. As you mingled you shared your bread, once the bread was broken you drew a line connecting both of your names, creating a conversation map.

I loved the Bread Friend Map where a web link was set up between two countries. Each screen was sat on a table and both groups of people had to create a map made from bread sticks which linked to each others maps by the edge of the screen. As the individuals talks more links would occur between the people on the map.

I also liked 'the Friendly Bread Map'. I think by offering almost a peace token the idea of communication is much easier. You don't feel as intimidated or stupid if each person is in the same boat.