Pixel Notes - Case Closed!
So here we are. Finally and definitively. I have received a scan of the 2nd prize certificate for this particular piece. You don't need to have mastery of the German language to see that the only name listed on the certificate is Sirkka Hammer. No "in collaboration with" no "[insert name here] in collaboration with" just Sirkka.
I may not know everything, but I somehow doubt an art contest would make a habit of not crediting the artists where credit is due. Once again, that's normally all you get in art: credit for your work.
So here you go, 1 pic of the prize. Choke on it. Case closed!
EDIT: Duncan Wilson has left comments below stating his view of events. Click on the "comments" link for more on that.
5 comments:
Hello Manny,
Nice post, well done! I am impressed by your knowledge of the project. I presume that I must have known you while I was living in Germany for you to have such an insight into the background of the project.
To be honest it's unfortunate that your comments appear so embarrassingly personal. You must really be a near and dear friend to Sirkka.
Keep up the good work,
Duncan
Oh,
I forgot to mention, It's funny seeing that picture of the prize certificate as some sort of proof that she did the project. I have a copy too, because Sirkka sent it too me so that I could put the details on my website. You see back in 2004, when we did the project together she was the only one eligible so we only put her name on the entry.
I think that you can't be that 'near and dear' or you would have probably realised what is going on here and seen-through the one-sided nature of her opinion.
Thanks,
Duncan
She was the only one eligible and they wouldn't let any one else who worked on the project be listed as collaborators? I have more than a hard time believing that due to history of art schools being what they are ( I attended one myself and would have been expelled if I didn't list all collaborator's on all projects) and some additional research. (I don't take any one's word on face value)
I also find it curious that you are Googling the project looking for credits. I have seen many where you have commented that you are the sole creative force behind the project. I find that interesting as well.
As I've said, the accreditation over time has changed quite a bit to the point where she isn't listed at all. If you have proof to the contrary, I'd be happy to amend the post. However, I have a feeling it won't be happening anytime soon.
As for the prize certificate as proof, it is unfortunately the only proof the world will ever get. I'm not sure why someone who was the main creative force behind a piece of work would ever sign off on their name being excluded. I know I would be dead in the ground before that happened to me. Again, if you have definitive proof to the contrary, I will gladly amend the post. Send it here: manny.mobile@gmail.com
Thanks for your reply comment.
The 'new walls competition' wasn't part of Sirkka's college work. she was studying graphic not product design. It wasn't that they didn't list the collaborators we just didn't tell them. Maybe there was a risk of her being expelled at the time if her profs' found out but she took that risk. To be honest, we really needed the money (which we split 50/50) so wanted to enter the competition. Yes, we cheated. I asked Sirkka's opinion about having the project on my website and she said it was fine as the competition was over two years ago. I even send her a version of the site before it was online and she totally approved it.
Why do you find it strange that I take an interest in where the project is posted on the web? I make regular searches.
I have never made a comment saying that I was the sole designer!! Only Sirkka's 'supporters' have said that. I have always said it was a 50/50 collaboration! If you find any comment I have made that says that I was the only one please post the link. Unfortunately, (as I'm sure your well aware of) the nature of blogs is viral and people just copy and paste. A lot of blogs saw the project on my website and imediately credited me without Sirkka. I sure if it was on Sirkka's website the same thing would have happened the other way around. I have no control over what people post on blogs and have never promoted excluding Sirkka even after she denied that it was a collaboration. I actually wrote to people like 'swiss miss' asking for the project to have both our names! I will try and search out the links to recent site that have credited Sirkka as 'proof'. This project has been on over 85 blogs worldwide (statcounter) and I would say about 2 thirds credit Sirkka (I wish a they all did).
Looking back now, yes it was totally foolish for letting my name not be credited for the project. But as mentioned before, we thought of the money and I would never have imagined that it would turn into this kind of situation.
As for proof, all I have is the CD archive of all the development files for both competition entries and I'm probably the only one of us who actually understands how the project works.
I'm not sure exactly what you'll find acceptable considering the nature of your post but I will attempt to gather proof that I have not claimed the project as mine alone and that we had equal partnership in it's design. Thanks for you email address.
Duncan
I know this wasn't part of course work. Contests rarely are. I am also aware of her course of study.
I'm not totally on board with the motivations for not listing you on it yet. I can't see how someone could be expelled for having someone's help and given the exposure the project has at this point, it would stand to reason that someone from the competition committee would have contacted one or both of you about forfeiting the prize money for "cheating" yes?
I will gladly post any instances where you are the sole credit on the project and where it appears that you or someone associated with you claims it is a solo project. One example was on Digg. Given the nature of some of these sites they tend to move around a lot. As I said, I will gladly forward any on that I can find once again.
You are right. It will be tough for you to prove anything since the official record has her as the creator. Project files probably wouldn't be much help either as I am sure you both have copies. I am also leery that you are the only one who understands the depths of the project it seems pretty simple and straight forward.( that's not meant as a knock BTW, as you know the beauty of most art is the simplicity and economy of expression to create something that appears much grander)
About the only shot would be a note or e-mail from her that says "thanks for co-creating it with me" or something to that effect.
Assuming everything you say is true, I do feel a degree of sympathy as you have learned the hardest way not to EVER let someone else take sole credit for something you have had at least a considerable stake in creating. I work in the art/media field and see people try to do it everyday and people get suckered into doing it for the quick buck. In the end you always end up getting fucked. I'm sure you have, but I hope you've learned your lesson if you haven't.
No problem on the e-mail. As I said, I am always open to new developments. (despite the language used I assure you I am more than willing to amend any info if "proof" warrants it)
For now I will at least make a note for people to check out the comments in the posts to see your response. Seems to be only fair, yes?
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