| Initiator |
Planet Illogica |
| Completion |
2008 |
| Description |
Planet Illogica grew up out of a nascent Artist-in-Residency program founded by Tonny Sorensen, CEO and Kene G, head of marketing for the Los Angeles-based fashion and events house Von Dutch. Tonny wanted to provide the formidable talent that was assembling on the edges of his brand with tools and access that would allow the individual artists to share wisdom and resources with one another, as well as with alliance partners who could help to deepen their skill sets and broaden their reach. Kene saw the potential in building a collaborative online environment that could provide the artists with a virtual home.
At the time that Von Dutch approached the AFI Digital Content Lab, the Artist-In-Residency (AIR) program already hosted more than fifty individuals. The unifying characteristic of the AIR members was raw talent and a proven dedication to their art. Tonny and Kene challenged the AFI Digital Content Lab to help define the online tools and environment that would best serve this varied group of chosen artists.
The AFI Digital Content Lab recruited a group of mentors who brought both an understanding of technology opportunities and an artistic temperament. Among the online elements that both artists and the AFI Digital Content Lab team felt were imperatives were personal profile pages that supported text, images, and video; a forum for matching strategic partners with individual artists; a marketplace in which artists might sell their wares; and a virtual lounge in which artists might exchange ideas and enjoy each others performances and artwork.
As an added bonus, several designers and programmers for Sony Playstation’s soon-to-be-released game sensation, Little Big Planet, came to the Von Dutch venue to teach AIR artists how to create their own levels within the game. Not only did the artists create game levels, they were able to populate their levels with their artwork, creating virtual galleries that any Little Big Planet player can access and enjoy today.
Tonny and Kene were so encouraged by the development of the AIR support environment that they re-branded the effort Planet Illogica and devoted the lion’s share of their own time to furthering the goals of the now digital Artist-in-Residency program.
The Planet Illogical website launched in late March 2009 (http://www.planetillogica.com). Artists already in the AIR program were invited to begin building out their showcase areas on the site and also begin sharing contacts, information, and wisdom with their peers. Fans were also invited to sign up as members of the site with special access and updates to their favorite artists. In addition, anyone playing Little Big Planet on a Sony Playstation can access the Planet Illogica galleries and game areas created by the individual artists. |
| Mentors |
Echorati Digital Media Group: Richard Cardran
Iconoculture: Andrew Hawn
Method, Inc.: John Gilles
Murphy Designs: Mark Murphy
Planet Illogica: Kene G, Tonny Sorensen
Sony Playstation: Charles Lacson, Katie Schibler
The Victor Pineda Foundation: Victor Pineda
Tom Dogma Designs: Tom Sicurella
Consultants: Damon Berger, Jeromy Stallings
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| Platform |
Broadband, Sony Playstation |
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©2007 American Film Institute. All rights reserved.