Tuesday

Paper Cuts - KMO Studio Takes an X-Acto to NYC


Wow! Over at JailBreak this morning, they are featuring this incredible map by Charlotte, NC based, KMO studio. Each borough is a 3' x 4' layer, and when combined, the city begins to take shape. Nice! Jailbreak seems to be shocked by the $550 price tag for this baby. I think it's a total bargain. Hello, architects? You should by this and put it in your reception area. link

via NotCot

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Posted by Paul Overton at 8:25 AM
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13 comments:

  1. That is complete insanity and genius at once. It makes the papercraft I was just working on look pretty insignificant.

    Wow.
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  2. The price tag is only shocking if you've never picked up an X-acto knife to cut *anything.* Or even just watched someone else do it... I don't even want to think about how long that took to make.
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  3. bex - Right? This is insanity.

    Kristen - Agreed. This thing looks like somebody working out some OCD with a knife. Beautiful/mind-boggling.
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  4. Time consuming yes, but other than that not that impressive.

    Its the paper cutting version of tracing a map. No curves, no artistry, no decision making, just rote repetition.
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  6. I've done similarly detailed work with a pen plotter with a cutting blade, and it's even easier with a laser etcher or a CNC machine. I've also worked with vector maps (not of New York City streets), and was able to convert them to HPGL vector files that I could send to the cutter. Depending on the machine, it could be done with paper, vinyl, plastic, steel, etc.

    That doesn't mean it's not worth respect. From the look of the photos, it's still a nice piece of work, but not nearly the effort it seems like. However, if the craftsmanship is superior and the concept is solid, then sure, it could easily be worth $550 to someone who really loves it.
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  7. All- Thanks for the passionate comments. To me, cool stuff is cool stuff, but I respect your points of view. Thanks for taking the time to have an opinion. I always appreciate it.
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  8. Roosevelt Island, once again, feels like nobody cares about it.
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  9. Wow. I'm impressed that with all that detail it hasn't fallen apart.
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  10. Hey Paul,

    Thanks for the last couple of link backs to the jailbreak. We appreciate it. This project was crazy! I've actually been a big fan of dudecraft for a while now.

    Anyway, I thought you might be interested in seeing O'Leary's latest work: Paris In Pen and Paper. We've got an exclusive interview with her, too.

    Here's the link: http://thejailbreak.com/2009/11/03-paris-in-pen-and-paper-by-karen-oleary/

    I hope you dig it.

    Cheers,

    Quincy
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  11. Funny, I read about this on Gizmodo. I was thinking it would be cool to do this with my local maps, here in Chapel Hill, Durham. Then I come here and the artist is in Durham! Right on!
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  12. The city, minus Staten Island. We're an actual Borough! We deserve some paper-craft love too!
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  13. Wow these are really mad. I guess you used some thicker paper for this ... We tried with some more simpler things but some of them fallen apart before we could even finish it.
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