There has been an incredible amount of creativity that has gone into (RED)™. Some really talented video artists have come together to support the Windows and Dell (PRODUCT) RED™ campaign to Get a More Powerful PC. Using a little stop-motion photography, some ingenious materials and a whole lot of imagination, their results are extraordinary. Check out this video, “Dominoes”:

        
Video: Dominoes

One of the artists behind “Dominoes,” Tim Fort, was kind enough to write about his experience creating the video. We’ve all played with dominoes as kids, lining them up and knocking them down, but Tim takes the game to a whole new level:

As an International Man of Kinetic Artistry, I find myself going to interesting spots around the globe: Belgium, New York Mills, Las Vegas, and the latest, Seattle. Earlier this month, I found myself in a studio space at Seattle Grip and Lighting, working on a project for Microsoft and their Windows (PRODUCT) RED. My assignment was to design, in dominoes, various motifs: a computer, (RED) logo, a pill, heart, Africa, and musical notes. These icons represent what happens when people buy something (RED): people buy a computer, which is (RED), which raises money for medication, a sign of solidarity and love, going to people in Africa. The music notes are for the street karaoke part of the event where everyone can raise their voice for awareness of this cause. As with most video shoots, there was a lot of effort and creativity crammed into two long shooting days. It's the kind of work, though, that I find stimulating--working with bright, artistic people in an energetic environment where one's own efforts have a large impact on the final video.
 
Since the world of domino tumbling and other kinetic art is still so far on the cutting edge of the art world, it's a learn-as-you-go situation in which one often encounters unforeseen pitfalls. On this shoot, I encountered a pitfall in the form of flaky white paint on the set which caused the dominoes to stand crookedly and fall unexpectedly. However, I learned over the years that production houses can fix things with astonishing speed, and in our case, salvation came in the form of four large plexiglass sheets delivered post haste to Seattle Grip and Lighting. Once that imbroglio was resolved, the domino tumbling proceeded at a rapid pace. On that first shooting day, we completed the (RED) mosaic, the computer, and the pill.

On the second day of shooting, I completed the large domino heart, followed by the musical notes.Then I tackled the largest and most challenging domino set-up: an outline of Earth with a filled-in Africa. It wasn't just an issue of creating a recognizable globe, but also getting the complex pattern of dominoes to fall in the correct sequence. Luckily, the Earth pattern of dominoes worked the first time.  While I had a few small mishaps due to Flying Elbow Syndrome, I was fortunate in that all of my domino set-ups worked correctly when the cameras were rolling. After we finished the main shooting, we got a few shots of one of my other kinetic-art techniques, a kinetic flip-book of sorts that I call a Muybridgeoscope, and got some excellent shots of animation sequences.
 
Thanks to the efforts of Jessica, Vince, Celene, Kristen, Michelle, and Sarah, we got terrific footage of 6,000 dominoes. I'm very curious to see the finished video and how it will be implemented in a video-wall display. Not only did I enjoy working with dominoes, but this project was rewarding in a deeper sense as my efforts will help the (RED) program to save lives in Africa.
 
Tim Fort, July 21st, 2008

 
What I took away from watching Tim’s work is that the power of (RED) is truly a chain-reaction. A finger enters a computer screen, and with one simple push of a domino, patterns result that symbolize how Windows and Dell (PRODUCT) RED helps to eliminate AIDS in Africa. The stream of falling red dominoes flow to create an image of a computer, which then turns into a (RED) banner. The sale of these (RED) Dell PCs help to fund life-preserving antiretroviral (ARV) medication for people living with AIDS in Africa – hence the next domino patterns of a pill, a heart, the Earth and Africa. Once we see the musical notes – a nod to our collective power when we come together and raise our voice – the patterns begin over again and the cycle continues. When you make the purchasing choice to buy a More Powerful PC, the resulting flow of funds to help eliminate AIDS in Africa is as effortless as the falling dominoes effortless – unlike Tim’s intricate work.

You can check out Tim’s video along with all of the other captivating videos in all of their full glory at the Raise (YOUR) Voice events throughout the country – just check out the schedule in the upper right hand corner of this blog.

It’s time for some Chicago style performing, with a (RED)™ spotlight. Starting Wednesday, July 30th, through August 2nd, you’ll see the big (RED) van rollin’ through the city. Look for the van downtown Chicago from 9 pm to 1 am. We’ll be rockin’ Lincoln Park, Wicker Park, Bucktown & River North. Sign up for Alerts for up to the minute whereabouts of the action.

Lincoln Park at the Ole Lounge
Wednesday, July 30th  & Thursday, July 31st
8pm – 10pm
2812 N Lincoln Ave. at the intersection of Lincoln, Diversey & Racine

Wicker Park at Moonshine
Friday August 1st & Saturday August 2nd
9pm – 11pm
1824 W Division Street

Help paint this city of blues with (RED) and make a little music! And while you rock out with (RED), you’ll also be supporting the Global Fund to help eliminate AIDS in Africa. 

And speaking of (RED), here are some famous Reds in Chicago History:

Red Grange

Named the greatest college football player of all time by ESPN in 2008, the “Galloping Ghost” was a standout halfback in the 1920s and 30s who played for the University of Illinois, as well as the NFL’s Chicago Bears. Harold Edward “Red” Grange, nicknamed for his red hair, is credited for professional football’s rise of popularity to the mainstream sports fan.

Despite his many achievements on the gridiron, including helping the Bears win consecutive championships in 1932 and 1933, Grange is best remembered for one remarkable game. Facing off against the unbeaten University of Michigan on October 28, 1924, Grange led the Fighting Illini to a rout, scoring five touchdowns for a total of 402 yards, and passing for a sixth. Grantland Rice to wrote this poem about Grange’s feat:

    A streak of fire, a breath of flame
    Eluding all who reach and clutch;
    A gray ghost thrown into the game
    That rival hands may never touch;
    A rubber bounding, blasting soul
    Whose destination is the goal — Red Grange of Illinois!

“Red Rain”

The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 burned the city to the ground for two days straight, killing hundreds and leaving thousands homeless. The fire left four square miles in ruins. As burning cinders fell from the sky, historical accounts describe the night sky as filled with “red rain.”

The unknown cause of the fire was first blamed on Catherine O’Leary’s cow! Rumor had it that the pyromaniacal bovine kicked over a kerosene lamp that started the blaze. However, an unscrupulous newspaper reporter finally ‘fessed up to inventing the colorful story, clearing the slander against the good cow’s name (which was either Daisy, Madeline, or Gwendolyn… a mystery for another post).

The “Woman In Red”

Ana Cumpanas, a Romanian immigrant, was the unlikely informant to finger the notorious Midwestern bank robber, John Dillinger. Cumpanas, also known as Anna Sage, operated a brothel just over the Illinois border in Gary, Indiana. Faced with the threat of deportation due to the illicit operation, Cumpanas cut a deal with the Feds to rat out Dillinger, who was wanted for the cold-blooded murder of two of Chicago’s finest.

On July 22, 1934, Cumpanas tipped off the FBI that she would be accompanying Dillinger to the movies that evening to see the gangster flick Manhattan Melodrama at Lincoln Park’s Biograph Theater. The G-Men had the joint staked out, but couldn’t locate Dillinger as the audience left the theater. Cumpanas, clad in a red dress, signaled the authorities to Dillinger’s location, and it was curtains for Johnny.

Big Red

Sure, Chicago’s William Wrigley Jr. Company has created a wide variety of delicious chewable sugar confections over the years, but in the humble opinion of this blogger, none quite pack the flavorful delirium of the cinnamon divinity that is Big Red chewing gum. The 70s were a tumultuous time of social experimentation and ennui for America, yet the 1975 creation of Wrigley’s Big Red helped the country “stick” together, while providing us with amazing fresh breath to boot.

(PRODUCT) RED™ and Everest Team INSPI(RED) have done wonders in raising awareness about the fight against the AIDS pandemic in Africa. Now, we here at Raise (Your) Voice want to build upon their momentum to affect some real change. Whether you have been following the adventures of Everest Team INSPI(RED) as they climbed the summit of Mount Everest or are visiting this blog for the first time, we want you to join us as we continue this journey all over the U.S. to help eliminate AIDS in Africa.

My name is Johnny Maguire and I am excited to be a part of this new blog.  I'll be taking you behind the scenes and keeping you up-to-date on what's going on.

What is (RED)™?

For more information, visit JOINRED.COM.

(RED)™ was created by Bono and Bobby Shriver, Chairman of DATA, to raise awareness and money for the Global Fund by teaming up with the world's most iconic brands to produce (PRODUCT)RED branded products. A percentage of each (PRODUCT)RED product sold is given to the Global Fund. The money helps women and children affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa.

What's the meaning of the parentheses or brackets? Well, we call them "the embrace." Each company that becomes (RED) places its logo in this embrace and is then elevated to the power of red. Thus the name -- (PRODUCT) RED.

In other words...
(RED) partners with companies to make PRODUCT (RED) branded products – from Converse shoes to Dell PCs and much more – and up to 50% of the profits from the item go to the Global Fund’s AIDS prevention and treatment programs. For example, say you need a new PC. You can buy a state-of-the-art Dell (PRODUCT) RED desktop with Windows Vista Ultimate (PRODUCT) RED, and at no extra cost to you, could provide six months worth of life-preserving antiretroviral (ARV) medication for a person in Africa living with AIDS. When you think of all the PCs sold in the U.S. every year, well… suddenly I don’t feel so helpless.

One of the great things about (RED) is that it’s about strength in numbers.  Every person who chooses (RED) when they shop, helps a person with AIDS in Africa get healthy and lead a productive life.

DO THE (RED) THING™

This blog is here to support (RED), along with Dell (PRODUCT) RED and Windows Vista Ultimate (PRODUCT) RED to raise awareness for their Get A More Powerful PC campaign. There are big plans in the works - huge events all over the U.S. to check out where you can help by “raising your voice” with others through the power of song.

So get your (RED) on and check back right here for updates on this summer’s events.  We’re going to be posting some great stuff, like interviews, features, and all that’s happening from the road. It’s gonna be a fun ride.