CollabCon Sandbox: Paterson and the Boogs
This page is for collaborative writing efforts of:
Boogey_Man23
PatersonFerreted
Deadline Coming
No pressure! :D
Writer-to-writer messages.
I reckon that what our central anomaly is will depend on which GOI combination we choose to use. I jotted down some rough plot ideas on the next tab, we can decide which path might have better potential.
…
I agree. I added to the Ideas tab as well, and I'll mull over a potential central anomaly tonight. You mentioned in one of your PM's your affiliation with the creation of Mu-3. Is Mu-3 something you would like to involve in this story? Also… Great choice of a nickname! :) I have high hopes for this competition, I reckon we'll churn out some really great writing!
…
Yes, I think the Foundation being a third party in the story will provide us with more creative options, and I'd like if a couple Mu-3 agents filled that role (which fits, since they track MC&D brokers so could find out about the events taking place that way).
As for the angles, my gut feeling is this: The Wilson's line might be more straightforward, simpler to execute. It could be a case of the Wilson's guy being lured, tempted, or tricked by the greasy broker and only in the end they manage to find a way out of the deal. Whereas the AWCY? line would better fit the theme of two GOIs really working together. But the conflict that comes between them may be harder to manufacture - for example, mass production devalues the original art, so logically neither party wants that. But we can probably find other ways to compromise artistic integrity for the sake of profit that would drive a wedge between them. How to resolve all that in a satisfying narrative conclusion could take some thinking too.
…
I absolutely agree :). I think the thing we have to focus on while we brainstorm is the fact that the GoIs must be collaborating. Evidently, this is something I have forgotten. Therefore, while there is still much to be gained by exploring a less-than-perfect relationship between our two GoI's, our main conflict should be external. Perhaps Mu-3 could be this external conflict, trying to sabotage a deal/relationship between our two GoI's? Anyhow, MC&D and AWCY? or Wilsons must be collaberating.
I still believe that there is more to be gained by running with an AWCY? narrative. I feel like a group of unstable paranoid artists has more storytelling potential than Wilsons, (Although if you have strong opinions against this, I am also more than happy to do Wilsons + MC&D). Our conflict, which then generates our central anomaly and conclusion, still has to be decided.
…
Okay, I can dig that. So we'll have AWCY? artists and an MC&D broker together putting on an event to show off and/or sell some art, and it'll be the Foundation that steps in to secretly sabotage the party and spoil the relationship. We can probably portray that in an entertaining way, maybe the MTF trying to frame it up so each group blames the other.
That makes content for a tale. We also need a SCP or GOI Format. Perhaps the artists' proposal for the main attraction or centerpiece of the exhibit; or maybe giving the artwork (or the artists themselves) an SCP designation in the end. Or a record of the broker's dealings with the artists before this one event.
…..
Yes, so, seeing as we have 5 days to have our two stories posted and we have a clear idea for a basic storyline (I Think :)):
A group of anartists reaches out to MC&D as a means of displaying their anomalous artwork. They and MC&D arrange for an exhibition/art gala to be held, although MC&D believes it should double as an auction for the art. This causes some tension between the two GoI, yet the main source of conflict comes from Mu-3, a SCP Foundation team, which uses (Sorry, my computer didn't save everything after this)
…
Oh yeah, I didn't even notice the deadline was so tight! Alright, so Foundation agents infiltrate the event and do everything they can to make things go wrong and tensions boil over between the artists and the broker.
So I think we'll need to come up some character outlines, and plot beats to execute. Personalities for the broker and the artists, and ways that they can be made to get mad at each other. I'll add to the next tab over any ideas I can come up with.
…….
Right, sorry about the half-paragraph above, my computer didn't save it because apparently, it hates me D:. A challenge to overcome now is our second narrative (Which will either be a SCP/ GoI format) to tie into our story.
If we have the second narrative before the tale, I imagine it would be an ACWY? Format (Detailing what the artwork that is being displayed in the gala is) or maybe an MC&D format (Detailing the business plan for the gala and/or past relationship with the group of AWCY? artists). The benefits of doing this are being able to introduce our storyline, characters, and GoIs before the tale, which will be covering a lot anyway.
Another option is doing an SCP/GoI format after the events of the gala/tale. Depending on the ending of our tale, this could be an SCP, detailing the anomalous art, or perhaps the artists themselves as you mentioned. There is also potential to use one of the other two GoI formats, although I think an SCP would work best in this slot. If we have our second narrative at the end, it will help us end on a satisfying conclusion.
Personally, I believe that writing a GoI before the tale is the way to go, but this is just because I prefer writing GoI's to SCP's. I am open to writing whatever you want :). On a slightly more serious note though, since the time we have left is relatively small, I am going to open a tab for the tale so we can start writing that, as well as throwing some ideas on the newly formatted Ideas Tab (Thanks for doing that BTW).
…
Great, sounds like we're on the same page here. I think whipping up an MC&D format might be the best choice for this. The format will allow us to throw up some tables with dollar amounts to show that the relation is decently profitable for each side, some internal communications memos to give the characters and their relations some definition by how they talk to each other, and probably a good lead-in to the night in question - when our tale takes place.
Funnily enough, I was hashing out some rough character outlines in my other sandbox at the same time and came up with kinda similar stuff - like the art group being a trio of distinct personalities, and the broker grudgingly tolerating these eccentric artists for the sake of making a profit. I also listed some loose ideas for methods to turn the party into a trainwreck - if these seem good enough, then it's just a matter of setting the scenes and letting the events take place. Let's try first to get the tale complete, short and sweet - then if we aren't pushing deadline by then we can maybe expand scenes with more detail.
…..
I have gotten a start on writing an MC&D GOI Format (plugging in a tab for it next to the tale one). Still would like to have one more auction and a few more memos, and also need to plug in some short ideas for minor art items to sell. Some of the names and details are just placeholders that can be changed.
…..
The MC&D Doc looks great! I am 100% happy to build off that for the tale.
…
More or less complete rough draft on GOI Format - just needs placeholders (example basic artpieces for auctions, memos etc.) filled in. Also some basic beats for what the Mu-3 team are going to try to accomplish and how - just gotta flesh out the contextual details, and then convert the events into proper prose.
This is gonna be really tight getting in before contest deadline (probably we'll be coldposting if we're gonna make it). I'll ask now: what are your thoughts on getting whatever we can submitted on time and less-than-best-it-could-be VS. our team no-showing on the contest and putting the work out later on? We've got a day or two to think on it, maybe see how much we can get done in that time before deciding an answer.
…..
I have just posted a 1st-draft starter for the Tale, so tell me how you like it. Ideally, it would be about 1/4 of the tale. Thanks for the Mu-3 prompts as well, they were quite helpful. I think I can get a finished ok first draft in exactly one day, especially if you help out with a proof-read, correction and second opinion. Do you think you will have a workable MC&D format in 24 hours? I think we post what we have in a day/24 hours. I will also be adding to and improving our articles when the competition ends as well. To gain co-author credit on both pieces, do you want to draft a few paragraphs on the Tale and I fill in the gaps for the GoI format?
…
Awesome! Great start with the tale. And yeah, that sounds like a good idea in order for us to each get our fingerprints on each of the articles: If you can fill in the blanks on some anart examples left to do in the GOI Format that'd be great, and I'll definitely review and see about reworking/adding some sections for the Tale draft.
Also yes, however the work performs on site I'll be keen to polish it up more after the competition ends. Looking good!
…
I do you think that for a short term solution to have our writing finished in the time frame, that the Tale doesn't need another large section (of course, It could be far better/longer but do we have the time?) and it could just be published like it is (With some changes to link it up to the MC&D doc better)? The MC&D Document is brilliant by the way :)
Edit: Hi, unfortunately, I am having problems with the formatting for the MC&D. Its really a quite minor thing, but a small rectangle has appeared just under 'External Report 13', and I can't remove it. Thanks!
…
Yeah those table formats can be finicky, no worries. For now I'm doing side work in my sandbox on minor touch-ups to the GOI Format and some revisions on the tale content. You can check it out here, please let me know if you feel I'm overstepping with any changes or omitting any details you want us to keep in (I do tend toward a kind of laconic writing style, maybe too much at times).
I feel like, even if each following bit of action is brief, it will play better to have one or two additional incidents to compound the effect of ending the AWCY?/MC&D partnership. We can shuffle it up some, maybe have that a guest-disguised Agent was gushing to Ivan over the car (they saw it before it got wrecked) saying how they intended to pay any price to get it off the auction block - Ivan is looking forward to getting a big cut of that big pricetag, when Emma tells him the car is totalled he gets super mad at MC&D for letting this happen. And then something with Emma getting the vibe that their group's reputation is going downhill that's the last straw and the GOIs' partnership is beyond saving.
I don't think I'd have guessed yesterday we'd get this far along today, so things are actually looking pretty decent.
And if you don't like that countdown timer up there, go ahead and remove it. It expires about half an hour before deadline (if I set it right). No pressure! :D
…
No Problem! The done-up tale looks great, its absolutely amazing. I think we are in a good position to have both of our narratives published by today…. I'll go ahead and fill in the last empty paragraph for the GoI format, now, and I think we get these published by the end of today! :D
Edit: Hi again. I was having //another // problem with the formatting for the MC&D doc, by 'Auction Record 3'. If that could be fixed, that would be great!
…
Alright, putting what will be our final copy versions at the bottom of the page here. I'm stuck working on my phone just now, but will try to get everything down there that needs to be.
We need to think of a title for the tale.
Edit: 12 hours left - I'm going to go ahead and post all this in a bit.
…
And I just went and posted our entries - hopefully that's cool! I updated our slot in the contest page with them as well, and put in a thread post so the attribution metadata should get handled.
I guess now we'll see how we do. I'm pretty happy with the work we put out, especially with being under that tight deadline.
It has been a pleasure to work with you!
To lay out behind-the-scenes details, and other stuff.
Rough Plot Ideas
MC&D / AWCY? Angle
- An Anartist arranges to have MC&D invest money for an event that will allow them to show off their artwork.
- Anartist demands total creative control over everything, insisting MC&D is merely financing their artistic vision.
- MC&D is more concerned with pulling a profit out of the event, they demand the event is geared towards being marketable to their own clientelle.
- Conflict follows, … Create a story.
MC&D / AWCY? Angle II
- AWCY? is depicted most often as a scattered crowd of Anartists whose goal in life is to get their anomalous artwork housed in an art gala called Sommes-Nous Devenus Magnifiques? which happens every 10 years. It's a bit one-dimensional, I know, but it's something that almost all material about AWCY? involves. For example, the GoI Format for AWCY? is a proposal for a piece of anomalous artwork to be part of Sommes-Nous Devenus Magnifiques?. Building on this concept, shouldn't this great big art gala be involved somehow if we do end up writing about AWCY?.
- A group of disgruntled anartists have their proposal rejected by the curators of Sommes-Nous Devenus Magnifiques?, and turn to MC&D as a means of displaying their work.
- Through MC&D, the small sect of AWCY? find a receptive audience to their art, and the curators of Sommes-Nous Devenus Magnifiques? start to take an interest in them.
- However, hijinks ensue when MC&D start pressuring the Anartists to mass-produce their artwork, which is a horrifying concept to a paranoid group of artists who believe their art to be uniquely sacred.
- Conflicts follows… Create a story.
MC&D / Wilson's Angle
- A Wilson's representative believes he has found a good home for some anomalous animal, and the prospective adopter is willing to pay handsomely.
- The adopter is a broker with MC&D, who sees the potential to use this anomalous animal for some profitable endeavour.
- The MC&D broker has no reservations about subjecting the animal to cruelty or exploitation in order to get the best price from any potential buyer. The Wilson's rep would not accept that sort of treatment for the animal.
- Conflict follows, … Create a story.
Anomalous Item Ideas
AWCY? Anomalous Art
'Art', of course, can be a lot of things and AWCY? installations have been interpreted in a heap of different ways. Some of the linked pages might give you an idea of what others have done with the concept of 'anomalous' art, or how they have used it to deliver interesting messages and concepts:
'My Fathers Values': http://www.scp-wiki.net/project-proposal-2004-024
'A Day in a Roman Court': http://www.scp-wiki.net/project-proposal-1994-87-a-day-in-the-roman-court
'Losing Your Cool': http://www.scp-wiki.net/project-proposal-2004-013-2014-114-2024-072
I also have a half-finished draft for an AWCY? Pitch Proposal which could potentially be reutilized if we do decide to go down that route:
Wilsons Wildlife Solutions
Assuming that, If we base our story around WWS, a big point of conflict will be animal welfare. To emphasize this, perhaps our animal could have come to the town of Boring where WWS is based after being abused or mistreated by its past owners. Maybe it even comes from Herman Fullers Circus of The Disquieting.
Setting: An art gala event intended to cater towards MC&D clients and display the works of a collective of AWCY? artists. The Art Gala is held in Melbourne, Australia in an exhibition hall in the Crown (A Upmarket Melbourne casino) complex. This has been insisted on by MC&D to better appeal to potential customers against the protests of the AWCY? collective, who wanted the gala held in a disused warehouse in Richmond which doubled as their studio. This is a source of minor conflict and occurs before the start of the tale.
Characters
AWCY?:
Emma Martin: A 'veteran' artist who has had her art housed in Sommes-Nous Devenus Magnifiques? several times. She acts as our face for AWCY? and leads the collective. She is quite paranoid, especially about 'the system and the big brother government'. A bit of a hippy maybe?.
Isaac: Skeptical about MC&D and it's rich customers but in need of its money.
James (?): Brilliant artist, but very introverted and socially awkward.
MC&D Rep:
Like Louis Litt from Suits, if you watch the show. Our MC&D rep is arrogant, foul-tempered and impatient (and wears bespoke suits). Basically, I imagine him as a uniform face for MC&D, a rep that has not many individual features and is there to only oversee the sale, then charm up potential buyers, before handing the AWCY? collective a tidy sum. Not very artistic at all.
Mu-3:
MTF Agents
- Leader character
- Overwatch position: Co-ordinating actions of undercover agents.
- …
- Undercover elements
- As many as necessary; disguised as guests, drink service / catering staff, or contracted security. Covertly carrying out actions which will upset both the artists and the brokers.
- …
Actions
Ways to sabotage the event?
- Allow one of the artists to get really drunk and/or high, so he'll say and do things to offend the MC&D clients.
- Interfere with presentation of one of the artist's biggest pieces - detail-oriented, they will be upset if the timing and circumstances are not just right for unveiling.
- Ensure one of the artists overhears rumours that his group's reputation in the anart scene is being hurt by selling out to fancy dress balls.
- Subtly discourage attendees from purchasing art themselves, negatively impacting the broker's earnings from the event.
Plot
What to do: Get an artist intoxicated.
How to do it: Agents disguised as guests engage with the artist, affably claiming to be great fans of their work in particular. They encourage, propose toasts, and try to get as many glasses of champagne as possible into the artist in a short time.
How to convey it: …
What to do: Discourage sales among genuine guests (MC&D's clients)
How to do it: Agents disguised as guests spread an attitude that these artworks are becoming too mainstream and losing their original appeal for being rare and unique. Pieces bought here tonight will only depreciate in value after the next big auction in a few months time.
How to convey it: …
What to do: Interfere with unveiling of a particular central exhibit.
How to do it: Agents disguised as contracted labourers manufacture technical difficulties which prevent the piece from being displayed as planned. (Maybe it's meant to be revealed right at sunset, or some other specific condition that will undermine the effect if not achieved.)
How to convey it: …
What to do: Imply that the art group's credibility in the anart scene is being negatively affected by association with the rich and pampered MC&D crowd.
How to do it: Agents disguised as guests engage with artist and not-so-subtly make this implication during their conversation.
How to convey it: …
What to do: …
How to do it: …
How to convey it: …
"That's the art crowd for you; fickle bunch, what can you do?" - MTF Mu-3 Field Officer Joel Fitzgerald
…
Tale Tab!
Continue writing here:
…can't reach me, report to Field Officer Fitzgerald, he'll be posing as a caterer. Chapman's fucking untouchable, but the artists are the weak link here, so go ahead and bring'em down a few pegs for me, eh? - MTF Mu-3 Squad Leader
The auction looked perfect; extravagant without being over the top, glamorous without being tacky. The marble floor sparkled and the chandeliers dangled and Emma Martin hated every part of it. The deep blues and layered paint on the canvas's seemed shallow and insignificant in the enormous room, and her sculptures, the ones with the unnatural angles and textured meanings which cast impossible shadows, were drowned out in cloying, heavy light. Goddamn it! This was Melbourne, this was her city and the auction, her art was being displayed at a fucking casino instead of the studio, her studio This was shaping up to be worse than the fiasco in Milan.
Lost in her thoughts, Emma didn't notice Gerald Chapman until he was beside her. But James did, and he wrung his hands as he moved closer and closer.
'Hello' Mr Chapman said, talking over the murmuring crowd as Emma forced a smile.
'Hi' she replied and glanced at James, who was studiously looking anywhere.
but Gerald.
'There's a problem with one of the, ah, installations' he began and started to stride forward. Emma followed, with James tagging along behind her like a shadow.
'A problem? Which installation?'
'The car with the reality bending windscreen', he replied. Emma's brows furrowed.
'Ivan's Bentley? What happened?'
The Bentley was Ivan's pride and joy, he'd even proposed to have it in Sommes-Nous Devenus Magnifiques? MC&D spent a fortune supplying reality bending glass and even she didn't know where he got the music from, but the modified Bentley was a life-changing expression of powerlessness and anxiety and-
'It crashed.'
"What the hell do you mean; it crashed? The car doesn't move, it had tire clamps. How the hell can it crash?'
'The tire clamps opened and the car fell off it's pedestal. Bloody shame to, the interest in the car was quite extraordinary'.
Emma's heart sank, as the marble pedestal the car rested on was several metres high. 'All four tire clamps opened?'
Mr Chapman's expressionless face almost never betrayed emotion, but Emma could see a flicker of frustration dance across it before it was suppressed.
'Yes' he said, 'All four tire clamps opened. Would you have any idea why?'.
Emma opened her mouth, shut it, then opened it again. But before she could answer, they came upon the wrecked car. The installation had held centre stage by the doors, greeting wealthy patrons as they drifted in and out. James had installed a weak memetic compulsion field around it, created a voice at the back of your mind that said 'come and look closer'. The field still held, causing Emma and James to gaze at the ruined installation with a morbid fascination. The vintage car really did crash, it's hood crumpled and chassis dented. It lay on it's side, next to the pedestal it fell off, the priceless anomalous glass shattered into thousands of tiny pieces, the anxiety inducing music warbling from broken speakers. James uttered a squeak, then darted behind Emma like a toddler, and started trembling. Beside her Mr Chapman gritted his teeth, his lips pressed into a thin white line. Around the broken car a crowd of curious onlookers gathered, snapping pictures with phones, and it was these flashes that rosed Emma from her state of shocked horror. Ivan was gonna be pissed.
'….Fitzgerald, the glass sample is taped to the bottom of catering trolley seventeen…. Uh…. Well, it certainly riled the crowd up. The car's out of action though….Oh, they have no idea what happened…..' - MTF Mu-3 Undercover Agent
GOI Format Tab!
| XXXXX/XXXXX/XXXXX |
| Status |
Selling |
| Demand |
Medium |
| Value |
2000 - 20000 USD |
| Availability |
Unique/Established Supply Chain |
| Identifier |
Art By Oswaldo |
| Description |
A variety of anart pieces in assorted mediums (including paintings, sculptures, and interactive installations). Traditional artistic forms are infused with memetic elements which greatly enhance the appeal to viewers. The artists' collective known as Oswaldo is exceptionally capable of creating such pieces. |
| Marshall, Carter and Dark, LLP |
| Initial Report |
| Author |
Gerald Chapman |
Date |
May 27, 2018 |
| Interest |
Medium |
Identifier |
Art by Oswaldo |
I was visiting the estate of a personal associate when, in their lounge, I found myself enthralled with a particular painting upon their wall. As such frivolous diversion typically fails to attract my attentions, I felt compelled to ask my host more about it. This was my first exposure to the art of Oswaldo.
Oswaldo was not one man, he told me, but rather the self-styled name of a collective of artists. It so happened that the creator of this particular piece currently worked out of a studio in the city nearby. Whether it was some latent instinct for business within me, or a lingering remnant of that painting's magic, I sought out the artist in their workspace soon after.
Emma Martin defied my initial expectations. She was mature, she knew very much about the techniques of such work; but what's more, she had a keen insight to "the anart scene" at large. Though it took some persuasive charm on my part, we came to an arrangement which should be mutually beneficial for all parties involved. The artists of Oswaldo receiving financial support and a platform for exposure, and our own clients having the opportunity to purchase these attractive items. |
| File Opened Under: |
XXXXX/XXXXX/XXXXX |
| Marshall, Carter and Dark, LLP |
| Auction Record 01 |
| XXXXX/XXXXX/XXXXX |
| Date |
October 2, 2018 |
Location |
New York |
| Auctioneer |
George DiCalvo |
Lot |
4 of 11 |
| Listing |
You - Anomalous Sculpture by Emma Martin
From the visionary Melbourne based Oswaldo, a branch of world-leading anart collective Are We Cool Yet? comes a one-of-a-kind expression of human passion and sensation, created by an artist who uses your emotion like paint and memetic effects like a brush. You is a life-size sculpture of a human man (2.3 x 1.0 x 0.6), made entirely of glass, with ripples of anomalous dye caught swaying throughout the sculpture which is seen most clearly in the head, torso, and fingertips. The free-standing sculpture stands upon a polished granite block which conceals a memetic device designed to read and mirror the 'base emotion' of nearby gazers. In response to memetic feedback, the dye inside of the sculpture ripples and changes colour, and the glass which makes up the head (down to 0.45 from the top) partially melts and distorts, creating a slow-moving, unmistakenly human, face. The unforgettable sculpture is unique, handcrafted, and perfect for private introspection or public immersion. (Marshall, Carter and Dark LLP takes no responsibility for psychological damage resulting from this item.) |
| Name |
Bid |
Comments |
| Earl Dunn |
2700 USD |
|
| Susan Rewse |
3000 USD |
|
| Blanche Lewis |
3200 USD |
|
| Earl Dunn |
3300 USD |
|
| Roland Fletcher |
4000 USD |
|
| Susan Rewse |
4600 USD |
|
| Cathy Mitchell |
5000 USD |
MC&D actor to raise bids. |
| Blanche Lewis |
5500 USD |
|
| Susan Rewse |
5800 USD |
Requests for sculpture to be remade in female form. Request was vehemently denied by sculptor, who stated resistance to remaking her art; calling it 'sacrilege'. Susan then withdrew from auction, reducing the potential profit from sale. |
| Roland Fletcher |
6000 USD |
Winner of auction. |
| Marshall, Carter and Dark, LLP |
| Memo 01 |
| XXXXX/XXXXX/XXXXX |
| Sender |
Gerald Chapman |
Recipient |
Emma Martin |
I do hope that the success of the other night's event has dispelled any lingering reservations you may have had about our new arrangements. The remunerative commissions have by this time already been deposited in the accounts of yourself and your fellow artists.
While the intimate atmosphere provided by the venue did add a certain degree of ambiance, I would like to see an increase in creative output moving forward. There is potential for larger auctions to be supported, if the demand can be met. |
| Marshall, Carter and Dark, LLP |
| Auction Record 03 |
| XXXXX/XXXXX/XXXXX |
| Date |
April 13, 2019 |
Location |
Milan |
| Auctioneer |
Luigi Venturi |
Lot |
10 of 32 |
| Listing |
Unlogical - Anomalous Sculpture By Emma Martin, Ivan Isaac, James Franz
From the visionary Melbourne based Oswaldo, a branch of world-leading anart collective Are We Cool Yet? comes an impossible sculpture handcrafted by a trio of anartists who mould the impossible and the unimaginable like clay. The statue is a dark, polished marble block (3.0 x 1.2 x 0.5) with a textured surface and deeply layered colours. The block's excellence sources from a memetic device inside it, which reads and manipulates subconscious thoughts to give the block the appearance of moving. Anyone within three-meters from the block sees it morphing and shifting on its pedestal, melting into impossible angles and surreal shapes, flowing like mercury through the air. The mismerising sculpture is one-of-a-kind, handcrafted and surely a must have for any tasteful art collecter. (Marshall, Carter and Dark LLP takes no responsibility for any damage resulting from missuse this item.) |
| Name |
Bid |
Comments |
| Matthew Holt |
7500 USD |
|
| Brendan Cochrane |
9900 USD |
|
| Clora Simmons |
11000 USD |
|
| Matthew Holt |
12000 USD |
|
| Adam Lane |
14000 USD |
MC&D actor to raise bids. |
| Pauline Weaver |
15000 USD |
|
| Adam Lane |
16500 USD |
MC&D actor to raise bids. |
| Brendan Cochrane |
17500 USD |
|
| Pauline Weaver |
19000 USD |
Winner of auction. |
| Marshall, Carter and Dark, LLP |
| External Report 13 |
| XXXXX/XXXXX/XXXXX |
| Organisation |
Are We Cool Yet? |
Acquired |
May 02, 2019 |
| Method of Acquisition |
Request for materials forwarded to Mr. Chapman by a member of Oswaldo. |
| Document |
Mr. Chapman;
Here is the full list of anomalous materials needed for the upcoming auction. Please note that once again James has elected to construct his memetic drives with 'found materials' and will not be needing materials provided, just straight cash. He requests $8500. Ivan requires a further 500mL of the anomalous dye as used in the sculpture 'You' and a Class II Scranton Reality Anchor. I (Emma Martin) will require a Class III Scranton Reality Anchor, the left forelimb of a six-year-old, pure white rabbit which lives in Denmark and a live Australian Fruit Bat. In addition to this, James has mentioned the existence of anomalous, programmable, reality-bending sheets of glass capable of displaying abstract images and scenes. An amount of glass which could be molded into a replacement set of windows and windscreens for a 2004 Bentley Continental would be greatly appreciated for use in an interactive installation. Thanks in advance.
Best regards, Oswaldo: AWCY? Melbourne Branch. |
| Marshall, Carter and Dark, LLP |
| Memo 19 |
| XXXXX/XXXXX/XXXXX |
| Sender |
Gerald Chapman |
Recipient |
Emma Martin |
Is your colleague really serious about this latest request? Do you realize that the material costs of the glass alone practically negate any potential profit for such a limited novelty?
We are trying to entice clientele of particular tastes with these items. They must be attractive to the prospective buyer, and something that they will want to take home with them. I will encourage you to keep these details in mind as we move forward. |
| Marshall, Carter and Dark, LLP |
| Memo 20 |
| XXXXX/XXXXX/XXXXX |
| Sender |
Emma Martin |
Recipient |
Gerald Chapman |
Gerald, let me remind you of our conversation last summer. You promised opportunities; for exposure, for money, for a chance to expand the scope of our artistic projects. But the direction of things lately is troubling to me.
This was supposed to open doors to us, let us broaden our creative horizons and make even our boldest visions manifest. Instead we are being boxed in; finding not an open field of possibilities to roam in, but a narrow corridor of permitted expression!
Even with young new talent joining the core group of Oswaldo, it's becoming a strain to fill the number of spaces asked for at each auction. If we must produce some number of pieces for the sake of your sales, I should expect you to indulge us in at least a few passion projects of our own. |
| Marshall, Carter and Dark, LLP |
| Memo 21 |
| XXXXX/XXXXX/XXXXX |
| Sender |
Gerald Chapman |
Recipient |
Emma Martin |
Please, let me assure you that to stifle your creativity is the opposite of my intent. I do appreciate how you've accomplished the increased production; I applaud the depth of your creative abilities.
Having considered the matter further, I will arrange for this particular 'passion project' of yours to be supplied as requested. You certainly do deserve a degree of creative input in our partnership. To that end, I am also exploring options to accommodate your request to stage our next event in Australia. Some of my associates felt that it was something of a step down, after the European scene. But by coordinating with the broker handling a seperate venture of ours, we should be able to reach a satisfactory agreement. You're welcome. |
| Marshall, Carter and Dark, LLP |
To keep track of feedback received (and to note who from).
…
[[include component:mcd-theme]]
| LB7RE/C9Y9A/ND5E3 |
| Status |
Selling |
| Demand |
Medium |
| Value |
2000 - 30000 USD |
| Availability |
Unique/Established Supply Chain |
| Identifier |
Art By Oswaldo |
| Description |
A variety of anart pieces in assorted mediums (including paintings, sculptures, and interactive installations). Traditional artistic forms are infused with memetic elements which greatly enhance the appeal to viewers. The artists' collective known as Oswaldo is exceptionally capable of creating such pieces. |
| Marshall, Carter and Dark, LLP |
| Initial Report |
| Author |
Gerald Chapman |
Date |
May 27, 2018 |
| Interest |
Medium |
Identifier |
Art by Oswaldo |
I was visiting the estate of a personal associate when, in their lounge, I found myself enthralled with a particular painting upon their wall. As such frivolous diversion typically fails to attract my attentions, I felt compelled to ask my host more about it. This was my first exposure to the art of Oswaldo.
Oswaldo was not one man, he told me, but rather the self-styled name for a collective of artists. It so happened that the creator of this particular piece currently worked out of a studio in the city nearby. Whether it was some latent instinct for business within me, or a lingering remnant of that painting's magic, I sought out the artist in their workspace soon after.
Emma Martin defied my initial expectations. She was mature, she knew very much about the techniques of such work; but what's more, she had a keen insight to "the anart scene" at large. Though it took some persuasive charm on my part, we came to an arrangement which should be beneficial for all parties involved. The artists of Oswaldo receiving financial support and a platform for exposure, and our own clients having the opportunity to purchase these attractive items. |
| File Opened Under: |
LB7RE/C9Y9A/ND5E3 |
| Marshall, Carter and Dark, LLP |
| Auction Record 01 |
| LB7RE/C9Y9A/ND5E3 |
| Date |
October 2, 2018 |
Location |
New York |
| Auctioneer |
George DiCalvo |
Lot |
4 of 11 |
| Listing |
You - Anomalous Sculpture by Emma Martin
From the visionary Melbourne-based Oswaldo collective, confederates of renowned anartist movement Are We Cool Yet?, comes this stunning piece.
A full-scale sculpture of a man (height: 2.3m, base: 1.0m x 0.6m) made entirely of glass, with capricious and ornate marbling patterns throughout. The item is mounted upon a handsome block of polished granite.
More than just a visual marvel, this piece offers an accurate reflection of the viewer's own inner disposition. See how colour and form alter themselves in accordance to emotion and desire! Perfect for gleaning insight when on public display, or for moments of private introspection.
(Marshall, Carter and Dark LLP takes no responsibility for misuse of this item.) |
| Name |
Bid |
Comments |
| Earl Dunn |
2700 USD |
|
| Susan Rewse |
3000 USD |
Bidder expressed their preference that the item be altered to a female form. This request was was politely declined by the auctioneer, and vehemently declined by the artist themselves. |
| Blanche Lewis |
3200 USD |
|
| Earl Dunn |
3300 USD |
|
| Roland Fletcher |
4000 USD |
|
| Cathy Mitchell |
5000 USD |
MC&D actor to raise bids. |
| Blanche Lewis |
5500 USD |
|
| Roland Fletcher |
6000 USD |
Winner of auction. |
| Marshall, Carter and Dark, LLP |
| Memo 01 |
| LB7RE/C9Y9A/ND5E3 |
| Sender |
Gerald Chapman |
Recipient |
Emma Martin |
I do hope that the success of the other night's event has dispelled any lingering reservations you may have had about our new arrangements. The remunerative commissions have by this time already been deposited in the accounts of yourself and your fellow artists.
While the intimate atmosphere provided by the venue did add a certain degree of ambiance, I would like to see an increase in creative output moving forward. There is potential for larger auctions to be supported, if the demand can be met. |
| Marshall, Carter and Dark, LLP |
| Auction Record 03 |
| LB7RE/C9Y9A/ND5E3 |
| Date |
April 13, 2019 |
Location |
Milan |
| Auctioneer |
Luigi Venturi |
Lot |
10 of 32 |
| Listing |
Unlogical - Anomalous Sculpture By Emma Martin, Ivan Isaac, James Franz
From Oswaldo, currently the fastest rising stars of the Are We Cool Yet? anart movement, we bring you this piece.
On first glance, we see an obelisk of flawless polished dark marble (height: 3 m, base: 1.2 m x 0.9 m). But come closer, and bear witness to the reshaping of reality itself. One will be entranced by surreal and amorphous changes in shapes and angles. Solid stone moving fluidly in air!
And now, this deeply thoughtful statement on the nature of firmness of adaptability can be yours. |
| Name |
Bid |
Comments |
| Matthew Holt |
7500 USD |
|
| Brendan Cochrane |
9900 USD |
|
| Clora Simmons |
11000 USD |
|
| Matthew Holt |
12000 USD |
|
| Adam Lane |
14000 USD |
MC&D actor to raise bids. |
| Pauline Weaver |
15000 USD |
Proxy bidder for an anonymous buyer. |
| Adam Lane |
16500 USD |
MC&D actor to raise bids. |
| Brendan Cochrane |
17500 USD |
|
| Pauline Weaver |
19000 USD |
Winner of auction. |
| Marshall, Carter and Dark, LLP |
| External Report 13 |
| LB7RE/C9Y9A/ND5E3 |
| Organisation |
Are We Cool Yet? |
Acquired |
May 02, 2019 |
| Method of Acquisition |
Request for materials forwarded to Mr. Chapman by members of Oswaldo. |
| Document |
Mr. Chapman;
Here is the full list of anomalous materials needed for the upcoming auction. Please note that once again James has elected to construct his memetic drives with 'found materials' and will not be needing materials provided, just straight cash. He requests $8500. Ivan requires a further 500mL of the anomalous dye as used in the sculpture 'You' and a Class II Scranton Reality Anchor. I (Emma Martin) will require a Class III Scranton Reality Anchor, the left forelimb of a six-year-old, pure white rabbit which lives in Denmark and a live Australian Fruit Bat. In addition to this, James has mentioned the existence of anomalous, programmable, reality-bending sheets of glass capable of displaying abstract images and scenes. An amount of glass which could be molded into a replacement set of windows and windscreens for a 2004 Bentley Continental would be greatly appreciated for use in an interactive installation. Thanks in advance.
Best regards, Oswaldo: AWCY? Melbourne Branch. |
| Marshall, Carter and Dark, LLP |
| Memo 19 |
| LB7RE/C9Y9A/ND5E3 |
| Sender |
Gerald Chapman |
Recipient |
Emma Martin |
Is your colleague really serious about this latest request? Do you realize that the material costs of the glass alone practically negate any potential profit for such a limited novelty?
We are trying to entice clientele of particular tastes with these items. They must be attractive to the prospective buyer, and something that they will want to take home with them. I will encourage you to keep these details in mind as we move forward. |
| Marshall, Carter and Dark, LLP |
| Memo 20 |
| LB7RE/C9Y9A/ND5E3 |
| Sender |
Emma Martin |
Recipient |
Gerald Chapman |
Gerald, I'd like to remind you of our conversation last winter. You promised opportunities; for exposure, for money, for a chance to expand the scope of our artistic projects. But the direction of things lately is troubling to me.
This was supposed to open doors for Oswaldo, let us broaden our creative horizons and make even our boldest visions manifest. Instead we are being boxed in; finding not an open field of possibilities to roam in, but a narrow corridor of permitted expression!
Even with young new talent joining the core group of Oswaldo, it's becoming a strain to fill the number of spaces asked for at each auction. If we must produce some number of pieces for the sake of your sales, I should expect you to indulge us in at least a few passion projects of our own. |
| Marshall, Carter and Dark, LLP |
| Memo 21 |
| LB7RE/C9Y9A/ND5E3 |
| Sender |
Gerald Chapman |
Recipient |
Emma Martin |
Please, let me assure you that to stifle your creativity is the opposite of my intent. I do appreciate how you've accomplished the increased production; I applaud the depth of your creative abilities.
Having considered the matter further, I will arrange for this particular 'passion project' of yours to be supplied as requested. You certainly do deserve a fair degree of creative input in our partnership. To that end, I am also exploring options to accommodate your request to stage [crosslink-goes-here our next event in Australia.]
Some of my associates felt that it was a bit of a step down, after the European scene. But by coordinating with the broker handling a seperate venture of ours, we should be able to reach a satisfactory agreement. You're welcome. |
| Marshall, Carter and Dark, LLP |
Title for Tale
"…can't reach me, look to Field Officer Fitzgerald - behind the bar, the one with the shaved head. Work with a soft touch tonight, team. It's not about the loot we take away, it's about the discord we leave behind. Chapman's out of bounds, but the artists are the weak link here, so go ahead and bring 'em down a few pegs."
- MTF Mu-3 Squad Leader Al Yorston
The venue looked perfect; understated extravagance, glamorous without being tacky. The marble floor sparkled and the chandeliers dangled and Emma Martin hated every part of it. The deep blues and layered paint on the canvasses seemed shallow and insignificant in the enormous room, and her sculptures, the ones with the unnatural angles and textured meanings which cast impossible shadows, were drowned out in cloying, heavy light. Goddamn it! This was Melbourne, this was her city. And the auction, her art was being displayed at a fucking casino instead of the studio, her studio. This was shaping up to be worse than the fiasco in Milan.
Lost in her thoughts, Emma didn't pay any mind to James' nervous hand-wringing - didn't realize that it precipitated the approach of their benefactor, the broker.
"Hello, Miss Martin."
Forcing a smile, she turned and greeted Gerald Chapman. James nodded vaguely, carefully avoiding eye contact with the man.
"We've run into a … problem. With one of the installations," Gerald flatly informed her.
Already following him across the floor between individual displays and clusters of viewers, she asked which installation it was. James tagged along behind Emma like a shadow.
"The car. With the reality bending windscreen."
Emma's brow furrowed. "Ivan's Bentley? What problem; what happened?"
This project was Ivan's pride and joy; he would have liked to showcase it at Sommes-Nous Devenus Magnifiques?, but hadn't been able to acquire the necessary materials before this 'sponsorship deal', as he insistently termed their relationship with Marshall, Carter, and Dark. That modified Bentley was a life-changing expression of powerlessness and anxiety and-
"It crashed."
"What do you mean 'it crashed'? The car doesn't move, Gerald."
"It's not supposed to move. But the wheel blocks failed… somehow… and it fell from its pedestal."
Emma's heart sank as they came upon the wreckage in the foyer. The rear end of the car pointed at an angle toward the ceiling, the crumpled front end rested on the ground, the dented chassis hung up on the edge of the raised platform. Men in clean gray coveralls - contracted labourers - buzzed about the scene, tidying up broken glass and debris while incoming guests were ushered around the now-ruined central display. "All four of the wheel blocks?"
Mr Chapman's typically stoic face, Emma noticed, betrayed a flicker of frustration. "Yes, all four. Can you think of how that possibly might have happened?" Emma tried to think of how to respond, but came up with nothing. James shrunk even further behind her, like a nervous toddler. Thankfully, Gerald's attention shifted to one of the labourers. "You! Don't junk that. I want all those glass bits bagged up and brought to the back office, understood?" The man in coveralls nodded as he tipped the contents of his dustpan into a bag.
"That's the car out of action. Got us a sample of that glass too, it's stuck to the underside of catering's trolley number seven right now. … No, they can't pin the accident on anyone. We're good."
- MTF Mu-3 Agent Hardy
Ivan was smiling. The party guests he was speaking to, a jolly heavyset man and his beautiful wife (or maybe his beautiful mistress, Ivan hadn't asked), drifted away into the crowd. Meanwhile Emma approached hesitantly; James was in tow, and even more hesitant.
"Em," Ivan spun around and beamed at her. This uncharacteristically chipper mood was making breaking the news about the car harder than it already was. "Guess what? This couple was just telling me what huge fans they are of Oswaldo. And you'll never guess what."
"Ivan,"
"They loved - loved! - Smith's Last Ride. That lady, she really got it, you know? Really appreciated what I was aiming for. And the guy, he's just gotta have it, he says. He'll pay whatever it takes, he says."
"Ivan…"
"I almost hate to see it go like that, y'know? But man, that big commish might finally put us over. Just what we need to finally cut these strings loose, know what I mean? Like, how long do we really want to keep all this going? When do we get back to working for us, right?"
"Ivan!"
"… What?"
"Yeah, we gassed him up good. … And he'll hear about the other bit soon enough? … Well, we'll see what happens. Won't be anything good, I don't think."
- MTF Mu-3 Agent McCray
"WHAT!"
If anyone's attention wasn't drawn by the shocked outburst, the drink glass shattering on the floor got it done.
"No! NO! What?! Nooo!"
"Ivan, calm down."
"How can they let that happen? How?!" Ivan paced and fumed. "These vultures! High flying scavengers! Useless fucking swine!"
Two members of the event's security staff were closing the distance to the outraged artist. Ivan, unexpectedly, snatched the drink from the hand of the nearest guest too stunned to react. He raised it above his head and, for half a second looked as though he might whip it at one of the guards. But instead he threw it down on the same spot as his first glass, then turned away and stormed to the exit.
In but a moment the tense atmosphere evaporated, and the event resumed its previous gaiety. So such was the case for the guests; Gerald Chapman's tension was still running high as he strode rapidly across the room. His stoic composure was past its limits.
With a nod of her head, Emma bid James to go after Ivan; keep him from more trouble, much as it's possible. And to spare James whatever Gerald was about to unload on them now.
"What in the hell was that?"
"What do you think, Gerald? He's upset because you let his work ge-"
"No," he cut her off. "This is unacceptable. Do you even realize how many tantrums I've had to put up with from you lot? Do you have any idea the stresses I endure trying to make you and your little friends here into something worth a damn?"
A dour look shaded Emma Martin's face as Mr. Chapman carried on. She had heard enough. She raised a hand, palm outward, bidding a moment of silence. "Not. Now."
Chapman glared harshly. "We will talk after this."
"Negative, do not pursue. … Don't let the real goons get him either. … The artists walk. Period. They've played perfectly for us tonight, it's the least we can do.
-MTF Mu-3 Squad Leader Al Yorston
Emma found herself standing at the bar, staring down a cocktail. She had ordered it and stood and stared for what seemed like forever. A voice brought her back to the moment.
"Your order alright, ma'am?"
"Oh," she looked up. "Yes, thank you." She took a sip and smiled politely at the bartender.
He nodded and smiled back. Glancing down the length of the bar and seeing no waiting orders he turned to her. "So," he gestured broadly toward the party. "What do you think about all this?"
Emma gave the bartender a curious look. "What do you mean?"
"Well, I mean you don't look like a lot of the other ladies here tonight - oh, no offense - what I mean to say is, you look like you're really here for the art. Like you know your stuff."
'Of course I do' Emma thought to herself. 'Does he not recognize who I am?'
"So I'm wondering if you think all this dressing suits the scene, or is it maybe a bit too… like, commercial?"
Emma's eyes widened. She sucked on her straw to mask any larger reaction. 'Too commercial, he said?' She drained her glass and was slurping at ice.
"Get you one more of those?"
"Please."
While he poured and mixed, she thought back on this past year. How much had she really enjoyed it? How many pieces had she made and felt no connection with? How many times had she been talked down to and pushed around by this broker fellow? She thought about what Ivan had said earlier, about cutting the strings loose. 'When do we get back to working for us?'
"Here you are, ma'am."
"Well, what do you think? Is all of this stuff here 'too commercial'?"
"Oh, I dunno ma'am. I mean, I'm sure I've heard that real artists don't do it for the money, or something like that probably." With a shrug he added "But hey, ya gotta live, right?"
A thirsty patron down the bar drew the bartender away from the conversation, but Emma spoke anyway to the back of his shaved head.
"Yes," she resolved. "I have got to live."
"Yeah chief, I'm pretty sure we clinched it. … Follow-up monitoring will confirm. But I don't think this will be going any further. … Small victories, chief. Small victories.
- MTF Mu-3 Field Officer Fitzgerald
…
Per 
