Hard Like Algebra

Foot (2009)

Ask five friends to measure their feet.

Pick the person who has a foot closest to twelve inches in length.

Take a photo of that person’s foot.

Print the photo to actual size.

Hang it on a wall where you live, with the caption “Standard of Measurement” below it.

Mail Reaction (2009)

Instructions:

1. Choose and listen to one of the unmarked songs below.
2. If you know the song, then choose another.
3. If you do not know the song, then listen to the song in its entirety.
4. During or after listening, make a piece of postcard-sized art based on what you are hearing. This can include anything you define as art.
5. Send the postcard/art to: Hard Like Algebra, PO Box 40161, Portland, OR 97240-0161. Be sure to identify if it was track 1, 2, 3, or 4.

Bonus: any participant who choses to do so may include the link to a song in the comments. Upon receipt of that participant’s art, I will participate in the first 4 steps above, and send my art to the participant’s address.

One last thing:  some of the embedded info in the tracks is showing through on two of these.  Please ignore those words–the songs are intended to be heard without band or track name.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

“Springtime” (2009)

The next time that it feels a LOT like springtime outside, bring a friend and a camera to a park that holds many memories for you.

Have your friend take pictures of you jumping in the air, yelling “it’s time!”

Onlookers may ask, “time for what?” 

***

“Mending Wall” (2009)

The next time you purchase or pay for something, strike up a small conversation with the other person involved in the transaction.

Do not rush, and do not force interest.  

Do this in your neighborhood, daily, for seven days.

On a day when you don’t purchase anything, there are probably other strangers you could converse with.

***

“Hover (2009)”

Travel to the nearest significant body of water.

Take off your right shoe and right sock.

Walk to the edge of the water and come as close as possible to touching the water with your foot as you can, but be sure not to get your foot wet.

Pause.

Head home.

“Loss” (2009)

Write a song.

Record it.

Copy it to some sort of recordable media.

Put this address on it:
Hard Like Algebra, PO Box 40161, Portland, OR 97240-0161

Lose the item.