120: Big Tetris!

A couple years ago, I decided that I was going to fill an alleyway with large Tetris pieces, someday. I didn’t know how, and I didn’t know when, but I knew I was going to make it happen.

After a bit of planning, and a lot of help, it happened yesterday.

Huge ‘thank you’s to everyone who helped. Here’s how we did it:

I knew that I wouldn’t have the budget, space, or resources to pull this off alone. So I decided to recruit some more people who are passionate about stupid street art. Luckily, the internet makes it pretty easy to address a lot of people at once. Many of you saw the call for artists that I posted about 3 weeks back, and I had a lot of responses.

To all the local responders (Sorry you non-local guys. My next collaboration will include you.), I sent out the measurements and the colors we’d use for each shape. Apart from that, they were on their own.

Materials, design, build, and transport was left up to each individual. Some made one piece, some made more.

I made an “L” and a “J”, which are my favorites.

They’re also technically the same shape. And because I’m dumb, I decided to make mine out of wood. Why is that dumb? We’ll get to that in a bit.

2 cans of spray paint each. My neighbors were wondering what they were. Clearly, they’re not golfers.

I had told everyone that the pieces should be lightweight enough to carry it down town, but I don’t often pay attention to my own advice. I was determined to overbuild mine, and both of them together ended up weighing at least 100 lbs.

Now, I’m a big guy, and that’s not ridiculously heavy or anything, but the size combined with the weight made it almost impossible to carry. And they wouldn’t fit in my little car, either.

All those years as a nerd in school, carrying all my books in one backpack, finally pay off. This is a piece of cake.

None of you scouts tell me how I tied this wrong, OK?

Here are some pictures of other people’s pieces:

And some videos:

 

Yay!

Three of us walked down together, and we got some strange looks, some knowing nods, and a few cheers.

We also passed this little park with blocks that perfectly fit our pieces.

And then we all came together.

The original idea was to flash-mob, drop, and leave, but there were some transportation issues. So, the whole thing gradually came together over one and a half hours, while multiple car trips were made.

Still, it’s pretty nice.

We stuck around for a little bit and watched new people discover it.

Thanks to everyone who helped or tried to help. You guys are the best. I can’t thank you enough for making this a success.
Because of you, the world just became a little bit more magical.

Oh, and here’s the rest of the pictures: