rejon.org is Jon Phillips.

Awhile back Jane Metcalfe asked me to contribute some artwork for an upcoming art auction this Sunday in Sonoma County. I created a project from my stack of IDEA2009’s called Virii 2009 Conficker which is an annual certification for the most replicated computer virus for 2009, Conficker. The format is a standard RIAA platinum record with the obvious virus contents encrypted on disc, behind glass, and behind a legal disclaimer for whoever collects the piece. Here is a project summary:

Virii 2009 is an annual acknowledgment of the computer virus which has replicated the most, globally, for an annual year. The first Virii 2009 unique plaque, VIRII 2009 CONFICKER, is presented as a certified record of authenticity, framed for hanging on a wall in a secure location. Future certifications are to be only distributed as an annual unique plaque. It is entrusted to a collector to be stored or shown securely. The attached disc and samples contained on the disc are packed in a secure manner that only the artist, Jon Phillips, or his designated agents may discuss.

This is an invitation to attend the art auction this Sunday in Sonoma. Come out and support! I’ll be taking Outscape’s Jeep there along with Barryista.

From the press release:

On Sunday October 4th, 2009 the world of art and politics will come together for one event. Best-selling author Anne Lammot, Academy award-winning director (Wall-e) Andrew Stanton, Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart, Survival Research Labs founder Mark Pauline, videographer Lynn Hershman and WIRED Magazine founder Jane Metcalfe will discuss what it takes to create a renegade legacy. Each is a renegade artist in their own right and they will be featured guest speakers at Renegade Art & Democracy, an art auction and reception hosted by Lynn Woolsey — the renegade Congresswoman from Petaluma.

Given the recent battles in Washington DC and the Congresswoman’s leadership within the progressive body (now deemed “renegade”), this conversation could not be more timely. As you know, artists are always the most outspoken when it comes to renegade ideas. Thus, this unique group of artists would make a fantastic study for the Chronicle’s readers. In addition to those listed above, the work of 40+ artists including: Christo, William Wiley, Robert Hudson, David Best, Tiffany Shlain & Ken Goldberg, Jock McDonald, Lisa Kristine, Philip Krohn, Dave Eggers, George Lucas and Jon Phillips will be available in the event’s silent and live auctions.

The link to the Facebook event page

Here are the basic event details:

What: “Woolsey for Congress ‘Renegade Art & Democracy’
When: Sunday, October 4 at 4:00 PM
Where: Cornerstone Gardens, Sonoma

I’ll post more about the piece, which I intend to do every year in this format, to provide acknowledgment over the other software (other than free and open source software!) and the anonymous creators who make it. I’ll talk more about that shortly.

Also, a big thanks to Nicky Bourque for helping with the security aspects of this project.