:: How a Corpse is Born ::
:: Materials Required ::
- A computer
- An email account
- Image editing software (Photoshop, Corel Whatever, etc.) capable of creating a JPEG
- Creativity
- Imagination
- Connection to the Collective Unconscious
:: The General Idea ::
An Exquisite Corpse is constructed by exactly four (4) players. Each player fills an equal portion of the Corpse canvas. Players are cued only by a small slice of the previous player’s work. The goal is to create a unified work of art encompassing the sensibilities and styles of four distinct individuals. Unconscious echoes of imagery, tone and subtext will occur of their own volition.
:: The Specific Process ::
Step 1 :: Register as a Player : Use this form to add yourself to the roll of mighty Corpsers. But don't do so before you finish reading this page and you know what's going on.
Step 2 :: Await your Corpse : Corpses are generated and distributed randomly among the player pool by the Corpse Management System™. Once you are registered you will be eligible for participation in a corpse, but it is up to the CMS™ as to when you will be called to duty.
fig. 1 The first section of a Corpse. (50% scale)
Step 3 :: The Corpse is Commenced : A Corpse is generated by the CMS™ and the player who is to begin the Corpse is chosen. This player (hereafter known as "Player 1") is notified by email that he or she is now to begin construction of the Corpse. Thus, Player 1 will construct an image 450 pixels wide and 200 pixels across which will be the first section of the Corpse (fig. 1). Important Note 1: It is crucial to the process that the beginning section not be a complete image in itself. Leave trailers and dangly bits at the bottom which will cue the next player's contribution. Important Note 2: There are no limitations as to how you create your Corpse section. Scan a drawing. Use photography, clip art, whatever. So long as it ends up as a 450px X 200px JPEG, no imagery is proscribed or prescribed.
Step 4 :: The Section is Submitted : Included in the email announcing the beginning of the Corpse, Player 1 received a super-secret good-for-one-use-only URL which is what he or she will use to submit his or her final work. Upon visiting this URL, the player will find instructions as to how to upload the completed Corpse section, as well as as a form for titling the work. This submission being satisfactorily executed, the CMS™ once again swings into action.
fig. 2 Player 2 recieves a strip from Player 1's section.
Step 5 :: The Corpse is Passed Along : The CMS™, once satisfied that the submission it has received is of the correct dimensions and format, proceeds to slice off the bottom 15 pixels of the section (see fig. 2) and send it to the next randomly selected player, whom we will call "Player 2". Upon receipt of this 200px X 15px strip, will use whatever information can be gained from it, in concert with his or her own imagination and inspiration.
fig. 3 Player 2 creates a second section based on the strip he or she received.
Step 6 :: The Corpse is Continued : Player 2, promted by the strip he or she has received, now has to fill another 450px X 200px section (see fig. 3). Player 2 may either construct this section so it abuts with the strip received, or the strip can be incorporated and modified in his or her section. Player 2 should bear in mind, however, that the strip should not be modified to the point that it no longer connects with the section it came from. Regardless of the method employed, Player 2's section will still be 200 pixels high. Any other size will not be accepted by the CMS™. Important Note: For the sake of the Corpse's unity and flow it is important that Player 2 work from the strip received and not make their contribution a complete non-sequitur. (Look at this corpse and see if you can tell who might not have been really trying.) Not to limit anyone's creativity or anything, but operating, at least somewhat, within the limits of the strip you're given is part of the fun of the game.
Step 7 :: And So Forth : Steps 4 through 6 are repeated for Players 3 and 4 until all four sections are completed. When the last section comes in the pieces will be assembled into the final, complete Corpse and put in the queue for posting. In due time, the Corpse will be posted for all to see (here's how the example turned out) at which point there will be discussion and rejoicing. Good job, team.
:: Time Limits ::
Before the advent of the CMS™, enforcement of time limits was poorly implemented, often allowing players to take excruciating weeks to complete their sections and delaying everyone's joy. This will no longer be the case. The CMS™ is mechanistically brutal, digitally heartless and refuses to coddle slackers. If you have not submitted a section within a week of receiving your assignment email you will be issued one (1) warning. You will have a further 72 hours to amend your idle ways. If in that time you again fail to submit a section, it will be passed along to a hopefully more deserving soul. Furthermore, your account will be rendered inactive and you will be ineligible to receive further assignments until you return to the site, log in, and reactivate your profile in the 'edit my profile' window.