Interestingideas.com is my project. It began as a photo-copied newsletter in 1989 and reached the world via the Web in 1994, a sobering example of the Internet’s transparency to marginal notions. It was a personal test bed for online publishing as well as an outlet for thoughts on vernacular art, oddball culture, politics and other random topics.
I write, edit, photograph and produce 99 percent of the site. With the exception of limited e-commerce for selling books and related material, the site is non-profit. I removed Google advertising some years ago to reduce my participation in the surveillance economy. Recent pages are published on the WordPress platform. Older parts of the site still reside in the hard-coded html I started with back in ’94.
You can find out more about me and my professional life on Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/williamswislow.
Briefly, I spent much of my career in journalism; migrated to digital publishing and, eventually, the business side of media. I helped found the Cars.com Web site and spent many years leading its product organization and later technology as well.
Now I am mostly focused on arts-related endeavors, including not only this web site but also a long-term project to document and publicize the thousands of rock carvings along Chicago’s lakefront. As of 2023 I serve on the boards of Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art in Chicago and the Society for Commercial Archeology.
Since I own almost all the creative work on the site, feel free to contact me about reuse. I’m also available to speak about the lakefront carvings, outsider art, and roadside art. You can reach me at info@interestingideas.com.
Thanks for visiting,
Bill Swislow
Hello Bill: We are working on another outsider art environment here in Madison that you could add to your list – the former home/studio of Sid Boyum. Sid created concrete sculptures in his back yard, as well as paintings, bas reliefs, drawings and photographs. Many of his sculptures have been placed in locations around his former neighborhood. The Friends of Sid Boyum are raising funds to purchase the house and its contents, with the goal of restoring the art and working with partners to present it to the public. We’d love a mention on your site! http://www.friendsofsidboyum.org
thanks!
this is amazing work!
Do you know where all the limestone is stored. I know its been awhile.
There was once a photo of the wooden Patio Beef sign (at the old Cicero/Foster location) on your website; I cannot find it now. Any chance you could resurrect it? It was rectangular in shape and featured a painted hamburger and an arrow and the words, “Parking in rear”.
Small world. I was just looking at that image. I orphaned the page a while ago, but restored the links for now. You can get there directly at https://www.interestingideas.com/roadside/gyros/patio.htm
Big fan!
Thanks great presentation today
Nancy Kramer
i’d been uninspired and depressed about ‘the world today’ and ‘the way things are’, until i stumbled across your pages-thank you for reminding me that ‘things, people, and the world’ are actually pretty cool; i just have to venture out periodically to encounter the good-uns :)
Why thanks for your kind words. Every once in a while things are OK.
Bill, I’ve loved your site literally for decades. Thank you for all you do in keeping alive the odd and wonderful things that today’s world too often leaves behind. I’m always impressed at your dedication to art and culture. Please keep up the good work.
You must, you gotta provide your fans with a write up Bewitched.