The “Bad Art Obliteration Tool” is from the “Obliterate Bad Art Project” (1998), a project of the artists’ Zero .1 Percent for Art Commission. The Commission’s stated mission is to bridge the gap between ordinary people and art.

The “Bad Art Obliteration Tool” was a street giveaway of 300 hand-crafted blinders which could be used to block the view of bad art. It was a part of the Philadelphia Fringe Festival. An artists’ book was subsequently produced: "Bad Art Obliteration Tool Report) (1999)

The blinders were given away on the street and intended, the artists say, “to empower ordinary people to indicate what art they like and don’t like – if you don’t like the art, use the tool as a kind of blinder.”

The project was a part of the Philadelphia Fringe Festival. An artists’ book was later produced: “Bad Art Obliteration Tool Report” (1999).

This is one of four separate, related pieces given away on the streets of Philadelphia at different times. All of the objects were included in a solo show (April 27, 2008) at the Philadelphia Institute for Advanced Studies (PiFAS). It was a one day show/giveaway in a mini-tabletop gallery called GUS. The show was called the “Zero .1% For Art Commission Reading Room and Fire Sale.”

The text on the envelope reads:

Bad Art Obliteration Tool

Reusable
Multipurpose
Factory Tested

DIRECTIONS: Remove from envelope. Close eye. Put tool into space between your face and offending object. Move tool away from face until pleasing result is obtained.