Back in June, b-uncut reported on the early stages of the Crowdsourced art scheme- ‘The Johnny Cash Project.’- and as it’s now up and running, we thought we’d bring the story over to our loyal blur Group audience!

The purpose of The Johnny Cash Project is to produce a music video for the song ‘Ain’t No Grave’- Cash’s final ever studio recording-  using only the combined images and artwork produced by the legendary music star’s fans.

The project aims to encourage as many people as possible to discover Cash’s work and constantly redefine and change the nature of the music video. When viewing the music video, a different combination of frames are selected for the user to watch. There are different compilations that can be selected, ranging from the ‘highest rated’, ‘director’s curated’, ‘abstract’, ‘sketchy’ or ‘most realistic’ frames. It’s a ‘Living Portrait’ of the Man in Black.

Using simple brush and drawing tools, fans are able to superimpose images onto basic templates (they select one frame from a choice of three that they wish to work on) and customise them to produce unique artwork which can be transferred into the flash-based sequence. By engaging a large number of participants, the video offers the chance to constantly change every aspect of the tale. The project is a unique, collective Crowdsourced experience.

According to the Guardian, the video’s director, Chris Milk, has received more than 250,000 submissions to date. Milk was also responsible for the HTML5/Google Map video ‘We Used to Wait’ for Indie/folk giants, Arcade Fire.

Milk said: “The Johnny Cash Project is a visual testament to how the Man in Black lives on … in the hearts and minds of all of us around the world he has touched with his talent, his passion, and his indomitable spirit.”

The end result (well, which ever one you happen to be watching anyway), is a fantastic tribute to the life of one of Country music’s greatest ever stars.