The movement of a small piece of black wax on the side of an unassuming cardboard box seems to be a fly at first glance, but then calls the assumptions of the viewer into question.
Placeholder, 2021
duvet, rubber, spray foam, water, pump
On and On, 2010
dimensions variable
string, brass tip, motor, wood
A pull-string bounces over and over as if being tugged on and off. The simple pull string references attics, basements, luminescence and progress opening up the ideas around and relationship with this simple utilitarian object.
Knock Knock, 2017
silk plant in basket, thread, motor, rod
My Pleasure, 2012
site specific
wood, motors, cigarette, string, thread, fans, wire, soap, brown paper bag, wax
My Pleasure is a site specific installation at Land of Tomorrow Gallery in Louisville, KY. Within an empty room with an old installed wooden floor, a brown paper bag extending from the wall expands and contracts creating a rhythmic crinkling sound. It mimics hyperventilation, but is also tender and fragile. At the same time, soap bubbles appear and collect around a hole in the floor; a miniature black object swings around in a fickle manner reminiscent of an agitated house fly; and a nearly unnoticeable cigarette rests slightly “lit” and smoking on the floorboards. The combination of small kinetic sculptures create a simultaneously easy rhythmic peacefulness and a silent stifled restlessness. The large amounts of empty space within the installation echo the possible vacancy of the polite response “my pleasure”.
sinkers, over-the-hill birthday candle wax, thread, wire, motors, latex tubing
(site specific)
Making Room was the inaugural exhibition for PAR-Projects in Cincinnati, OH. The location informs the content and form of pieces. Thirteen large mechanized mobiles mimic the motion of bugs swarming. The motion of each small piece is connected to those around them creating an agitating, but a beautiful visual manifestation of interdependence. While activating the space, it references the highly coordinated manner in which a colony can move. Group coordination can be quite simple yet extremely effective toward solving complex problems (like an ant finding the shortest distance to food and others following that trail). At the same time, the presence of bugs can indicate deterioration and change. The “flies” are coated in black wax from birthday candles which celebrates as well as references the passing of time. Walking through the installation is slow and careful. Perception is heightened as the web like “swarms” seem to materialize and disappear. The presence of the viewer both activates and threatens the pieces. As the new space for Par Projects opened up, its past use as a lumber yard and the vacancy afterward transitions to new possibilities as the community works together to engage with art and makes space for learning.
Threshold, 2010
dimensions variable
wood, brass knob, motor
A doorknob rotates occasionally pushing away from the wooden surface. The planks are simply leaning against the wall in a haphazard manner making the subtle, constant motion of the doorknob quite uncanny.
Over Do It, 2017
towel, motor, rod, tubing
Threshold II, 2015
rug, motor, apparatus
Everything’s different when it’s over, 2013
dimensions variable
floor lamp, wood, thread, black wax, wire, sinkers, motor
A mechanized mobile creates an erratic circuit for a small piece of hanging black wax resembling that of a pesky housefly. The fly “buzzes” above a floor lamp that is leaning against the wall (neither fallen nor standing). The piece references quiet domestic entropy as the slumped over lamp is being hunted by the vulture-like light-loving fly above.
(It may help to make the video full screen and increase the quality as this is a subtle video)
