'Into The Surface' In 2009 I was asked by Bellevue Arts Museum curator, Stefano Catalani, to make a site specific installation for the Klorfine Family Gallery, at BAM. A year and half later, the show finally opened the end of October, 2010 and ran through April 3rd, 2011. My first museum exhibition and large-scale project, 'Into The Surface' stands as high-light of my career.
'Into The Surface' is a mural style glass engraving that spans 14' in width and varies from 3' to 4.5' in height, comprised of 105, 12" x 6" glass panels. Installed on an armature, inspired by billboards and made of wood and steel, it stands over 7'.
The engraving illustrates a fractured urban landscape compiled of people and places that I have photographed and interacted with. Using a combination of photographs, I have captured my impressions of what I feel is the presence of the city (Seattle) and people who fill it. Seven figures occupy the scene representing the individual in an overflowing urban environment. Layers of reflected imagery imply both a literal and metaphorical link between person and place. The subjects’ surroundings are reflected on them and them on their surroundings. The complex imagery challenges the viewer to look closer and think deeper into the surface of their initial perceptions.
Video and audio elements accompany the engraving for a multi sensory experience. The video is a mix of photographs that I took of Seattle, reflective of the final imagery I used for the engraving. The audio is mix of field recordings that I made from the areas that I photographed. The engraving, audio and video elements work together to tell the story of one place.
'Into The Surface' is a mural style glass engraving that spans 14' in width and varies from 3' to 4.5' in height, comprised of 105, 12" x 6" glass panels. Installed on an armature, inspired by billboards and made of wood and steel, it stands over 7'.
The engraving illustrates a fractured urban landscape compiled of people and places that I have photographed and interacted with. Using a combination of photographs, I have captured my impressions of what I feel is the presence of the city (Seattle) and people who fill it. Seven figures occupy the scene representing the individual in an overflowing urban environment. Layers of reflected imagery imply both a literal and metaphorical link between person and place. The subjects’ surroundings are reflected on them and them on their surroundings. The complex imagery challenges the viewer to look closer and think deeper into the surface of their initial perceptions.
Video and audio elements accompany the engraving for a multi sensory experience. The video is a mix of photographs that I took of Seattle, reflective of the final imagery I used for the engraving. The audio is mix of field recordings that I made from the areas that I photographed. The engraving, audio and video elements work together to tell the story of one place.
g i v e t h a n k s
Without the help of Scott Morrison and Zak Hinderyckx I wouldn't have been able to put the BAM project together. So I just want to take a minute to thank them.
When thinking about the prospects of adding a video with accompanying audio to the installation, I was fortunate enough to get a visit from video artist, Scott Morrison. Scott is a friend from art school and was kind enough to offer some help with the project. I gave Scott still images and field recordings and he transformed them into a video and ambient soundtrack. Scott lives and works in Sydney, Australia. His videos are awesome, he is super talented. Check him out.
And of course, Zak. Zak is my sweetheart and biggest fan. He supported me during the project by making sure that I was well fed and loved. He also designed and fabricated the armatures that serve as the framework for the glass panels. Usually, my work hangs on a wall much like a painting or photograph. For this installation I wanted the glass to be free-standing and read like a mural or billboard. Inspired by an old easel, Zak designed a simple looking framework for the glass. But don't be fooled, as simple as they look, they are quite complex! It was no easy feat to get over 100 panels to line up and be square with one another, without the help of a wall. When I don't have him nailed down, Zak fabricates bicycles and sells them through his father's bicycle shop in Rochester, Vermont and he also works for Gerard Tsutakawa. He's really good at what he does.
When thinking about the prospects of adding a video with accompanying audio to the installation, I was fortunate enough to get a visit from video artist, Scott Morrison. Scott is a friend from art school and was kind enough to offer some help with the project. I gave Scott still images and field recordings and he transformed them into a video and ambient soundtrack. Scott lives and works in Sydney, Australia. His videos are awesome, he is super talented. Check him out.
And of course, Zak. Zak is my sweetheart and biggest fan. He supported me during the project by making sure that I was well fed and loved. He also designed and fabricated the armatures that serve as the framework for the glass panels. Usually, my work hangs on a wall much like a painting or photograph. For this installation I wanted the glass to be free-standing and read like a mural or billboard. Inspired by an old easel, Zak designed a simple looking framework for the glass. But don't be fooled, as simple as they look, they are quite complex! It was no easy feat to get over 100 panels to line up and be square with one another, without the help of a wall. When I don't have him nailed down, Zak fabricates bicycles and sells them through his father's bicycle shop in Rochester, Vermont and he also works for Gerard Tsutakawa. He's really good at what he does.
s e t u p
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