8/24/14

Swinging Arms

2008



Computer Power Supply, Galvanized Steel Rod, Low RPM Motor, Neon Lamps, Projector, Camera, (infinite loop, interactive)

Neon lamps swing at the end of long galvanized arms, creating interesting possibilities for long-exposure photography... when a projector and camera are added, both aimed at the same portion of wall occupied by the piece, an infinite loop with a slight delay is created. Observers enter the space between, and therefore become part of the loop, their presence echoed into infinity...




8/22/14

Breathing Machine


2007


2x4's, Metal Rod, Scrap Metal Weight, Scrap Metal Rods, Clamp, Inner Tube, Air Hoses, Inflating Nozzle, Wire, ZipTies, Compressor (off-site)

     Based on a rough studio-exploration, this sytem-in-cycle would "breath," filling with air via the fill-nozzle, until the inner-tube lifted it off of the fill switch; at which point it would lift off the switch and stop filling with air. The pressure in the inner-tube would bleed off, lowering the weight, actuating the fill-nozzle, and staring the system all over again. Its cycle sounded very much like a breathing machine; yet instead of a machine breathing for someone, this one breathed all by itself, for itself...






Ludicrous Machine

2007


Latex Surgical Tubing, Forceps, Monofilament, Pins, Nails, Styrofoam, Sewing Pins
     In this unlikely arrangement, surgical tubing filled with compressed air is suspended from pins and monofilament, filling the gallery with an illuminated "breathing" creature... its time slowly ticking away as the air pressure trickles out through a pin-hole, driving several small foam pin-wheels on the wall; attached by sewing pins.
     As the air pressure trickled out, once expanded portions of tubing would contract in violent and sudden throes, and do so completely randomly. This pictured campus gallery (Cranbrook Academy of Art's Forum Gallery) was open 24hr; the piece ran for nearly 3 full days.
     (Sound in the video is from another piece of mine, on display in the same gallery... "Breathing machine")




8/20/14

Undergrad Kinetic Artworks

A few of my foundational kinetic works from undergrad at Marshall University...



Eastward In Eden God Planted a Garden
2005
Mixed Media: Electronics/Iron Filings/Dvd

The Living Creature
2005
Cast Paper, Plaster, Wire, Low RPM Motor

Rivers of Eden
2005
Salvaged Science Lab Equipment (wooden beaker holders, Plexiglas, Wire, Xerox Transfer Prints (contour maps, topographic), Motorcycle Sprocket/Chain, Low RPM Motor

Driving Machine (Pictured Above)
2005
Mixed Media: Salvaged Equipment, Auto Seats, Cameras, Televisions, Rearview Mirror

8/16/14

Elements

2008

Glass Ampules, Rubber Sheeting, Nails

Contents: Magnetic Audio Tape (with recording), Air, Lead, Ball-chain, Rubber



Rivers of Eden

2006


Salvaged Science Lab Equipment (Wooden Test-Tube Holders, Roller-Wheels), Furring Strips, Brackets, Drywall Screws, Plexiglas, Xerox Transfer Prints (Contour Maps; Topographic), LowRPM Motor, Motorcycle Sprocket/Chain, Epoxy

Kinetic (See my Undergrad Kinetic Artwork for VIDEO of This Piece In Action!)











Eden's Gate

 2006

Plaster (cast in a wedge-shape, in plastic bags), Cast Lead, Glue

Gate

2006

Circuit Boards from Fire/Smoke Detector System, Copper Wire, Structurally Soldered

When Turtles Flew

2007

Deer Skull, American Snapping-Turtle Bones, Nails, Galvanized/Copper Wire, Springs, Sawblades, Low RPM Motor


     There is an Arabian proverb that says "Grinding one's teeth does not fill one's belly..." The sound this piece produced was that of grinding teeth, and smacked of the same futility as the failed aspiration behind the assemblage. Breathing life into things long dead does not make them live again, at least not as they did.




























Chord

2007

Pencils, Pins, Rabbit Fur, Stainless Steel Dishes, Silver Solder

     An exploration in material juxtaposition, and manipulation; Pencils turned in a proprietary studio-made "lathe" are pinned as though specimens, atop a field of rabbit fur. The entire vignette is enclosed in two plates soldered shut; a hole ground in the bottom of one to create a viewing window...

Through a Glass Darkly

2007

Concave Mirror, Found Silvertint Photograph, Antennae

     What do we leave behind if not some vague reflection of ourselves in the memories of others? As a viewer moves to look at the piece, they see their surroundings, even themselves reflected, but never their own face. Regardless of angle, an observers face is obscured by the image of another, a photograph of a woman long gone, and familiar, but unknown...