I Like Sex And Candy

8' X 8' X 8'

Black Lights, Neon Paper, 1700 Push Pins, Foam Core, Duct Tape,

Sound Pieces, Black Cloth, Black Printer Ink

When we first thought about this installation we knew we wanted to use black lights to change people’s perception of space. We experimented with many things that reacted to black lights and finally settled on the neon paper with words printed on it.

We also wanted to create an environment that alluded to the awkward time in life that are the years between childhood and adulthood. We wanted to use two texts, one which is considered a children’s book and one that is considered an adult themed work to draw attention to this. We ended up choosing “And Tango Makes Three” by Justin Richardson and an excerpt from the “Kama Sutra.” One of us relates to each text.

Another thing that we wanted to know was how people will interact with the words. Will they make their own sentences or will they decided it is best not to touch the words? Will they spend an hour trying to find the right word and which story’s words will be used the most?

Listen

My installation is all about creating an experience for the viewer. Upon entering, the viewer is immersed in sound while their sense of sight and space is hindered. Everyone may have a different experience depending on your personal feelings, fears, and thoughts. Are you afraid of the dark? Will you become uncomfortable in an unfamiliar space? Do you hate to be alone? These questions directly relate to this installation…So I invite you to enter the space one at a time and sit/stand/stay as long as you need to fully experience the installation. You may shut the door behind you as far as possible, though it wont completely close, and please remember to flip the card so other viewers are aware when the space is in use.

A Self Portrait In Creation of Destruction

"A Self Portrait in Creation of Destruction" focuses on the exploration of the studio space in relation to the college studio setting and how, as students we struggle against time. Furthermore it explores the aspect that normally, we endure through this struggle creating objects we rarely can keep but have put ourselves entirely into.

To explore this concept I gave myself two days, one in which to create an object, and the second to destroy it. Because this piece is geared towards the self I decided the object to be created would be a self portrait from clay. I chose to work with 150 lbs of clay and on the first day, through the practice of creating several small portraits I would then create a larger one. On the second day, in order to create a parallel to the time it took to make it, I destroyed it in the same time frame. My days started at 12:30pm and ended at 8:30pm.

I chose to embellish my "studio" with several clocks and mirrors. As I worked I had alarm clocks going off through out the day, sounding closer and closer as my deadline neared. I used the space as I would a studio, drawing on the walls to help aid my thought process.

Day 1:

Day 2:

Where We Stand

Dimensions: 6' x 3' x 2'
Found Objects, Black Paint.

The Stepford Wife

81" x 22" x 22"

Steel Round Stock, Latex, Embroidery Thread

"Valley of the Insane"

 

 The site of Kanakadea park is in fact located in what is Kanakadea valley, this valley encompasses much of Allegheny County.  "Kanakadea"? With a little research into the history of the word came a plethora of information.  This word is a term use by the Seneca, meaning "Valley of the Insane", the Seneca would travel out of their way to avoid passing through these lands, some historians believe it was sacred burial grounds.   During British control over the colonies there was a treaty, this treaty was with the Seneca natives, and in this treaty the natives were allowed to keep Kanakadea Valley.  However, when our independence was won from Britain all treaties went out the window and the Seneca were pushed further and further off of these lands.  This site specific sculpture is a large scale reproduction of the Native American medicine wheel, this symbol was a way of life for the members of the Iroquois Nation, the Seneca included.  The intent is to erect a bit of history that has been forgotten.  The location being on an island is symbolic. This sculpture will stand alone, it no longer has a connection to the main land,  being stumbled onto on occasion, just as I've stumbled onto this corner of history.  This sculpture can be looked at from the distant shore, and an addition view from passing vehicles on Sate Route 21.  

The Manscare

My project is the Manscare (tentative title) I am taking the classic idea of the scarecrow, and changing it to be from the perspective of a crow. The Manscare will sit menacingly in a tree so it can carry out its duty defending nature from people. the structure will be built with a wooden frame, stuffed with straw and dressed in found clothing. It will be roughly 5 feet tall.

Almond Lake Monster

Many bodies of water have their own creatures either genuine or fictional such as the Loch Ness Monster. What is to say Kanakadea park can't have its own monster in Almond Lake? My soft sculpture will portray a head of a sea monster sticking out of the water. There will be a square of 2x4's used to help support the monster resting on the existing stump sticking out of the water. The monster will consist of both fabric and a hay / straw mixture. All of which will be closed so none of it will escape in to the water.

Belly

This sculpture will entail a large cartoonish figure that is 10 t0 12 feet long, 3 to 4 feet wide, and 3 to 4 feet tall. The figure will be laying down in a relaxed position with arms up, elbows out, and hands underneath his head. This figure is an embodiment of human playfulness and wonder. It is meant to be a catalyst for others to be playful, contemplative, and relaxed. It also is an interactive sculpture for children and adults alike to lie on, climb on, touch and experience. The design will be simple robust, round, and with only 2 to 3 colors. The colors will be patterned such that one get a notion of shoes, pants, shirt, buttons, head, and mouth.

Proposal for Site Specific Soft Sculpture

Proposal

My project will be an extension on an already standing structure located in Kanakadea Park. The standing structure is a red fence leading up the side of a hill into the woods. The stress on our sculptures to be soft and child friendly has been a large contributor in the concept of my potential structure. The fence is old and missing a couple railings, there are also small gaps in the fence. Although these pieces of missing fence may go unnoticed by others, my piece will highlight these sections but transform the feelings of insecurities into an obsessed sense of protection. My extension, airbag like structures filling the gaps and missing parts of fence will create a neurotic feeling towards safety. The plush like balloons made of fabric and straw will create a cushiony padding where nothing can fall through, for example small children.

Divortium

When I first visited Kanakadea Park, one of the first places I was drawn to was the peninsula to the right of the boat launch. This is an interesting location because it is intrusive to the body of water. From certain angles it almost divides Almond Lake. I would like to emphasizes this division by completely covering the peninsula with black fabric. I think this will make the natural structure feel even more intrusive to the body of water because it will look more like a black void or a crack than a land mass.

Flood of '35

Proposal

Thinking about the devastating flood that Hornell in 1935 that displaced most of the town’s residence. Soon after the U.S. government commissioned to have a dam near the city of Hornell so that such devastation would not happen again. The Almond Dam is the reason why kanakadea park exists. I think it would be interesting to create of pubic piece of public art having to do with this historical fact. I am planing on creating a smaller then life size house roof and having it float on the surface of the water( being stabilized by some weights on the bottom of the piece.) which would float somewhere in Kanakadea lake. I think this is an interesting to think about what the power of water can do, having it be a destructive material or something that can be controlled by human’s hands, these two factors are the total reason why this park is existing and why this piece exists.

Site Specific

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate factory has always been a childhood favorite. The idea that anything is possible as long as you put your mind to it. I wanted to grasp that concept, the early childhood mind set and incorpate that in my work. To bring that inner child back into everyones minds. Which is why i chose to make giant skittles that are about 3-4ft in diameter.The reason i chose skittles was that every child has tried a skittle. Its not like chocolate or nuts that children tend to have allergies to. These skittles will be spilled all over the park, you have the chance to find all of them. The number of skittles scattered around the park should be between 10-20.

Site Specific Sketch and Artist Statement

My intent of this public art project is to transform a small area of the park by introducing a foreign, incongruous color, and by introducing this color, I wish to engender a change (subtle, or profound) in the audience.

I plan to make about 10-15 spheres on wooden sticks and arrange them in a way that they are surrounding the audience (see pictures.)The color of the fabric (which I may dye or paint, depending what is readily available or easier to use) will be a bright red. The park has a variety of blue and green hues that creates a soothing effect in the body and mind. Red stimulates the mind and creates a faster heart rate in the body. From my color research, I want to introduce an agitating red color that makes the audience feel a subtle change in their body and/or mind when viewing my sculpture. Adding to the blatant red color, the spheres will be of varying height and design. Some will be straight or of organic form.
The height will add to the change in emotion because most of them will be taller than the average person. The spheres will be looking at or down on the person.The wood will be covered in fabric and packed with straw. The straw will most likely be glued on if the straw slips in the fabric.