Final video

My proposal is to make a stop motion video of my sculptures escaping the men's bathroom.
However, the final video is still in progress due to a problem with my images not fitting into the program and because I did not know how to photograph them properly. I plan to continue working on this over the holiday. Here are a few shots to show the content.

MAX MSP Proposal

The Chin Monologues

Proposal:

The Chin Monologues is an interactive installation using the MAX MSP program. This installation is a proposal for a gallery exhibition. This participatory work invites the audience to experience laughter as a mood lifter and a chance to play with the experience of trying on an altered identity that makes others laugh. There will be a short statements printed out for viewers to read about the science supporting laughter and smiling as a way to alter mood, lower blood pressure and create relaxation in the body.

The gallery would be filled with living room furniture and a large 55 inch TV screen as the focal point of the room. As viewers enter the installation they will see a looped video of a “chin person” performance or they will experience a real time video that is being created in a bed like box (the filming station) that is behind the furniture. Participants are invited to lie in the box with props that are provided at the prop station and create a performance using their chins a character.

Here are examples of a Chin Performance:

French Chin Man

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZRwol_qFW4

Chin Monkey

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPGKYKC-Plo

Sketch of Space: See sketch below

Directive signage:

Instructions of how to set up your body will be placed on the filming station, on the wall and at the prop station.

Equipment:

Two Speakers, 55”monitor, video camera, controls to activate filming.

Computer Program:

Using MAX MSP this installation will create a loop of previous videos of chin monologues. When a participant gets into the filming box, the program will be switched to real time filming once the participant pushes the start button. This button will be placed on a mirror inside the box. Once the participant gets out of the box their video will be added to the top of the sequence of video loops on the large screen. The program will also rotate the image so it will be seen upside down by the viewers, creating the illusion that the chin is the top of the performers head.

Sound:

Recording will be done along with filming. Speakers will be placed on either side of large screen for the viewers in the living room setting.

Filming Station:

This is where the participants can film their own chin persona. It will be labeled with signage that indicates how the person is to lie down, fitting there head in the plastic filming cradle. Once they are lying down they will see a mirror that has an outline that they need to line their chin up with. The video camera will be placed behind the mirror. Filming will take place through a small hole in the mirror that will have a sliding door. Participants will need to press the start button to open the door and begin filming.

Prop Station:

Includes a mirror and disposable google eyes to be attached to the chin. For the brave: a pen will be available for drawing eyes on the chin. Handmade props made by the artist will be available, these include small clamp on wigs that fit over the chin, clamp on ears that fit over chin, and various outfits that will mask the nose and mouth area. Participants can get as creative as they desire with dressing their chin performer or just use nothing more than their chin.

Furniture:

Cozy thrift store couches, chairs, coffee tables and a rugs will be used as a welcoming place to view the performances and relax. The space will emulate an average middle class living room from the 1980’s.

Three Outside Events

During the semester I attended two exhibitions that were not part of the usual field trips with my 704 critique class. The third event I am posting about was a performance that I was part of at the beginning of the semester.

EVENT #1
This performance was a bit of a stretch for me. My friend Austin Willacy invited me to be the third artist in the set. It was great to start exploring the performance side of myself which later came out in my first two videos for the class. I presented my interactive houses and discussed ideas around what "home" means and what grounds us as we make a nest for ourselves. The houses are made out of old maps, interior lights, book pages and sticks. The audience is invited to participate by writing what "home" means to them on the inside walls of the houses.

Threesome: Artists for Social Change 

at the Subterranean Art House in Berkeley

http://subterraneanarthouse.org/

3 diverse artist/activists share their creativity and commitment to a better world. Graham Hackett is a poet, Laura VanDuren is a visual artist & Austin Willacyis a singer/songwriter.  

There will be 3 shorts sets from each person. 

This is Austin Willacy performing his set of music.

Graham Hackett performing his poetry slam.

I loved how this woman's dress looked with this house. Part of the fun for me is seeing my work grow legs!

EVENT #2

Leah Virsik and I went to see Leonard Drew's exhibition at Anthony Meier Fine Arts Gallery in San Francisco in September. Drew is a New York sculptor who makes elegant wall pieces with wood chips and branches. I was mesmerized by the forms and his attention to detail. 

The gallery is inside of the Meier's first floor mansion. We passed it multiple times trying to find a traditional gallery. 

All the pieces are titled with a number. This one was at least 8ft. wide.

Leah checking out the details.

EVENT #3

Here again Leah was my exhibition partner. This fall we went to see Tara Donovan at the Pace Gallery in Menlo Park,Ca. The monumental scale of Donovan's work is arresting. As you get closer to each piece you find out that they are often made of ordinary materials like straws, buttons, mylar or paper plates.

I think this one was made of glass tubes or straws.

This was the first piece you encounter when entering the gallery.It felt as if it dwarfed us like a giant dragon. The material is Mylar sheets.