[in]tangible ft. iAm connected

For the 2016 Zoom Conference, I co-curated an exhibition of current and recently graduated MFA/MA artist works from students across the US. We installed the show on the 4th Floor of the Kenilworth Building. Below are some images I shot quickly of the opening. See also the beautiful curatorial statement written by my co-curator. 

For this show, I installed two of my CNC machined socket pieces from the ceiling on opposite sides of the gallery. I mostly wanted to observe how people reacted to the pieces. Some people actually tried the earplugs on and hoped for sound, and ultimately were disappointed or intrigued and looked up to towards the ceiling. Some people didn't even notice the pieces, or that there were two of them. Some people were startled by their presence. And, some people asked, "so what's this all about?" 

I am so happy with all of these responses.   

I am continually thinking about connections through the iAm series; technologically mediated connection, interpersonal connection, physical connection and touch, spiritual/divine connection, and connection to the universe, space, and time. Some people are so disconnected from some of these relationships that they are perplexed when they have an encounter. Some people are critical of their connected relationships have huge expectations, and are left ultimately disappointed. Some people don't even notice their connections and some notice their connections in hindsight. 

iAm, like a spider suspended, waiting for something to land on or intercept, and remind that we are the creator of our universe and web of connection. 

iAm packaging

Through this series of renderings, I am starting to consider the iAm project as a mindful, seemingly technological, product for mass consumption. These are my initial sketches for an internal packing method. I imagine expanding on this to include an insert about how to assemble the object, how to use the object, etc. All of this encased in a larger die formed or vacuum-formed container branded for sale.


















iAm - sockets

A couple weeks ago I started experimenting with plasti-flex, the material I am casting the iAm sockets out of. This part is currently functioning as an interface with the wall, a transitioning material. The initial mold was created out of a 3D printed prototype and some left over Oomoo rubber. I wanted to test out the plasti-flex so when I heard someone in the studio had some extra rubber, I just quickly grabbed the test print and a Tupperware to make a test mold. The makeshift mold allowed me to quickly test the colors and flexibility of the material. The fit turned out really nice. 
I've since re-designed and machined a new socket piece for the final mold and have poured some ReoFlex30 over it. I should have some really nice sockets once this mold is ready to be used. TBC

















Basilica de la Sagrada Familia - Antoni Gaudi

I visited the Basilica de la Sagrada Familia in Barcelona over winter break. I knew that I was going to be in awe of the architecture, but I hadn't considered the possibility of finding something so familiar. As I came upon the structure I started having the nerdiest thoughts, "I wonder if they did that with a CNC? I bet they did that with a CNC! I could do that. I can't believe this entire thing is being built with a CNC!" The entire thing hasn't been built with a CNC because they started construction in the late 1800's but, a lot of today's fabrication is... It's pretty amazing to walk around the outside and inside of the basilica and to be able to notice process in the aesthetics.








 I absolutely loved how the lights on the capitals reminded me of cabochon jewels, but also fruit hanging from the palm trees.

The light through the windows was absolutely stunning, these images don't do it nearly enough justice. 













Every single detail has been considered. 





These giant metal doors made me drool.














 THIS WAS THE ICING ON THE CAKE: 
 Below the Basilica was a whole museum dedicated to the process that housed many original architectural models, drawings and current models and drawings. 






 When we walked by this room Tom goes, "Look, their own DCRL!" Be still my heart.

 I'd love to see the crew in action. 



We rode the elevator up to the top of one of the towers and walked down the spiral staircase. It was actually terrifying because it was so windy, but the structure didn't move at all... so that was reassuring. The tops of the towers have mosaic "finial" type structures of fruit and vegetables. They catch the light just right. 







IMA Final Project - Part 2


I am manipulating a few images of water that I recorded out at Atwater Beach last week for my final project in Interactive and Multimedia Art. I've been doing some writing about the work, so I'll just post that here too (below)... I'm not sold on the video presentation yet - so I'm not posting any video documentation until that's better under my control. To see the work live, check out Arts Tech Night at Kenilworth Square East on Wednesday, December 16 from 6PM - 9PM. 


Bound by Periphery is an interactive art object that explores aspects of peripheral awareness through human presence and touch. Upon approaching the object, the viewer’s presence and proximity are sensed; this reveals a moving image on a screen resting face up on the gallery floor. By crouching down and physically exploring the frame of the video, the imagery begins to change; the water imagery becomes clear, colors increase in saturation and the sound of waves and wind becomes evident. Through presence and an acute awareness of the boundaries of the object, the viewers experience becomes more dynamic and descriptive. In this way, Bound by Periphery explores various states of being contained and containing physically through objects as a metaphor for the mind. A container holds a screen, holding a sequence of video frames, playing over time. While screens can contain an endless amount of data, this object is restrained to the frame of the video. The video frame only allows us to experience what is in view, limiting our field of vision, but upon exploration of the periphery, the focus becomes clearer and transforms. By placing emphasis on the physical presence of the body on the edge of the object, the viewer is offered an incentive to explore, to relieve themselves of tunnel vision, to soften focus and play.

iAm Light milling

This weekend I machined a version of the iAm light out of polypropylene. I ran into a few issues with the break-chip drill operation, but luckily nothing detrimental. This series of operations only takes about an hour and a half, a significantly less amount of time than the aluminum versions of this shape (5 hours per piece, yikes!). I'm going to test out sandblasting on the back of the light to see if that diffuses the light a little more. I've got a 12 neopixel ring, trinket, and battery that all goes inside, so I'd like to be able to frost the dome a little more, so that the electronics don't distract. I've been thinking about the color of light I'd like the object to emit, and I think I've decided on hues of orange to go with the plugs. I'm really having a lot of fun with this project, all of the materials and all of the components are making it challenging to finish quickly, but I think taking my time with some of the decisions will pay off in the end product. 






S100 - Prusa i3 - Custom Aluminium Frame - Part 2

Engraving more logo-love: I CNC machined it. 
 I ended up engraving one side with a larger logo pattern and the other with a smaller variation. Despite the minor alignment issues, I'm pretty happy with the results! The pattern isn't exactly what I had originally wanted (due to careless vinyl application during the etching step) but I'm really happy with the results. MAN - that would have taken a long time to do by hand! I love technology (today). 


 #TOTD (tools of the day)



... And a quick look at it partially assembled. 


I <3 CNC machines  <--- T-Shirts coming soon ;)