observatory II


In Observatory, a photograph I made in 1996,
an antique bed sits over a large hole in the floor of an
odd structure--an old observatory, actually.

This piece has gotten various strong, albeit very different,
responses from viewers--some thought it suggested the AIDS crisis,
an escape from a concentration camp, even the pain of childbirth.

I'm pleased to get a variety of reads from a piece, but my actual
motivation was simply to illustrate something about
an unfulfilled desire, an unrequited love.



observatory, 1996
With Observatory II, I return to the antique bed,
but this time suspend it from the ceiling and use it
as a screen upon which to project video.

I wanted to make a more positive piece this time,
something to suggest the ever-changing
nature of the human condition.

The normal pace of the visuals (nothing but sky and clouds)
has been increased, while the sound has been decreased,
suggesting just how slippery the perception of nature,
or of one's desires, can be.



observatory II, 2004



This video installation, along with some photographic works,
was shown as part of Absence, a four-person exhibition,
at FLATFILEphotography, Chicago, Illinois,
from July 9th to August 21th, 2004.

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