Event Archive Select any image below for a full view. |
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In Your Face (version 3), 2007
Similar in concept to previous versions, this piece added quotes to the surfaces of each mask to support the emotion of the expression. For example, the "happy" mask has a quote that reads, Start each day with a smile and get it over with. – W.C. Fields. The piece is fabricated out of painted aluminum. A base of blue stone and stones add to the game board quality. The piece was exhibited at Art in the Garden at Wilber & King Nurseries, Guilford, Connecticut.
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OOHAA, 2006
This is a variation on a child's kaleidoscope with mirrors and a turntable. Letterforms — O-H-A - are arranged graphically on the turntable. These letters were chosen because on their symmetry and because they spell out exclamations — OH, HA, HO, and HA — which are used to express an emotion. Mirrors divide the turntable into four segments that allows four people to see the piece differently. Participants share rotating the turntable.
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Drift 2, 2006
Six frames were arranged in a row to create a vista. Strips of mirrors were suspended within the frames – each mirror positioned to cut through the frames diagonally. The mirrors swayed in the breeze and activated the reflections of the gardens and people with ever changing patterns. The piece interacted with the landscape as well as the viewer. The piece was installed at Wilbur & King Nurseries, Guilford, Connecticut.
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Spot Check, 2005-06
Four parallel walls with circular holes, created site lines as people looked through the perforated walls. Circles of color visually filled the final holes on either wall. As visitors explored each hole they discovered new vantage points as well as ways to play hide-and-seek games with each other. The piece was installed at ArtSpace in New Haven, Connecticut.
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Eye Contact, 2005
This wall piece is constructed of three overlapping transparent plexiglas pieces affixed to a mirror. Two viewing holes invite people to look within the piece. The concept is based on a Victorian stereoscope where two images become one (thus creating a three-dimensional effect). In this case as the viewer looks into the piece, only one eye (a combination of both eyes) peers back.
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Round Up, 2005
The ceiling of the gallery space was lowered to 6'6"with a translucent fabric that hung just over the heads of people. 14" circles were cut into the fabric and stepladders encouraged visitors to poke their heads through the holes. On the floor, blue theatrical lighting created a feeling of being underwater. The light projected through the holes formed blue dots on the ceiling above. People who poked their heads through the holes inevitably interacted. Images of round-shaped architecture were projected above the fabric.
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Turning the Table, 2005
Visitors discover a traditional-looking table rendered useless with four circular cut-outs and a spinning X-shaped bar. Four "monkey-boards" (used for automotive repairs) invite people to lie down and slip under the table. Underneath visitors find mirrors reflecting them and other participants and colors. The spinning bar can be seen as it passes over the holes creating another optical effect.
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In Your Face, 2004
This piece was temporarily constructed on the New Haven Green in June to examine the ways participants might interact (see Proposed Projects). Four oversized iconic masks, each representing a distinct emotion - sad, angry, happy, and surprise - faced each other as if in conversation. As intended, the masks encouraged people of varying ages to spontaneously interact - climbing, running, hiding and yelling back and forth from mask to mask.
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Slaves to Fashion, 2004
Simple materials can provide an excuse and structure for interaction. At an event designed for First Night International in Binghamton, New York, thirty people participated using recycled materials. Newspaper costumes were created - joining two people together as one. The finale was a "themed" fashion show complete with music and humorous descriptions of each creation.
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Heads Up, 2004
Two trampolines separated by a wall - high enough to obscure the person on the other side. Participants coordinate their jumps to get a glimpse over the wall - bouncing in unison, waving arms, and making sounds.
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Approach / Avoidance, 2003
30 step stools – 15 black and 15 white – are arranged in descending order facing each other. Words on each stool provide a choice for participant selection and interaction. As participants get closer to each other options are reduced until they a faced with ultimate choices –- "Flirt" and "Flatter."
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Bicker Booth, 2003
The "Bicker Booth" is divided into two sections with a small window between. Two participants enter either side of the booth and come face to face. Each side has a Rolodex file with approximately 300 theatrical clichés inspired from soap operas and movies. For example, "We'll never resolve this," "It's time you grow up," to "I don't care anymore," and I've had enough of your crap." A dramatic sound track sets the theatrical tone to bicker.
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In Your Face, 2003
Six iconic expressions are presented as simple masks – from anger to happiness and sadness to surprise. The masks are arranged in a circle facing each other and are mounted on poles at eye level. Participants can select an "emotion" or "expression" in which to communicate with the other masked participants. The masks act as permission for interaction.
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Color Code, 2003
Four participants are confronted with four ladders arranged into facing four corners. Each corner is a different color - yellow, blue, red, and green. Participants select a corner and ascend the ladders. On top they come face to face which each other and discover a small rotating painting. The painting is divided into four segments that correspond to the colors of the corners. Participants choose which color they would like, however rotating the painting affects everyone's choice thus all are forced to negotiate.
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Selected Past Projects: |
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OpSail Connecticut, 2000
New London, Connecticut
Creative Director
Prepared Masterplan, designed and coordinated programming, environmental design. OpSail Connecticut was one the main events of the nationwide millennium celebration created to extend goodwill to all nations.
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Parade Connecticut, 1996 for the rededication of the Old State House
(SEE VIDEO)
Hartford, Connecticut
Creative Director
The parade included all 169 towns in the state, arranged in the order in which they were settled. Each town designed a float that most represented the spirit of their town. A puzzle of the state was assembled as each town passed the reviewing stand and added their "piece" as the State of Connecticut formed before our eyes.
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Art on the Edge, 1996-97
New Haven, Connecticut
Creative Director
Concept design, programming and environmental design. Art on the Edge was a showcase for local artists as part of the International Festival of Arts and Ideas. The Edge Festival was an incubator for new talent to experiment.
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Sights in the Sound, 1995 Special Olympics World Games
Event Commissioner and Artistic Director
Prepared the Masterplan, site design, coordination and programming. Sights in the Sound provided a framework for local participation in this international event. A million people attended the weeklong festival. Tall ships added to he spectacle.
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Summertime Street Festival, 1991-94
Creative Director
Concept design, programming and site design. The weeklong block party encompassed downtown New Haven every evening and showcased local artists in a variety of unusual settings.
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Short Ships, 1992, Connecticut Columbus 500
Conception and coordination of 80 small decorated vessels on the Connecticut River to celebrate each participant's cultural background. The parade started in East Haddam and ended in Old Saybrook.
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New Haven Celebrates New Haven, 1988 (SEE VIDEO)
New Haven's 350th Anniversary
The two-day birthday celebration for 200,000 people on New Haven Green included each neighborhood, arts organization and cultural group - becoming a living microcosm of New Haven. Several weeks later Skyworks inverted the concept turning the city into an event with two identical fireworks displays – 2 miles apart – one atop East Rock Park and the other in New Haven Harbor. Fireworks created by Grucci.
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Thursday is a Work of Art, 1977-79 (SEE VIDEO)
Hartford, Connecticut
Hundreds of integrated art projects – such as music in alleys, rooftop performances, skywriters, theater in fountains – were hidden in every corner of downtown Hartford every Thursday throughout the summer.
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Metamorphomaze 1979
Capital Children's Museum,
Washington, D.C.
Metamorphomaze is a series of mazes with mirrors, tilted room, and small crawl areas designed to challenge spatial perception.
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Foiled Again! 1974 (SEE VIDEO)
Art Institute of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois
Part of a series of six weekend events staged to assist young people in appreciating the creative process and see the museum collection with new eyes.
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Foam Sweet Foam 1970
Block Party 1970
Wadsworth Atheneum
Hartford, Connecticut
One of a series of interactive programs designed to stimulate creative thinking for young people presented in the galleries of the museum.
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Acknowledgements
A very special thank you to all my many collaborators over the years – especially Jamie Burnett, Maureen Connolly, Maryann Ott, Bitsie Clark, Ann Kieffer, Tim Keating and Jack Dollard. There are many more artists and volunteers who deserve credit for their creative input and dedicated work on all these public events.
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