From the show...

The show 'get lost swirly eyes' was a success.

Get lost swirly eyes -- statement

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Too bad it was only able to exist for 4 days. It existed in my head much longer, but with that in mind, I have only been inspired to continue making art.
As my first installation piece, I was unsure of how the viewer might take to the work. I had hopes of success (in the 'fine art' nature), with the viewers left intrigued and stimulated. It is one thing to create art, but if you cannot evoke something from the viewer, sometimes I wonder...why? My goal for this work was to change the mind set of the viewer and take them to another state of consciousness.
Many good reactions to the installation really gave me a great sense of closure. I loved watching people walk inside just to discover astroturf, and then step on it as if it was the first time. I loved how many wondered whether you should pass to the other side of the tapestry- many unsure and left to only pear through the most iridescent square patched in.


The viewers that chose to sit on the design-esque mustard colored pillows, to watch the awkward, yet seemingly pleasurable video.

The comments of "this is sick dude" or the ones trying to pick my brain to discover what is is I was trying to 'say.'

This was a great experience- one I hope to reincarnate with other installations in the future!
Enjoy the photos -- Nichole

INSTALLED.

Finally "get lost swirly eyes" is installed.
Video is done, after much pain in the butt dealing with Standard DVD compressions. Cyanotype is up. Mustard yellow prayer pillows rest on the intricately cut astroturf. Mini fences stand amongst multicolored dangling lights as yarn reaches to a perspective point. You can walk, sit, watch, feel, get lost - while your eyes get swirly!
Pictures to come soon.

and so it continues...

counting down the days till install...
That is on Friday round 2pm. This is when I will put all my efforts into the black gallery.
Currently I have the lights figured out for the most part.
Cyanotype fabric screen done.
Video is done...1/2 way done with audio.
For the most part... I'm kicking it through. Moment of truth is the INSTALL!

light configurations?

here are some samples of light configuration I have been exploring with the extenders.

these are not finalized. I will finalize the structures in the installation as I work with the space and what suits best. just possibilities being explored! may need to invest in more of the extenders. I don't seem to have enough to use all the bulbs. The more bulbs the better! I want the intensity of the colors in the space to make an impact on the viewer. So many more bulbs without a home. They will find one!
starting to look like atomic make-ups. I like!

making it BLACK

because I am in the black gallery, i have chosen to allow certain elements, particularly of circuitry, to blend in with the "natural surroundings" of the gallery.
I have painted the bulb holders black and connected them to their power source.

Black electrical tape has been wrapped around the dual wires to conceal them, and to keep the wires in place.

Don't want those guys poppin out in the installation.

I've realized I enjoy the look of the opaque bulbs more than the iridescent. Just contacted The East Bay Depot of Creative Reuse and they informed me they still have more bulbs! Gonna go get some more! The more the merrier!

Thought ---- light bulbs are placed at the end of a semi-curving PVC tube with the bulb popping out the end. Great way to conceal the wire easily, and provide an almost "optical" aesthetic...these are the lights in your brain! Digging in the brain. My favorite!

FYI

Copper wire conducts way too much power and causes a flaming spark pop. Say no no to copper wire when working with simple circuits!

Progressin!

So my progress has been great.
Now I am working on hooking up all the light bulbs that will beyond the tapestry (still need to get a photo up of this thing, though it is huge and requires a group effort to photograph). The lights of multiple colors will hint colors through the fabric and create intrigue on the other side.

Behold the bounty of bulbs.
(some are opaque while others are iridescent. both have a different appearance when lit.)

20 lights in total.
opaque small :
pink / 2 , red /1 , orange / 2 , turquoise /2 , perrywinkle blue / 1 , green / 1 , baby yellow / 6
opaque balls :
red / 1
iridescent small :
green / 2 , blue / 1
iridescent large :
orange ball / 1 , yellow spotlight / 1 , red spotlight / 1

^ the difference between opaque and iridescent.

These light are strong. It's amazing, if you look at one color then close your eyes you see the opposite hue. The good ole color staring trick.

There has been quite a process of troubleshooting how to hook these up. At first I automatically thought "clip lights" but realized I could do something else. Here is the equipment I have found that seem to work.

light sockets with output wires to connect to the power chord source

amazing what you can do with all these light bulb extenders (new project inspiring!) my housemates think I'm a mad scientist.

light bulb sockets to be modified. scavenged from UrbanOre in Berkeley.

this too. sprocket goes to power source. small insert head for wires. i had to test this out first a behold it worked, and so I went to hoard as many as I could get!

this is how you get the bulb to work. so simple, so amazing!

Thank goodness for Steve Durie's Art 106 class, or I would be completely in the dark with all this wiring stuff! Now I'm in the multi-colored lights! Cheers!

Hmmmmm....something gets me thinkin about motion sensors right now...hmmmm