Peepshow
I haven't been on much lately because I'm busting my ass to get a sculpture done. I am working on a project that was just accepted to Scrapel Hill III Exhibition in Chapel Hill, NC. Basically, a large indoor mall has a yearly exhibition of sculptures made from discarded/reused items. It is right up my alley. The install is on April 11. 15 artists were accepted.
Below is the pertinent excerpt from my proposal:
Scrapel Hill comes at a particularly great time because I am nearing execution on several works in a new series called “Remixed Media.” This series will be an elegant fusion of creative reuse, geeky technology, beautiful lightforms, and rich underlying symbolism. I could wax poetic about this project but I have my sketchbook right here, so let it do the talking:
“This series began in early 2009 when I saw how much outdated computer media was being thrown away or lying in piles on people's desks. It is sometimes difficult to make art from something as ubiquitous and banal as computer media. Take CD's, for example. Almost every project that came to
mind seemed trite, or akin to a weekend lava lamp project. So I resolved to make beautiful or arresting works first, with the found materials as support rather than the focus.”
The proposal that was accepted was:
Remixed Media #1: Peepshow
Hard disk platters are 99.95% reflective: almost perfect mirrors. They are made of aluminum and coated with platinum foil. They are perfectly round with a 1” hole in the center. Circles can be formed into equilateral triangles, and an icosahedron can be formed from 20 equilateral triangles:
If lit from within, this 50” polygon would form an infinite reflective surface. The gently rounded holes in the hard disc platters make perfect eyeholes, so the eyes of the viewer are reflected infinitely as well.
This sculpture design is interactive and beautiful. If properly mounted in a public space, people will be drawn to it. They may catch each other's eyes from across (and within) the sculpture: the perfect meet cute scenario. Parent and child could peek in at the same time and see wonder reflected in each other's eyes. Not only is this design aesthetically appealing, but the reuse of discarded hard drive media and the recursive/infinite nature of the sculpture has rich symbolic meaning (permanence of metals in landfills, longevity of information, who is “peeking” at your data.) If exposed to sunlight, it will cast an ever-changing pattern of mottled light across the space.
I have gathered hundreds of hard disks for this project and removed the platters, which believe you me was not easy. I plan to use all of the hard disc parts in other sculptures.
Tags: found, objects, sculpture
Views: 89
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Rob Lineberger on -
okay, now that we've gotten the proposal out of the way, here's how it's going down.... BLEH! Just kidding but this has been a challenge. did you know some hard drive platters are made out of tempered glass which, when flexed, shatter into a thousand shards which screech across the room and impale themselves in your neck? Did you know that epoxy does not adhere to a 99.95% smooth surface? did you know that perfect triangles are not perfect if you move the platters out of line even 1/64th of an inch? I know all that now.
Below is the third jig I have made to attempt this project, and I must say third time's a charm:
working view:
closeup:
I used zip disc hubs and hexagonal perforated metal from a server door. I'm using a dremel to rough up the surface before the epoxy goes on. how will I assemble this all together? NO IDEA! heck, I have plenty of time. Only 150 more platters to mark, scuff, epoxy, weight down, dry overnight. two hours of work per side plus 12 hours drying time. 15 sides to go. Approx three weeks til deadline...
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Permalink Reply by Sandra Henderson on -
Oh my gosh Rob! What a brilliant idea. IF you have time would love to see an update but somehow I think that every second of the next 3 weeks will already be accounted for!
I want to wish you every success for this venture and a HUGE congratulations on being accepted as one of the fifteen artists to show their sculptures!!!
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Permalink Reply by Elke Trittel on -
my god,Rob, what a phantastic project which is very different to your rusty art!Fantastic!!!
Get us updated and show us on a video if you can!Lots of energy for the weeks to come!
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Permalink Reply by Wendy Johnson on -
CONRATULATIONS on getting into the show ROB!!!!!
Fantastic idea! Love your official write up on the piece and then the ACTUAL account of trying to make it come together. Hope your neck is ok ;)
You must show us the finished piece set up on display.
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Permalink Reply by Tammy Seaman on -
Wowee how cool! Congrats on being accepted and it looks really interesting so far...can't wait to see the finished project!
Go Rob!!!
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Permalink Reply by Jan Jackson on -
amazing project and awesome use of discarded materials. kudos to you!!!
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Permalink Reply by Rob Lineberger on
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Thanks! This one is a nail biter for sure.
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Permalink Reply by Mo Mapes on -
WOW- Rob how cool is this???!! Can't wait to see it finished! It will be a winner with the public. I do know how hard it is to take apart the hard drives, etc. I just took apart a whole computer a couple of weeks ago. DANG- finding out how they are put together so you can take them apart is tough- but I managed to get it done. I love all of the parts that you get out of them. Thanks for explaining what you are doing- it sounds wonderful and I know you will get it done and it will look fabulous!!!!
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Permalink Reply by Heather on -
This looks SO freeken cool!! All the frustration in the end will be worth it when your famous: )
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Permalink Reply by Rob Lineberger on
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Just a followup.... here is a video taken during the opening reception. It was fun to be in the mall doing an interactive art critique while mall patrons walked by and gawked/joined in. I was nervous being the first speaker but it went okay.
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Birthdays
Birthdays Today
Birthdays Tomorrow
Music
HERE ARE 2 LINKS to TWO of my youtube videos talking and demonstrating about this amazing product:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIc02QBihJQ&feature=share&list=UUM6N5AOYoyg6eAkbcDWpNFg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zAPZn5TEyM&list=UUM6N5AOYoyg6eAkbcDWpNFg&index=41
So once i have my image printed onto transparency film, I take my Ezscreen silk screen which has been coated in light sensitive emulsion (These sheets come pre-coated so they are ready to use). Place it onto a black board, then place the transparency image on top (this part needs to be done in a dark room with no direct sunlight). I take it outside and expose it for 1 minute and 40 seconds (but time varies depending on time of day and strength of sunlight). After i have exposed the image i place it into a tub of water for around 5 - 8 minutes. Then i rinse the screen out under fast running water until the unexposed area (the black) washes away. I then expose the screen to the sun for a further 20mins to completely harden the light sensitive emulsion.
And this is the completed screen ready for printing. I simply use an old credit card to spread the ink over the screen making sure i do one complete full stroke across the screen (holding the credit card at a 45 degree angle). I immediately wash the screen out under fast flowing water and pat dry. I use fabric screen printing ink which washes out in water (which makes the process easy).
I love this product, their website is http://ezscreenprint.com/ (for full instructions and details on how to purchase this awesome product).
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