The proposed installation is based on an ongoing series of work centered on funnel or vessel-like shapes that were derived from an abstraction of the human figure. The interactions of the forms reflect notions of transference, giving/taking, pouring/receiving. They focus on fundamental aspects of human relationships and communication: how we relate to ourselves and, moreover, how we relate to each other (fig. 1 - 5).
Above: Fig. 1. I Can’t Keep My Mouth Shut 1. 2000. Monotype. 9 x 6". Fig. 2. I Can’t Keep My Mouth Shut 2. 2000. Retouched monotype. 9 x 6". Fig. 3. I Can’t Keep My Mouth Shut 3. 2000. Retouched monotype. 9 x 6"
Right: Fig. 4. Leak. 2000. steel. 9 x 6 x 9" Fig. 5. Flout. 2001. copper. 4½ x 14 x 14"
Over the past several years, an exploration of this work has led from a series of transitory muslin forms to bronze vessel-like forms (fig. 6 - 9). As shown in Figure 10, a preliminary drawing for a muslin piece from 2005 depicts a large space filled with figures interconnected by funnel shapes rising towards the ceiling. In the current proposal, the figures would be removed from the installation while the funnel forms would remain, causing the audience to become the figurative aspect of the work (fig.11).
Right: Fig. 6. Nourish. 2005. Muslin, resin, thread, steel. 16 x 11 x 9" Fig. 7. Ariadne’s Clew. 2007. Muslin, resin, thread, iron oxide, stainless steel. 108 x 73 x 108" (dimensions variable)
Below: Fig. 8. One to Two. 2008-2009. bronze. 12 x 10 x 23" Fig. 9. Open Vessel. 2009. Bronze. 55 x 37 x 37"
Fig. 10. Untitled (Funnel Installation Drawing). 2005. pencil on paper. 8½ x 11" Fig. 11. Untitled (Give and Take Preliminary Drawing). 2010. Charcoal, gouache and pencil on paper. 22 x 30"
To create a further connection between the audience and the physical forms of the piece, the funnels will begin/end at heights determined by average heights of the intended audience. Data from the National Center for Health Statistics and the US Census would be used to derive the average height of the population of the exhibition area based on sex and age. (For instance, if 10% of residents are women between the ages of 20-29 and the average height of women in that age group is 64 inches, then 10% of the funnels will either begin or end at 64 inches from the ground.)
Right: Fig. 12.Untitled (Give and Take Preliminary Drawing - View Above) 2010. Gouache and pencil on ink jet print 8½ x 11"