Electric BattleSmooch
Ungenda
12' x 4' x 12' high (with Picklechuck incandescence element)
2016
Electronics, wood, blown glass, copper, light bulbs, PVC, pickle, and humans
This installation, formerly known as Flashy Fives, is a concept first conceived and enjoyed at Penland School of Crafts in North Carolina, in a fantastic course by Shawn Decker. In summer of 2016, I found myself as a teaching assistant at Pilchuck Glass School for a course with Ian Burns and Ben Wright, and a desire to show the power of a simple concept compelled me to revisit this work and create an installation architecture. After blowing some glass on copper tubes and some quick assembly, I had an Electric BattleSmooch.
It accommodates up to 10 participants that, when high fiving or kissing, close a continuous skin-to-skin circuit as part of a collaborative game that uses its flashing lights to create anticipation and draw the players together. The moment of each physical connection is punctuated by the ignition of an electrified pickle that crackles and sparks as long as the high five or smooch endures. This piece inclusively creates bonds and dissolves barriers, themes that I hope to develop and explore more in future public art installations.
Ungenda
12' x 4' x 12' high (with Picklechuck incandescence element)
2016
Electronics, wood, blown glass, copper, light bulbs, PVC, pickle, and humans
This installation, formerly known as Flashy Fives, is a concept first conceived and enjoyed at Penland School of Crafts in North Carolina, in a fantastic course by Shawn Decker. In summer of 2016, I found myself as a teaching assistant at Pilchuck Glass School for a course with Ian Burns and Ben Wright, and a desire to show the power of a simple concept compelled me to revisit this work and create an installation architecture. After blowing some glass on copper tubes and some quick assembly, I had an Electric BattleSmooch.
It accommodates up to 10 participants that, when high fiving or kissing, close a continuous skin-to-skin circuit as part of a collaborative game that uses its flashing lights to create anticipation and draw the players together. The moment of each physical connection is punctuated by the ignition of an electrified pickle that crackles and sparks as long as the high five or smooch endures. This piece inclusively creates bonds and dissolves barriers, themes that I hope to develop and explore more in future public art installations.