BYU Museum installation

BYU Museum installation!

I've long been interested in scientific and math concepts ideas and theories such as string theory or multiple worlds theory or mathematical mapping. So when I was preparing for the BYU Museum exhibition by doing a site visit, I requested a tour of the acclaimed Animation department at BYU. I saw how they were combining mathematical mapping or topography layered over free hand drawing, and my two interests come together nicely. The animator demonstrated how they teach digital animation by building up different ways of seeing the world. They begin with a hand drawing, which is then translated into the digital reality by massing the shape in basic structures, then they apply a 'wire-frame' to define the details of the character and finally a skin is applied. The wire-frame is kinda like a gridded mesh, which defines the shapes. I liked the idea of presenting my drawing in two different ways or realities, my line drawing of architecture from Provo v.s. the more information packed wire-frame type drawing. So I collaborated with a student to have her make one of my drawings into wire-frame. And decided to split the space into two ways of seeing the same drawing.

The work begins on one wall with my original drawing and moves off the wall onto a 3-d shaped wall. On the other side of the wall is the wire-frame version of the drawing which moves from the shaped wall onto the adjoining gallery wall and wraps around the other side of the gallery. Throughout both versions are the incomplete open cubes riffing off of Sol Lewitt but with absurd colors. These cubes move through the drawing both interrupting the buildings and supporting the drawings. I like the idea that both architecture and sculpture are both simple structures but with different applications. When the drawing is on the flat wall the cubes are flat. But when the wall busts into 3-d the cubes become 3-d forms as well.

Below are photos of the installation as it is progressing.

Day 1

I arrived at around noon to an army of projectors, carts, supplies and the false wall looking good! After a half day of working, I was able to outline the first whole wall and was ready for the army of volunteers who would be coming the next day.

Day 2

About 45 people showed up to volunteer. In the morning it was amazing to see one family of three generations, grandmother, mother, daughters come and paint. They were amazing as were all the volunteers. Below is the mid-day volunteer group.