Things to think about

A GREAT DAYDREAM- A project based on the Declaration of Independence shown at the wonderfully supportive Linda Warren Gallery.

September 5th – October 11th, 2008
Artist Reception: Friday, September 5th, 6-9 pm
Parlor Demonstration & Conversation Saturday, Oct. 4th, 2 pm
Gallery Hours: Tues-Sat 11-5 pm and by private appt.

My interest in the Declaration as an art source begins with its self-destructive qualities. The document states that people have a right to "alter or abolish" the government which fails to serve the public good. The power of The People and human power are linked in this project wherein to use the contraptions is to actively read and potentially destroy the document. It is interesting to me that a certain kind of dreamy failure seems to be a part of the spirit of so many great documents. Vague language coupled with lofty ideals leads to a true openness of interpretation, a miniature little void woven through our motivations. An openness to change and to future unknowns leads us to not worship our handiwork. Thus, the potential self destruction for the "Great Daydream's" mechanism of concrete and pulleys which may destroy itself, becomes its source of idea power. (more)

"Arguably the great division in American political life has been between the original Federalists and Republicans. Their polar aspects, for those who enjoy personalizing the abstract, are Hamilton and Jefferson. Hamilton: "A national debt, if not excessive, will be to us a national blessing." Today's Hamiltonians have beatified our present nation with a debt undreamed of by Hamilton, who also took the dark view of democracy: "the people is a great beast." Opposite of Hamilton is the benign Jefferson who assured us that, simply by birth we have... "unalienable rights among which are the preservation of Life and Liberty and the pursuit of happiness." That the actual pursuit of happiness is, in and of itself, the only true happiness that most of us will ever know might be the puritan Adamsian gloss on what was more Jefferson's great daydream than any working political philosophy."

-Gore Vidal, from Inventing a Nation; Washington, Adams, Jefferson

A catapult in a nuclear war

On The Potential Controversy of a Small Noisy Object Displayed at the Marketplace: Read if Aggravated. "..art functions to the extent that it falls into the unknown. It is not the idea that we are trying to find truth, but that we are looking for less falseness. Therefore, what is false is unnecessary to art." (more)

Beewtye.

Limited edition Slipping Glimpser bowling balls are available. The most permanent objects I have ever made are available on a first come first served basis. Contact Conrad for more information.

Press Page. Read and Listen to what some critics have said about the A Great Daydream, the Slipping Glimpser, and other projects.

The Slipping Glimpser is a large scale sculptural project which stimulates dynamic audience interaction. It is based on ideas of beauty articulated by both the Columbian Expo of 1893 and by painter Willem de Kooning. The serpentine human-powered roller-coaster type contraption has approximate dimensions of 50 feet long by 10 feet wide by 12 feet high. Its clever levers, graceful curves, and spectacular destruction engross viewers with ephemeral notions of a profound humanity. For more details click here.

You are born weeping and you die alone

Drop the Ball Event #1 "Demolition City" Friday, March 31st, 2006 9:00 p.m. You came and destroyed. Thank you. Using the Ball Dropper, the audience demolished some dainty little sculptures. Fragments of these sculptures have been encased within P.B.A. certified clear bowling balls for use in the Slipping Glimpser. I encourage everyone who might be interested in the project to make contact by joining the email list (information will be used for the sole purpose keeping you posted with project information).

The Slipping Glimpser is a sponsored project of the New York Foundation for the Arts