the flow of stress concept, a slide projection-sculptural installation
Allen Memorial Art Museum, Oberlin Ohio, November-December 1996.
the flow of stress concept is a multiple medium installation using slide projection/dissolve with audio and sculptural elements. Three slide projectors are suspended from ceiling mounts in a darkened room and project an overlapping and dissolving series of text and modified drawings on the opposite wall. The first group of drawings is based on charts, graphs and vocabulary from stress analysis of structures and materials selected for their psychological metaphors and projected in blue. The second series are drawings of injured men projected in red. The last group is schematics of booby traps adapted from military manuals projected in yellow and refer to unsuspected danger and violence hidden in everyday objects and situations
Photographs representing static arrangements of the projected drawings are included below. In the actual installation, the viewer experiences a continuous change and flow of images. By using several projectors, each visual element appears gradually, assembles as part of a multiple grouping, then fades separately as other combinations begin. The appearance of the drawings is like dissolving blue, red and yellow neon lights.
Sculpture and sound are significant components of the viewer's experience. Behind a 14" high yellow steel barricade is an arrangement of objects. The inspiration comes from the pits of racetracks which are filled with intensity and a sense of imminent danger. An air compressor provides a periodic mechanical pumping noise and is connected through a manifold to brightly colored blue, red and yellow air hoses. The computer controlling the slide dissolve is programmed to occasionally release a valve that sends a burst of air through the hoses causing them to hiss and writhe like aggressive mechanical snakes. Fuel bottles used in motor racing are filled with liquid and are illuminated from behind.
the flow of stress concept is filled with contradictions. The projected images describe violence but are beautifully incandescent on the walls of the darkened room. The gradual dissolving of the drawings is gentle but the effect of the compressor, noise and movement of air is unexpected and startling. The liquids in the glowing fuel bottles are unknown and might be gasoline. The interweaving of danger, technology, injury, pain, grief and loss address the complexities and consequences of a monolithic and inflexible definition of maleness.
An overview of the flow stress concept installation showing the yellow safety guard rail, twelve racing fuel bottles illuminated by industrial work lights, blue, red and yellow air hoses and blue air compressor with dissolving projected drawings drawings on the rear wall. Dimensions are approximately 21’ deep and 25’ wide.
Side view of the flow stress concept installation showing the yellow safety guard rail, industrial work lights illuminating the racing fuel bottles and blue, red and yellow air hoses and blue air compressor in the foreground. Three slide projectors and dissolve computer are hanging from the ceiling by customized mounts. Dimensions are approximately 21’ deep and 25’ wide.
Detail of the three slide projectors and the computer controlled dissolve unit hanging from customized ceiling mounts in the flow stress concept installation. There is a little door on the back panel of each slide projector that can be opened to provide light for notes during a typical presentation. I left the doors open and as each projector became operational a beautiful rhythm of lights and colors were cast on the wall behind.
Detail of the custom controller box built to trigger an electric on/off switch on the manifold connecting the three air hoses to the air compressor. I programmed the computerized slide dissolve unit to send an occasional signal to the controller box to activate the on/off switch and release air through the hoses.
Detail of a wall projection representing a static arrangement of the projected drawings. During the installation performance there is a continuous flow of images. Each visual component slowly appears and becomes part of a multiple grouping, then fades separately as other combinations begin. Charts, graphs and vocabulary from stress analysis of structures and materials are projected in blue, injured men projected in red and schematics of military booby traps are in yellow. The appearance of the drawings is like slowly appearing and fading neon lights.
Detail of a wall projection representing a static arrangement of the projected drawings in the flow of stress concept. Dimensions variable.
Detail of a wall projection representing a static arrangement of the projected drawings in the flow of stress concept. Dimensions variable.
Detail of a wall projection representing a static arrangement of the projected drawings in the flow of stress concept. Dimensions variable.
Detail of a wall projection representing a static arrangement of the projected drawings in the flow of stress concept. Dimensions variable.
Many thanks to Curator Any Kurlander and the entire staff at the Allen Memorial Art Museum, Oberlin College, Oberlin Ohio.
Cristopher Hoot's elegantly designed brochure that included Amy Kurlander's thoughtful introduction captured the essence of the flow of stress concept and follows below.
The Allen Memorial Art Museum, Oberlin College, Bulletin Volume L, Number 2, 1997 contained an eleven page article featuring Any Kurlander's in depth interview and included many photographs of the installation.
