“It’s Not Me, … It’s You, …”  installation, dimensions variable, 2006

An art object’s value is dictated by abstract terms applied to it - art historical context, beauty, language, cultural currency, meaningful experience, etc..
The way these terms are mediated by the artwork ultimately controls to whom an artwork appeals to and how value is assigned to it.

In traditional terms, meaningful experience is created with a work of art by establishing a relationship between viewer and object.
What I’m most concerned with is when this relationship becomes personal, intimate and domestic.
I want to simplify this relationship by removing myself from the position of direct authorship by presenting a system for building objects, without any specific art-objects.
I want to concretize this relationship through physical interaction between viewer and artwork.
I want to create an environment that encourages this interaction in a casual and relaxed manner, to cultivate and encourage this relationship to become more personal.
I want this relationship to center around the experience a viewer has with an object.
I want the viewer to leave the situation understanding their relationship to, and their expectations of meaning from … objects.
I want the viewer to understand that art consists of objects and meaning is drawn from relationships and experiences with said objects.
I’m not sure if I’m a materialist or an immaterialist.

The piece consists of a two-part system of roto-molded polyethylene parts created for the building of larger objects.
There is a smaller part and a larger part.
The end product objects are unimportant as the construction and interaction are the focal points of the artwork.
The end product objects can have a utilitarian function or exist as simple formal expression depending on the intentions of the builder and end user.

Also included in the show are two benches with integrated speakers.
These exist to consolidate two functions into one.
These functions are to provide a place to sit as well as to provide output for music.
Music is played for the duration of the installation, in order to lend a certain amount of casualness to the atmosphere.
Every Thursday night, during the show, there is a “Record Night” so people can come by, play records, hang out, interact with the system, have a drink, etc.
Also, every Saturday night, during the show, there is a live performance from a musician or group of musicians, again to augment the casual atmosphere.

Ideally the objects in the gallery will be constantly in flux, the music and social environment being a way to connect with that condition.