Jurassic Park

All of my on-site installations begin with a survey of space. As I open myself up to its mystery and memory, I consider these guiding principles: symbolism, imagination, simplicity, and repetition. Then an initial image emerges spontaneously that usually comes from some unknown source and represents the conceptual framework for the piece. With Jurassic Park, this image was that of a small and fragile insect trying to survive on our planet in the 21st century. Then the hard work began as I plunged into a process involving constant experimentation with the existing space, the flow of ideas, and the available materials (in this case, a variety of found objects).

In this project, space carried an important meaning as the primary installation concept emerged. I used it to the fullest constructing enlarged versions of the following 4 insects: The Mosquito (68'x20'x12', Found Objects, Light, 2013), The Paterson Butterfly (51'x54'x12', Found Objects, Light, Projection, 2013), The Grasshopper (35'x45'x13', Found Objects, Cardboard, Light, 2013), and The Fly (54'x55'x20', Found Objects, 2013). The enormous scale of these insects referenced the overwhelming presence of the extinct dinosaur. It soon became clear that I created Jurassic Park to emphasize the danger that exists in our world today with its out-of-control consumerism and toxic waste.

Jurassic Park stimulates the asking of these crucial questions: Is 21st century materialism and the resulting global garbage threatening life on earth? Are we trashing the planet? Can we gain control over this destructive behavior?