Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Annnnd Finally - Matter In Time edit



Matter In Time
24’ Tall, 40’ Wide, 240’ Long
May 2007
Alfred NY
60 decommissioned lamp poles, phosphorescent strips, fabricated hinges, stainless steel cable, hardware, and stadium lighting.

The poles were charged at dusk with stadium lights. After complete darkness ensued, the lights were extinguished to reveal a glowing mass of lines hanging in the air. USR Optonix provided the phosphorescent pigment, while Suncor Stainless donated the cable that enabled the sculpture to stretch 240' across a football field. The installation was exhibited for 2 weeks.

Saturday, January 19, 2008

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

The Syracuse University M-LAB

I am currently working with Matt Rink in Syracuse NY, on a unique project implicating a RV in the process of transformation. Imagine a Pimp My RIde show, and Matt and I have stepped in for a while to do the building of a flossy design, conceptualized by Syracuse Art and Architecture Students.

"M-Lab is the collaborative effort of the Social Sculpture class at Syracuse University, comprised of 10 art and architecture students and lead by artist and Director of Community Initiatives in the Visual Arts of Syracuse University, Marion Wilson. Our mission is to transform a used, 1984 Recreational Vehicle Bus into a Mobile Literacy and Arts Bus for use by the Syracuse City School District and the greater Syracuse Community.

Through the Partnership for Better Education, an incredible curriculum that bridges photography, poetry and literacy currently exists-- however due to a crisis of space, the schools don't always have the space or resources to house it. M- Lab will be this space. The bus will serve as mobile classroom, digital studio, gallery space, and community center. "

http://mobileliteracyartsbus.blogspot.com/

The reality is that drawn on paper or on a computer, everything is square and plumb. Working in a 1984 RV, everything is askew and requires a bit more thought than your average construction job. Overall the experience is worthwhile, as we are handed a credit card, and told to make it happen.

Saturday, January 12, 2008

Production Junction V 2.0

Life is in flux, and will continue to be in a state of unpredictability for the upcoming future. I am in Alfred now, finishing up 7 benches with a friend and collaborator, Matt Rink. The materials are all recycled, consisting of Corian® flashing from injection molds, recycled composite lumber, off-spec Estee Lauder bracelts, and conduit from a repurposed lighting grid. It is integrated recycling, and will continue to be an interesting avenue to investigate for future public art commissions.








The Corian® flashing was the inspiration for the benches, and creates wonderful optical patterns from the rear. For more info on where these benches will end up visit:

http://alfredcotta.blogspot.com

Thursday, January 03, 2008

Jackson to ?



Living in Jackson Hole for the past 23 years has been a catch 22. It is absolutely beautiful in summer, fall, winter and spring, with abundant activities to keep one entertained and awed for a lifetime. However, in retrospect Jackson is very hard to leave, as many places don't have the Tetons in your backyard, or world-class skiing 10 minutes away.



I have a one-way ticket to New York state, where a friend (Matt Rink- fellow lamp pole collaborator and bus shelter co-founder) and I will be tackling life's challenges. These include 7- 600 pound benches made from excess Corian® from DuPont's factory in Buffalo, random fabrication for a mobile education laboratory bus in Syracuse, and finally a lamp pole sculpture or two for the Sculpture Barn. Amidst this swarm of activity will be proposals, applications, emails, and lots of grant writing with the goal of 'being a self employed artist, or artist team'.

Updates soon to follow...