Weather Piece (sky-writing)
mixed media sculpture installation and card
wax carbon paper on canvas w/ laminated, typewritten card
dimensions variable; canvas 12" x 12", card 5" x 3"
2022
"Weather Piece (sky-writing)" (detail)
"Weather Piece (sky-writing)" (detail)
"Weather Piece (sky-writing)" (detail)
"Weather Piece (sky-writing)" (detail)
"Weather Piece (sky-writing)" (detail)
Inspired by Yoko Ono’s instructions for pieces revolving around themes of weather, and in part by the environmental performance work of Ana Mendieta, this site-specific installation breaks the boundary between environment and structure. "Weather Piece (sky-writing)" allows the weather to act as a performing entity and random influence on the piece outside of the artist’s control. Strips of wax carbon paper are affixed to a blank painter’s canvas, which is situated in an outdoor space, facing up toward the sky, inviting precipitation, such as snow and rain, to make impact on the piece and thus write a secret message to the viewer in the process. Rather than thinking about this piece as one that breaks down and erodes from its passive interaction with the environment, a new context is formed where the piece becomes an active participant in its own making, coming alive when acted upon.
This piece was part of a group show of installations entitled "Expanding Terrains," located in the Yamasaki Garden, Detroit, MI.