Psycho/geography, Psycho/physics, Psycho/matter
Place and geography impact and effect one’s psychological state and memory. Place is easily described by its physical characteristics; what is underfoot, the building you’re in, the natural elements. Chicago as place has infinite material moments that can describe it in terms of time, history, and complex human ecology. A material moment is anything in our physical realm; the things we construct and craft, the natural world we construct from, and the things we discard and forget.
In psycho/geo/matter I propose to harvest Chicago’s material moments as determined by her residents and physically incorporate that matter into glass blocks to be constructed into 4 sculptures for the State/Lake CTA. The “matter” would be solicited through a process of community engagement with the residents of Chicago. Possible donations from Chicagoans could include: a dried flower bouquet, Chicago River water, a wooden spoon from the kitchen, vintage copper penny, used aluminum foil from a BBQ, glass bead necklace, dust from a cupboard, a love letter,……
The types of materials that are compatible for inclusion into hot glass are limited to; carbon based, some mineral based, and most metals. However, there are processes I can use during production that will allow for the incorporation of other materials. Liquid such as water can be used to chill or crackle the exterior surface, for noncompatible materials(plastic) I can take an impression of the material in sand and incorporate that impression within a blow-mold.
Each of the four sculptures will contain approximately 168 glass blocks, or more accurately 168 glass truncated tetrahedron blocks supported by a steel framework. Each glass block will be individually hand blown into a custom designed mold and will incorporate the harvested materials.
