Detritus (III - XIV)
Breathing and Hyperventilating Airline Sickness Bags
The Elevator Pitch
"Detritus (III - XIV)", the second in a series, is a statement on the life embedded within the objects we buy, use and ultimately discard. This series in particular addresses the anxiety associated with travel.
Building A Prototype
Img 1 - Domino's sugar bag The first prototype for the "Detritus" series was a Domino's sugar bag (Img. 1). The Domino's bag specifically was built in such a fashion as to resist tearing due to the layering of a thicker lining than most commercial bulk bags. Overall, it held up nicely to the wear and tear of the motor and mechanism placed inside. The Domino's bag was used as a template for the resulting airline sickness bags.
A Second Prototype
Img 2 - Breathing paintingExpanding on the theme of anthromorphizing inanimate objects, particularly realizing essential bodily functions, another prototype was built to bring breath to paintings. Recalling horror movies of past, as well as displaying the mechanism with which the "breathing" was created, a fake Mark Rothko painting was created to run the first trial of the "breathing" system (Img. 2). The work, while functional, did not generate the required subtlety nor the desired aesthetics.
Ultimately, based on the success of the Domino's sugar bag prototype, airline sickness bags were chosen to create the final work. Initially consisting of 13 bags, the work in a gallery setting would be expanded to encompass the entire gallery floor.
Installation
Img 3 - Installation imageInstalled at the ITP Spring 2007 show, "Detritus (III - XIV)" was well received, gaining international press coverage on we-make-money-not-art and Core77.
The full series can be seen at http://detritus-series.com.