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Ye Ol’ Factory Station (Homage to Sir Joseph Paxton), 2024

8 x 2.5 x 2 feet

Mixed Media: wood, wire, ribbons, puffballs, pins, upcycled clothing, dried herbs, essential oils

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Power Up Instructions, 2024

12 X 12 X 6 inches

Wood frame, written Fluxus prompt, acrylic paint, enamel paint, gold broach, foam mushroom

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Ye Ol' Factory Station (Homage to Sir Joseph Paxton) was created for the exhibition The Arcade of Hypermodernity. It serves as a celebration of human technology, purposely existing in the show as an unplugged homage to the arcades, pageantry, and festivities of a bygone era. Sir Joseph Paxton was the gardener turned architect of The Crystal Palace at London's Great Exhibition of 1851, a pivotal moment in the architectural history of arcades. Up to that point, arcades were mostly known as passageways with arched ceilings where one could take a stroll to clear the mind. Since that infamous Great Exhibition, they've expanded into realms where all manner of  fascinating objects and experiences are housed to amuse and enthrall the viewer.

 

The base of the artwork is a giant nose, adorned with ribbons and cut plant materials (a nod to Paxton the gardener). Each colored puffball on the artwork has a unique scent, inviting visitors to smell each one (although the air surrounding the work is filled with aromas upon approach). The overall exhibition is a multisensory experience and this artwork helps set the tone. It also references the concept of synesthesia, a sensory crossover where senses from one part of the body trigger another, with its vibrant colors evoking an interpretation of smell. The amanita mushroom below is both a reference to psychedelics, which can cause temporary synesthesia and are part of the philosophical discourse of hypermodernity and to one of the most recognizable video games ever made: Super Mario Bros.

 

The finishing touch is a poetic prompt on the wall in the style of the Fluxus movement, inviting visitors into a conceptual realm.

"Oh self-sustaining marvel! Paragon of unparallel potential! You powerful, independent, unplugged mobile device of glorious human being! Harness your senses to interpret the intricate tapestry of existence. Behold the vastness of life busting around you. Transcend the mundane with your aptitude for imagination. Trust your innate wisdom and primal instincts to interpret the unseen. You are a technology of unmatched sophistication. The pinnacle of innovation resides within you. Delight in the bouquet of life using the extraordinary apparatus that is you!

Power up instructions: 1. Close your eyes (enjoy a deep life-affirming breath) 2. Savor essences near and far (fragrances abound nearby within each puffball) 3. Take your time (slow down and appreciate the gift of your existence)"

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