Tell a bit about your involvement in Artica, both as an artist and as a visitor to the festival. When did you first attend? What were your impressions?
I first attended Artica around a decade ago. By “attend,” I mean a friend had told me to come and I stumbled onto the gig about 20-minutes before the Lady Burn, had seen nothing and had no idea what was going on. However, it was easy enough to get the vibe and this was actually my introduction to the Burner culture. Since then I participated in various Burns and Artica for around 10 years.
When did you first apply to be a presenting artist at the fest? For what did you apply? How did your proposal change from the time it was written up to the time you set up on site?
My first Artica art application was actually not an application at all, but a rouge art installation at Artica in 2017.
NASA's Voyager program had turned 40 years old, and I built an eight-by-eight plywood “birthday card.” That had a big turnout, a lot of space fans were happy to see it and talk about space stuff.
Can you tell us a bit about your piece last year, in 2022. If you could, speak a bit to the mission or notion behind that work. How did it go for you and the project overall? Did it live up to your hopes?
The One Hour Photo booth came from myself getting hung up on the logistics of developing film in the field, it seemed overwhelming although people did that for a hundred years. I thought Artica would be a fun venue for a demo so I built the kit and tried it in garage with a friend. That seemed to work so I applied.
I'm clearly picturing your installation and performance space from last year. Tell me more about that. Were there any particular challenges to that street, be it wind or electricity or heat or light or other? Seems that every artist bringing a large amount of stuff has to contend with something or another. How about you?
I don't recall any significant changes to the demo vs. what was applied for.
The demo itself was to allow participants to take a couple photos with an actual film camera, then I'd process the film on the spot, and use a computer to display the photos with tones inverted on the fly. Film developing does not need many things, but you cannot work without them. So the key was logging the parts and process which turned out to be a two page document, then testing it outside of a lab, and getting all the pieces into the field.
Some day I'd like to take the process, with photos, and turn it into a zine, just for fun.
The demo itself had about no problems besides a film jam during tank load; I had to use the Kerr's bathroom as a darkroom real quick. Wind kept blowing around the film as it dried. I was a bit underwhelmed by the turnout, a lot of people thought it was a neat idea, but only two really attended. However they were really into it, they even helped me break down and pack up after. "You can't please everybody" implies that you've pleased somebody.
The street installation was basically perfect. I roll pretty heavy so it was easy to get everything to/from the car. I used a large battery for the computer, monitor & incidental gear so no need for a generator. For some reason I recall it being a big packout; film dev is only two boxes but add all the water, containers for used water, shelter, everything to make computer stuff work, random tools, etc. and it just adds up.
What were your favorite aspects of the weekend? What caught your eyes and ears?
Artica is always a pretty good time, I've been to so many that things blur together. I did like the pandemic catharsis piece, where participants can vent their 2020 woes by attacking paper. The mural was a huge endeavor. Rocher adding a runway to the stage, and helping set up both stages was nice.
I imagine that folks may've taken the time to engage with you onsite. Is it/was it fun for you to chat about your work in that sort of live-time environment?
I did enjoy talking about the process with attendants. Some people have not seen photographic film, that could have been their first & last experience with it. I've done art/craft panels over the years and like that kind of thing. If I did it again I'd do something that more involved participants and/or could operate unattended.
You've been to the event many times. Can you give me your feelings about the Burn and The Boat of Dreams Parade? What moves you from each experience? And, to that end, what's fun for you in walking through the entire grounds?
Boat of Dreams parade is a great add. It's not quite the same when we can't go to the river, but that's only part of it in my opinion. It's nice to have a big noise and everyone flying their flag like that. And whatever piece you brought can burn with the Lady anyhow.
Lady Artica is always a class act of a burn, and it's our luck that we are able to do that in the city like that. It's that big burn experience of a regional, but without driving far. I deleted a bigger rant, but I feel like the crowd becomes more consuming than participating on Sunday night. A bit frustrating if you spent the whole weekend maintaining or volunteering, and the biggest crowd shows up in the last two hours of the show. Lately I just find a nice spot on the outskirts of the burn and watch it with eyes, not a screen.
More Artica interviews and content can be found here.