Contained has at its center an acrylic dome with a scale model of Chicago inside. Every 40 minutes a sun and moon complete a full rotation around this mechanical microcosm. Underneath the city electronic and mechanical elements control lighting effects within the model. During the night cycle the city is lit with fiber optic and LED light. Within the dome “smog” created by ultrasonic humidifiers emits from the highway and the nearby coal fired power station. In this dome I am exploring the closed system that we live in called earth. Viewers can access the dome in 2 ways. First, viewer can see the exterior of the dome object; this will look very much like some kind of orbiting satellite. Second viewers will access the work from a close-circuit camera setup on the exterior of the dome. This camera connects to a monitor in the main lobby of the Fine Arts Center. I want the viewer to question place, by juxtaposition of these 2 vantage points within the project.
Date Completed: 2010
Dimensions: 48” L x 40” W x 60” H
Medium: aluminum, steel, acrylic, electronics, LED lights, ultra sonic humidifier, water, video camera, monitor, D.C. motors. Enamel paint.
Quick Time Movie (Click to play)
Contained; view of sun rotating around dome (click to enlarge)
Contained; detail of smoking stack (click to enlarge)
Contained; view of city during day sequence (click to enlarge)
Contained; view of smoking stack (click to enlarge)
Contained; view of city during night sequence (click to enlarge)
Contained; view of city during night sequence (click to enlarge)
Contained; view of city during night sequence (click to enlarge)