Drifting

Drifting, May 2023

"Drifting" was a collaborative multi-media installation with  Jaya Darriet using ambient sound recordings and video projection over recycled, hand-pressed paper; 25 paper 'leaves or boats' hanging at different heights from the ceiling create a floating, uneven projection surface and immersive, contemplative environment.

The shapes were cut from my large 4' x 5' sheets of hand-pressed recycled papers and edges were trimmed with repurposed reed sticks disassembled from an old paper roller shade. Once adhered to the paper, the leaves were re-softened with water, the ends pulled together, and left to dry into the resulting compound curved forms. I used sisal twine to suspend them from ceiling tracks above; serendipitously, these hairy strands catching the projected light gave an effect that reminded me of SCUBA diving through California's kelp forests.

Two videos are posted here. The first is a short sequence of the projection produced by Darriet in the gallery. Together, we rented kayaks in Santa Barbara, CA where she filmed water surfaces, and took sound recordings as we paddled the harbor, pier, and breakwater. Other elements were filmed from the window of an airplane. The second video is an exchange between graduate art students, the artists, and faculty at CSUN. So while of humble quality, it demonstrates its contemplative nature as an installation that generated discussion among peers. (Video courtesy of Ramiro Meza).