Christine Whittaker | Sculpture Multimedia

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Sculpture Multimedia

Crude Independence

Athena Fellowship via Mark Di Suvero

Description:

"Crude Independence" was the body of sculpture work built during the fellowship. While there, I also worked on a number of books and the audiovisual development of other projects. In 2005 I completed several of the sculptures and Crude Independence, which was the culminate book of all the sculpture (part of a contemporary museum request). "Crude Independence" focus concerns the energy issues facing America as well what I believe are Americas greatest resources.

Athena Fellowship (12 Sculptures, Drawings and 4 Books produced)

	1 of 12 sculptures built	The Athena Fellowship Studio

Crusafix

Press

Description:

“Crusafix” is a 7Crusafix’H x 5’W sculpture composed of a small monitor, pine beams, red ribbon, a photograph and a crushed silver crucifix.The sculpture is a statement on the position of our society’s religious organizations regarding the Aids epidemic and their ability to politically influence our society. This led to insurmountable obstacles that blocked millions of Americans from receiving adequate help.

In 1993 my half brother was diagnosed with aids he died in 2005. Crusafix was exhibited in Leslie Lohman Gallery http://www.leslielohman.org/newsletter/No3/Vulva.htm NYC in 1995.

about Crusafix

Crusafix

Press

Electric Shutter	Description: The “Electric shutter”, pictured above, was 15’H x 18’ in D. The sculpture was composed of four timber and shutter sections. Each section was covered in both stationary and loose shutter strips. A garden hose that directed the modified floor waxer circled the shutter structure. The sculpture was activated by the viewer. about Electric Shutter
Electric Shutter		Electric Shutter in motion	Electrical touch plate

Red Rocking Window

Description:

The “Rocking Red Window” was a 2.5’W x 6’L x 7’H viewer-participant sound sculpture. Pictured above, it was constructed of spring steel, an oak base, PVC plastic, 22 piano wires, 22 tuning pins, a mechanical swing arm, springs, two windows and pre-fabricated hardware.

When the viewer participant activates the end of the swing arm the entire sculpture rocks as the swing arm plays the steel strings.

about Red Rocking Window

	Red Rocking Window	Where the swing arm (pick) plucks piano wires

Xylophone	Description: "Xylophone" was a 22 Piece Resonant Sound Sculpture. The “Xylophone” was a 2’H x 5’ W x 8’ D sound sculpture. It was composed of 22 pieces of leaf spring steel mounted on a foam-lined steel substructure. Supporting the steel leaves was a base structure of steel angle iron, oak and 1/8” cable. Once the viewer-participant struck the spring steel, it would resonate in a pure tone. When the “Xylophone” was played as an instrument, it sounded like a “layered matrix of church bells”. Playing the “Xylophone” sent resonant vibrations through the surrounding floor and wall areas. about Xylophone
Xylophone	Spring steel detail

Xylophone

Description:

"Xylophone" was a 22 Piece Resonant Sound Sculpture. The “Xylophone” was a 2’H x 5’ W x 8’ D sound sculpture. It was composed of 22 pieces of leaf spring steel mounted on a foam-lined steel substructure. Supporting the steel leaves was a base structure of steel angle iron, oak and 1/8” cable.

Once the viewer-participant struck the spring steel, it would resonate in a pure tone. When the “Xylophone” was played as an instrument, it sounded like a “layered matrix of church bells”. Playing the “Xylophone” sent resonant vibrations through the surrounding floor and wall areas.

about Xylophone

Xylophone

Spring steel detail

xylophone sound clip

Sound Sculpture 1

Description:

“Sound Sculpture 1” pictured above was 7’H and had a 2.5 trapezoidal ft. base. The sound sculpture was made of welded spring steel leaves and supported by an oak and steel pedestal. Spring steel leaves are commonly used for suspension support in automobiles. The spring steel structure supported a ¾”H x 1¾”W thick granite triangle. The granite triangle was suspended by a piano wire and tuning pin which was attached to the top of the spring steel structure.

When the wire was plucked, a pure tone resonated through the entire structure. Putting pressure on the granite slab altered the tone that was produced.

about Sound Sculpture 1

Sound Sculpture 1

When the wire is plucked sculpture resonates.

Sound Sculpture 2

Description:

“Sound Sculpture 2” - pictured above and left - was 7’H and had a 2.5’ trapezoidal base. The sound sculpture was made of welded spring steel leaves supported by an oak and steel pedestal. The structure carried a piece of 1”H x 4.5’ W x 6” D slate slab. Two piano wires, one at at either end, suspended the slate slab. Two tuning pins were affixed to the top of the sculpture. When the wires were plucked, a pure tone resonated through the entire structure.

“Sound Sculpture 2” resonated twice as long as “Sound Sculpture 1”, as the sound made continued to travel throughout the entire sculpture. Putting pressure on the slate slab altered the tone.

about Sound Sculpture 2

Sound Sculpture 2

When the wire is plucked sculpture resonates .

Metamorphosis of a Bread loaf	Description: "Metamorphosis of a Bread loaf" was a series consisting of an original Colonial bread loaf and two aluminum casts based on that bread loaf. The first cast was taken when the loaf was new, the last one six months later. When shown together, the three sculptures symbolized the metamorphosis of the original Colonial bread loaf. The concept behind these pieces was in regard to Catholicism and its ideologies and myth’s regarding bread. The idea was inspired by seeing a bone shard of “John the Baptist” while visiting Notre Damn in Paris. about Metamorphosis of a Bread loaf
3 bread loafs	Wonder bread

Metamorphosis of a Bread loaf

Description:

"Metamorphosis of a Bread loaf" was a series consisting of an original Colonial bread loaf and two aluminum casts based on that bread loaf. The first cast was taken when the loaf was new, the last one six months later.

When shown together, the three sculptures symbolized the metamorphosis of the original Colonial bread loaf. The concept behind these pieces was in regard to Catholicism and its ideologies and myth’s regarding bread. The idea was inspired by seeing a bone shard of “John the Baptist” while visiting Notre Damn in Paris.

about Metamorphosis of a Bread loaf

3 bread loafs

Wonder bread