What to expect when you’re expecting (an exhibition).
Two weeks ago, Crux (as seen from those who sleep on the surface of the earth under the night sky) was installed in the Potomac, the main rotunda at NMAI. It now hangs and rotates, as a result of a multitude of hours and of hands planning and weighing and balancing and adjusting. Five large plastic animals nearly perfectly balanced and counter-balanced from an inverted rowboat suspended from the ceiling. Engineering!
The morning of the installation: the emu, the possum, the sea eagle, and the shark, loaded onto carts, took the freight elevator up from the basement collections area where they had been corralled for the past several months. Then the elevator broke. The crocodile took the more scenic route: up from the loading dock to the mean streets of DC, through the staff entrance (allowed access despite lack of appropriate identification), and to the Potomac.
Three scissor lifts were employed simultaneously to lift the pieces in appropriate sequence. When the lifts descended, Crux was left to turn at will.
And elsewhere? Garbage cans.
The piece above, Carapace, was originally made by Mr. Jungen at Frac des Pays de la Loire, in France, out of French plastic garbage bins. Les poubelles. When the piece was dismantled, the bins were systematically stacked, and shipped over the Atlantic by sea freight. Land ho, the port of Baltimore and thence to Smithsonian storage and finally NMAI. So many bins, so many bins.
Thorough inspection. Photo by Gail Joice.
And now, with the cleaner garbage bins, Mr. Jungen works on the reconstruction of the piece. Expect some changes. Jigsaws are currently being employed. There are plastic crumbs everywhere.
And elsewhere:
Many hands to raise them both. Luckily the artist is here to give his input.
Be ready. The 16th is right around the corner.
A very different installation. Leave the pins at home.
This is an very interesting article, I have to say "Thorough inspection" is my favorite. I will be sure to check back regularly.
Park
http://www.parksegler.com
Posted by: Justin | February 25, 2010 at 10:43 PM
The turtle shell of garbage cans is priceless! Really wish I could have been there to see all this, your photos are a beautiful consolation though. Thanks!
- Joseph
Posted by: Joseph S | April 04, 2011 at 04:25 AM
I find the carapace piece amazing. It took a lot of work and a lot of cleaning phases but the results speaks for itself.
Posted by: | April 22, 2011 at 04:15 PM
I like Crux. I've always liked any work of art that fills empty spaces above our heads with such a brilliant, artistic and beautiful piece of artwork. Great input!
Michelle Porter
Posted by: Michelle Porter | May 29, 2011 at 11:09 AM
I've always found hanging installations like this fascinating. I've never had a installation of my own, but thanks to this article I feel like I'd know what to expect.
Natalie
Posted by: Natalie | November 22, 2011 at 04:17 PM
enjoyed the post and the information good job thanks.
Posted by: lazyproblogger | November 23, 2011 at 11:34 AM