“Common corrugated plastic yard signs are transformed into structures inspired by nature and patterns. The advertising and political content is fractured and disrupted giving these materials a new life and meaning. The repetition of forms, the vibrant colors and the prolific amount of reused materials in this work also suggests the potential for these forms to multiply and expand out of control.” – from Elizabeth Gahan‘s artist statement.
Streetside Artscape:
Elizabeth Gahan / Color Wave
11th & Broadway – Woolworth Window #2
Sept. 2 – Dec. 20, 2013
“Color Wave” an installation by Elizabeth Gahan, Sept. 1- Dec 19, 2013, Woolworth Windows
“Color Wave” by Elizabeth Gahan
From Elizabeth Gahan’s artist statement, “Using corrugated plastic, print advertising, colorful vinyl and found materials, I create seductive and provocative installations inspired by both natural and urban environments. I use ordinary materials to create elaborate “synthetic growths” in which, like flora, fauna, or crystals, they morph and adapt to their site-specific locations.”
Color Wave flows through the space, playing off of its dips, turns, eccentricities.
“’Color Wave’ created for Tacoma Spaceworks Window #2 is constructed from common plastic yard signs woven together with twine and pins and enhanced at night with animated, colored lights. The advertising and political content is fractured and obscured allowing the beauty of color and graphic design to remain as waves of color flowing throughout the window space. Along with a strong sense of pattern and geometry, these materials are also arranged in subtle references to waves, mountains, horizon line, and greenery thus contrasting to the hard edge shapes they are made from. The line between what is “natural” and “unnatural” is blurred, while the displacement of organic materials by synthetic materials hints at a growing imbalance between the two.”
“Natural” vs. “Unnatural”
“The deliberate use of synthetic materials and advertisements points to a broader conversation of urban growth and consumer culture. The repetition of forms, vibrant colors and the prolific amount of reused materials implies the potential to multiply and expand out of control. Yet, the materials are disposable and held together with removable hinges, also implying the possibility of total collapse.”
“Color Wave” also has a night life! Come dusk, the entire window transforms into a mini Dubai, or Vegas with a vibrant show of colored lights.
“My work strives to embrace beauty, innovation and cultural production alongside critical dialogue and consideration of our growing urban environments and the unintended consequences of human activity.”
The full spectrum of colors radiate out onto Broadway at night.
To see more work by Elizabeth Gahan visit her website www.elizabethgahan.com
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