PERSPECTIVE CHAMBER
perspective chamber was created during the Land Arts of the American West course of study in 2003. perspective chamber was built as a place to stare. The temporary installation was situated in the evaporating shores of Lake Powell. Here the shifting volumes of lake water, moving clouds, and eroded sedimentary rock provided the context for creating a work that experimented with our understanding of space and volume. In an attempt to subtly blur the distinction between artwork and site, I used existing stone from the surrounding area to create an intimate refuge. This space, only large enough for one person, situated the viewer in a reclined position, sloped towards higher ground. It provided the visitor a station from which to observe a towering mass of
rock formations beyond. By tracing a line in the sand from an “oculus” at one end of the structure, I attempted visually to collapse space. Utilizing our eyes’ natural tendency to connect the dots, the line drew the inhabitant’s gaze to the landmark in the distance. The view from the chamber
foreshortened the perceived distance, allowing the viewer to distort the perception of his or her body in relation to distant object. This work was an attempt to play with the cognitive dissonance of physically being located in one place, yet allowing the mind to conceive of being located elsewhere.