| contact name | Gretchen Skogerson |
| artists' names | Gretchen Skogerson, Garth Zeglin |
| artists' locations | Somerville, MA USA |
| art name | PS |
| art media | mixed media (mirror, electronics) |
| art dimensions | 14 1/2" x 22 1/2" x 2" |
| art date | 2005 |
| art description | PS is a talking mirror installation. The mirror engages potential participants by calling out, "Psst." Upon leaning in close, the mirror whispers a secret. The mirror only reveals a single secret at a time. Once the participant walks away, the mirror returns to soliciting.
Why secrets? Secrets are an established mode of communication. They simultaneously provide a release for the author while acting as an offering of sorts to the receiver.
A mirror is a codified way of seeing the self which is not the self
but the other. A secret is a way of recognizing part of the self at a
distance. PS' use of a mirror invites the receiver to consider the
part of them tied to the secret.
Call 212-696-6638 to add your secret. |
| art proposal | I believe that PS fits into the theme of C7 b/c of the elements of chance and perhaps surprise in the encounter between the visitor and the mirror (both in terms of the kind of interaction and the random choice by the mirror of the secret to tell.) [See below for the description.] The secrets are actual ones that I've culled from a 1-800 number and a NYC number. I'd be interested in gathering more secrets at the show if possible. The secrets are re-read before being loaded onto the MP3 player to protect the identity of the caller.... |
| art placard | |
| art url | www.publicsecrets.net |
| date | Sunday, February 13, 2005 |
| time | 10:47 PM EST |
| contact affiliation | Mass College of ARt |
| contact address1 | 64B Beacon Street |
| contact city | Somerville |
| contact state | MA |
| contact country | USA |
| contact zip | 02143 |
| contact phone1 | 646 228 8822 |
| contact email | skogerson@gmail.com |
| art by email | checkbox |
| art status | The work is complete. I m still tweaking the audio and the programming but the piece is fully operational. |
| art maintenance | For the duration of the show. No maintenance needed. |
| art auto | Plug in the power. |
| art sound | The piece produces relatively quiet sounds. It needs to be installed away from other sound pieces. |
| art light | People should be able to see the piece (no super dark corners.) |
| art needs | Needs to be hung on a wall. |
| art safety | No. |