ECHO

Work in progress through 2023. I expect these images to be exhibited at Red Head as a complete gallery installation in the fall of 2024. This project began as an exploration of the dissonance and insecurity propagated by social media. It  made me think of my experience as a child in the 1950's and 60's, and the outcry about TV. I watched a LOT of TV. Is there a parallel? Maybe.

I started by drawing retro TV sets - what I grew up with. I am having fun populating the screens with what I remember of that time. In this case, Khrushchev banging his shoe at UN. In black & white, of course

About 18" x 12"

Fidel

Of course, if you have Khrushchev you have to have Fidel.

I think that's a 60's Panasonic portable TV.

About 18" x 12 "

Billy Graham Beseeches

It's what's on top of the TV that counts

About 22" x 30"

Tricky Dick Makes His Point

I only wish my family had had a TV like this. And of course, Nixon's hands could telescope out of the TV.

JFK Rolls His Eyes

In 1960 JFK beat Nixon - and some would claim that it was Nixon's poor appearance on TV that made the different

NIxon JFK Debate installation

A Day Without Orange Juice

Good ol' Anita Bryant pushing Orange Juice.

About 36" x 22"

Anita Gets Pied

Later Bryan, as a rabid homophobic politician gets a pie in the face from a gay activist.

The Beav

OK, cant' do TV from the mid 20th century withoug referencing Leave It To Beaver. Weren't we all supposed to grow up like that?

Maggie Thatcher is Puzzled

The Iron Lady seems perplexed.

The Queen Smiles

Queen Elizabeth's coronation was a big deal for the first time on TV. I wonder what King Chuck thinks?

Installation Strategy

OK - so where do these TVs live? My plan has been to define the space by establishing horizon defined by sky scapes

Cloudscape 1

50 inches x 15 feet. I need about 100 feet of cloudscape drawings to wrap around Red Head.

Cloudscape 1 Studio Installation

Charcoal, carbon pencil and a lot of blue pencil crayon. And yes, indeed, I have set fire to all the edges of the cloudscapes. Kinds seems in line with the times we live in.

Cloudscape 2

Cloudscape 3

Digital mock up of 3 cloudscapes as a continuous frieze

Approx 50 inches x 45 feet

Cloudscape 3 detail with text

As this project evolves, I keep adding elements. In this case cut out 3D text. These phrases will punctuate the installation In this case, "Why, when I was a kid".

Space Junk Studio Installation

Some walls will be high enough that I will have to consider the space above the cloudscapes. So, of course lots of space junk.

Space Junk with lights

A suggestion from talented partner, Sue. - addiing twinkle lights - classic low tech starts.

Our Pet Juliette

Came on the CBC after Hockey Night in Canada. The set is a "hybrid" Zenith - when TVs were furniture. Be glad we don't have those around anymore to lift!

This drawing is almost life size.

Juliette and her echoes

Playing around now with fading the repeats to add "atomospheric" perspective and greater sense of depth. I am thinking that it is working. If so, will have to revisit all the repeating TVs.

Major Kong Rides The Bomb Into Oblivion

One my all time favourite movie scenes, from Dr. Strangelove.

AND on a TV of my own design. Don't you just want to twiddle those dials?

Major Kong and his echoes

Studio installation

Cloud Sky #4

Less obviously dramatic clouds. More blue sky. Sort of. This marks 60 ft. of sky Only 40 more to go