random thoughts about the META…

The last two days have been fantastic! Opening night was packed and I was getting a great response from people about my piece. There was, as expected, a strong reaction to the number of birds that die each year in the GTA (an estimated 9 million!). Hopefully I've gotten through to a few people about changing their habits in regards to making conscious environmental choices. Little acts like turning off your light switch make all the difference.

I found it strange that children were more likely to "play" with the light switch to reveal the bird impressions than adults. I made an effort to distinguish the switch as part of my piece by illuminating it but many people were hesitant to use it because of the "do not touch" mentality of a gallery.

META website

check out mirror image on the meta website
http://www.metaexhibition.ca/gmoneta.php

real bird imprints

The following is a detailed outline of the test I performed to re-create the effect of a migratory bird colliding with a window.
-remove birds from freezer and let them thaw for two hours
-pin back wings and fan out tail feathers
-wipe plexiglass until surface is clean of fingerprints/dust
-apply a thin film of oil to the plexiglass (works as a clear adhesive)
-cover bird in mix of baby powder and chinchilla dust
-shake off excess powder and hold the bird as if it were in full flight
-press bird firmly against the glass and remove quickly

meeting @ ROM #3

I met with Mark Peck at the ROM this morning.
-I collected five frozen bird specimens of different sizes and species.
-I ran home as quickly as I could to put them in the freezer before they began to smell.
-I have also borrowed three stuffed birds.
-below is a copy of the bird loan form from the ROM

-also below, the educational salvage permit received last week from Canadian Wildlife Service

critique #2

I'm IN THE SHOW!

A few minor changes I'd like to make before the gallery show next month.
1. supports
-the plexi will be suspended from the ceiling with aircraft cable (clean lines)
-currently the chain reflects the lighting and is bulky
-the wooden structure holding up the piece should be "lightened" in appearance
2. light switch
-needs to be fixed to the wall, not hanging beside it
3. processing/arduino/audio
-remove all
-unnecessary and distracts from the work
4. paint
-paint wooden structure grey to hide it against concrete ceiling