Distress

PROJECT ASSIGNMENT: Create a site-specific installation piece absolutely anywhere in the library.

At first I really struggled with this project because it could be absolutely anything, it was so broad. We were asked to reflect on the various reasons people visit the library or the many uses of the library. I find myself only ever visiting the library to escape from the noise and distractions in my dorm. I rarely ever use it to actually get books or do research. So in exploring this observation I headed to the library to study. I found the perfect table, set all of my stuff up and got to work. But was quickly distracted by the loud conversations going on around me, it was so distracting that I actually had to move around to three different floors before I could find a nice quiet, peaceful spot. That's how my idea came to me, I wanted to create and "escape" within the escape I call the library. I was able to get ahold of some old journals of vacuum technology that were getting thrown out. I tore out 856 pages out of these books and attached them to 9 foot fishing line. I made 40 of these strands. I hung each strand from the library ceiling around a desk to completely enclose it. The escape is easily entered by just pulling the strands aside. If each page used were to represent an hour of studying (856 hours, that would be the amount of hours that "should" be spent studying for two whole quarters. I crumpled the pages to represent the stress and anxiety that comes along with studying to pass that test or write that paper. I got some reactions that it was a peaceful place to enter because its like you're in your own little world and others said it was just too overwhelming because of all the suspended paper. I am so proud of this piece and it was so successful. I definitely want to explore installations more because of this piece.