MARA ADAMITZ SCRUPE

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HORNET'S NEST

overall dimensions: 22' wide x 32' long x 12' high

Commissioned by The Longwood Center for the Visual Arts,
Longwood University, Farmville, Virginia
2001



       



Hornet's Nest is a site specific museum installation commissioned by the Longwood Center for the Visual Arts, Longwood University, Farmville, Virginia. The piece is composed of a large (12' high x 10' wide) assemblage of porcelain light fixtures and low-wattage bulbs, fastened to a steel armature, and gathered up and stabilized with tile
mastick and drywall compound.

  

When set, these adhesives form a bond with the porcelain fixtures, which was then stained with iron oxide and graphite and varnished. The nest is mounted and suspended from corners of a constructed, then deconstructed room-in-progress, incompletely built of metal studs and painted drywall within the existing gallery.



A total of 300 porcelain fixtures with incandescent bulbs were used to complete the installation, and are powered by a photovoltaic (solar power) system which was designed and installed inside the gallery, with photovoltaic collectors stationed on the roof of the building. Because the availability of electricity provided by renewable energy sources must be monitored, the installation was automatically timed to illuminate for a four-hour period, between 7-11PM daily.



The installation walls were painted coal blue. The intended effect of the partially built-out room within the existing gallery is to suggest that construction had been suddenly abandoned, allowing nature’s creatures to take over. The idea for this work was generated in part from observing the natural cycle of the deterioration of human industry, in the light of the inexorable industry of plants, animals, insects. Building it helped me continue my research concerning connections between people and the natural environment as well as contributing to the ongoing discourse regarding issues of balance between human relationships with industry, technology, and the environment.