eye lounge

this book is a map 5"x9" solvent transfer, tracing paper, thread, wire, staples, plastic Pages are solvent transfers of notated branching thought-how one thought leads into others, patterns created from that branching and photocopies of studies done in materials with branching qualities such as mud, fiber, wire and cement. 2004

Fractured Thought interactive installation fragile cement tiles, inkjet prints on newsprint (original drawings pen on vellum), string (if there's room, include this description): Visitors walked on a path of fragile cement tiles that fracture under their feet. Surrounding the path were more than 50 tracings and diagrams of mapped thought, broken glass and other branching and connected patterns. The piece was documented over time to show the breakdown and weathering of all the materials. 2005

Jennifer Urso

In my work I investigate materials and thoughts that seem like waste and question why these are determined unnecessary. I believe the thrown away materials and ideas are what become the rudimentary parts to build into something greater. Every bit of dust and dirt collects, compresses and forms something stable used to build. Scattered thoughts and impressions build over time to create choices and a direction in our lives.

Thought Rubble performance and on-site installation on-site rubble, paper, thread After locating an accessible site I gather rubble and write current thoughts onto pieces of paper that are then tied to the rubble and used to create a pile. Each piece of paper has string tied to it with large knots at each end. The pile of rubble becomes the disjointed thoughts and impressions tied to them.The pile is left behind, inevitably to be knocked down, thrown away or dispersed. 2006

By collecting or putting together materials that seem unnecessary, I call attention to what they're potential may be or what they symbolize in a life of use and disuse. Creating an environment where people either participate or witness a moment of building or breakdown provides a sped-up version of the processes that they personally experience. The materials are ordinary and familiar - dirt, string, thoughts/words. Gathering these scattered bits and rearranging it into a temporary stable structure, helps make each day sensible and meaningful. I also compare what appears to be a state of disorder as being a state of great stability by diagramming moments like conversation, stream of consciousness, piles of rubble, cracked patterns in mud.

This flips our perception of a chaotic moment in a personal situation as being the necessary breakthrough to clarity and mental housecleaning. Of course, the momentary organization isn't meant to last since it only holds value for immediate needs.

In the future, parts of our logic will be broken down and used in fragments again. The identity of the material structures surrounding us, and ourselves, will constantly be in a state of change.