#nomadicsculpture

[alisha-sullivan-blog]

She's baaaaack...... #nomadicsculpture #forttheory #publicsculptire #temporaryart #pdx #sabinpicnic

[alisha-sullivan-blog]

Time to take it down... #mfatimes #appliedcraftanddesign #mixedmessagesacd #acd #nomadicsculpture #art (at Pnca Mfa Applied Craft & Design At The Bison Building)

[alisha-sullivan-blog]

Drawings from my show- the sculpture in a specific moment. #nomadicsculpture #mfatimes #mixedmessagesacd #art #pdx

[alisha-sullivan-blog]

It's happening! May 24th, come see my show at the Bison Building. #mixedmessagesacd #nomadicsculpture #art #pdx #installationshot

[alisha-sullivan-blog]

One of the images from last night at the Bluffs with my interactive inflatable sculpture! #nomadicsculpture #mfatimes #skidmorebluffs #publicart #mfaacd #mixedmessages #pdx #spring #art #nofilter #love

[alisha-sullivan-blog]

#nomadicsculpture #travellingunflatable #art #mfatimes #mfaacd #alishasullivanart #inflatablespace (at Yoga Union)

[alishasullivanmfaresearch-blog]

Nomadic Sculpture

"Nomadic: roaming about from place to place aimlessly, frequently, or without a fixed pattern of movement" (Miriam Webster Dictionary) 

This project is an interactive, nomadic sculpture. Above are test photos of the sculpture itself or variations on it being tested out and about, both in Portland and in Marfa, Texas. 

I want to address the word nomadic because of its layered and often charged or romanticized meaning, and because of my choice to use this word rather than another word like traveling or roaming.  As it informs my sculptural object, I am drawing from the above definition of the word nomadic. The placement of this sculpture is completely opportunistic. I will take it and put it where I can frequently, and in varied settings so that I can understand the reaction to the piece from various perspectives. The piece has the ability to function in many different sites and react specifically according to where it is placed and who engages with it. 

The word nomadic has been used in the lexicon of inflatables and utopian ideas since the 60s, and recently has had a resurgence of popularity. As I have written about in the past, I believe the inflatable space or object represents a failed utopian future vision. Within solution based conversations, inflatable solutions are always on the table but they rarely ever work, rather, they galvanize other ideas and serve as a jumping off point. This piece explores that tension by creating a space or environment with the most minimal gesture possible, and allowing for it to actively become completely dependent on either the surrounding environment or participants who are willing to activate it. 

The word nomadic also acts as an anti-institutional commentary. As a nomadic sculpture, this piece is affiliated solely with me, as the artist. A major part of this work is to create a deinstitutionalized, primary experience for participants in an unexpected setting. 

[alisha-sullivan-blog]

One more from Texas. The square on the right is one of my traveling inflatable sculptures. #marfa #elcosmico #nomadicsculpture #art