An installation at the
Clinton House Artspace, Ithaca NY, January 2002
In this innovative and unique
construction, artist Pete Rush challenges
the viewer by presenting a comprehensive environment—a space in which
to immerse oneself, engage with, and consume. For the artist, the
installation describes universal nesting tendencies, materialistic
escape, and a personal artistic haven. The artist weaves an
environment out of his signature cardboard quilts, fabrics, strings,
and discarded, forgotten materials. The viewer enters into a room
within a room, one that is literally woven together with works of art
and recycled materials. “I
have been playing with the notion of art as my escape, my refuge
from the stressful, maddening world,” says Rush. “This
installation
takes that sense literally by becoming a nest-like womb that is
constructed of the elements of my artwork itself. It is a very
personal expression, but one that I am sure will resonate with a
larger, more universal need inside everyone.” Within the gallery walls Rush has constructed a timber
framed building,
whose walls and ceiling are comprised of framed cardboard quilts mixed
with other strings and materials. One wall features an
interactive
mesh grid, in which the viewer is invited to add his or her own found
material, weaving together a cacophony of materials and expressions in
an ever changing group collaboration, In this way, Life’s discarded
mess thereby turns the artist’s refuge into everyone’s refuge.
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