DESIGN RESEARCH // Digital & Mixed Media
Heretic v04 <moralist swarm> Collage Mixed | 24 x 24 | 2011 TOP 
Another piece in the Heretic series. The piece refers to the large number of people in the US who strongly adhere to a very literal and distinctly American brand of biblical faith. This growing political force frequently votes based on legislating moral behavior to the exclusion (or detriment) of other critical issues.
Emotive Diagram: Engineered Enthusiasm Collage Mixed | 10 x 8 | 2008 TOP
One in a series of diagrams which attempt to visually depict particular moods or states of mind. Engineered Enthusiasm is a response to an extended creative lull and the factors contributing to that creative low point.
Terranism Poster Collage Mixed | 18 x 22 | 2008 TOP
Terranism is a fictional social movement set in the future (I originally developed in 1997). In the 2030 and 2040s there is an increasing backlash against the socially disconnecting nature of virtual technologies. As a result small communities are formed on the outskirts of urban areas, promising a simpler, more natural and agrarian existence that puts close knit relationships and authentic experiences above all else. This image represents the idea more than an actual promotion of the movement.
Compliance Appliance Collage Mixed | 18 x 22 | 2008 TOP
This piece addresses the lengths to which media messages are manipulated to manufacture popular support for a given cause, in this case ongoing war and imperialist motives. These spreads were contributed to Pilcrow, an art & design publication.
Gestus Divinus: Gestures/Icons Digital | variable | 2008 TOP
A series of hand movements developed as part of a proposed gestural interface. The actions are based on an analysis of European religious painting from the medieval period through the Baroque. Each gesture corresponds to a found pose which has a documented meaning. The research revealed an interesting correspondence between computer commands and the divine commands of the religious figures.
The second image is a collection of icons developed as a component of the Gestural Input System. The marks are derived from the various hand poses and could theoretically be used on screen as memory aids for the command gestures. Both sets of images were part of my masters thesis along with the motion piece by the same name.
Gestus Spiritus Collage Mixed | 18 x 22 | 2005TOP
A series of studies which explore various hand movements to use as computer input commands. They are derived from religious gestures taken from medieval and baroque era paintings.
Sacred Input Collage Mixed | 9 x 16 | 2005 TOP
A series of sketches combining aspects of religious gesture with digital controls. These were very early studies related to what eventually became my graduate thesis project.
Heretic v03 <command save> Silkscreen | 12 x 12 | 2005TOP
Inspired by the thesis development process—the concept of gesture as a means of command input—this piece utilizes the COMMAND and SAVE gestures as well as their accompanying icons and text abbreviations.
Heretic v02 <code cleric> Silkscreen | 13 x 22 | 2005 TOP
Another piece in the Heretic series. The code cleric is the contempory transcriber of knowlege and mediator of experience via contemporary media channels. Code is the new meta-language, the new protocol; it is capable of manipulating digital networks and imposing social control.
Heretic v01 <sinister + dexter> Silkscreen | 9 x 16 | 2005 TOP
The first of the Heretic Series, which uses spell casting as a metaphor for code manipulation. The underlying suggestion is that the enactment of a gesture contains a spiritual, god-like power capable of affecting human endeavors.
Persuasion Relic v01 {Mobile Multiplicities} Mixed Media | 30 x 20 | 2005 TOP
A map defining the relationship between my daily travel and the physical data entry points encountered at specific locations. The data enters the network in various ways and is cataloged and connected by numerous databases. This data is compiled and distilled to reveal habits, patterns and interests. What does this other "identity" formed by the data look like?
The Influencing Machine <2> Etching Print | 11 x 13 | 2005TOP
Based on the Viktor Tausk essay by the same name, The Influencing Machine looks at the tendency in some schizophrenics to believe that some outside force, often a machine, is controlling or interfering in their lives. This could be viewed as an analogy to our current digitally networked existence.
Pleasure Symbols Various Media | Various Scales| 2004TOP
The Pleasure Symbols are the result of refining hand drawn forms and found photos that reinforce the word pleasure. From pleasure, 4 sub-words were extracted: soft, wish, frenetic and pain. It is with these words that sets of drawings were made, then formed into icons, which were then merged and combined, to create new representations of pleasure.
The Sincere Sin-seer Silkscreen | 20 x 28 | 2004TOP
Inspired by religious scripture and the concept of Christian logos; the word of God. The piece is closely associated with pre-literate Europe and the implicit power of the spoken word. An important subtext of the work makes reference to papal indulgences, the paid absolution of sin, a common practice in Renaissance-era Italy.
Grammar Glamour Silkscreen | 21 x 9.5 | 2004TOP
A scroll-like print that symbolically bridges oral and written culture. The scroll was a vehicle for delivering the power of the word in both its spoken and written form; a conveyer of grammar. It was believed that speaking well or ill of someone could have real, physical consequences; a prayer, the repetition of which is incantation. Script, and its references to scripture, as well as cursive and it’s references to continuous flow, are strongly referenced as the written equivalent to the spoken word: unbroken, continuous, flowing.