The Space Between was born through the exploration of readily available consumer electronics and their possible use as tools of protest. Initially the project was directed at consumer design and distribution, but as further reflection of the space was considered a more intimate installation began to take form. Building upon the domesticity of PS1, the viewer is invited to sit at an oversized table and converse end to end using morse code. Simple AM transmitters are created by manipulating common consumer products to re-create the first form of airwave transmission, the spark gap. This simplistic yet fundamental concept helps to demonstrate the current complexities of communication. Visually the installation uses found objects to span the gaps between various types of conversational instances including domestic, social, cultural, and political discourse. Allowing the found domestic objects to physically support the table and act as visual references for our understood and perceived histories.
In the foyer is a small FM radio transmitter available for public use. Visitors are invited to transmit their voice or sound expressions over the airwaves through conversations, soapbox speeches, musical performances, readings, etc. The foyer is further equipped with a USB dead drop, an embedded USB for anonymous file sharing.
This installation was developed to intentionally use as little new material as possible. Recycling and repurposing used materials and objects to reduce the artwork’s overall carbon footprint.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Edward Kelley is an artist and educator living and working in Des Moines IA. His practice uses a mixed media approach to address current and historical issues. Recent exhibitions have included the Spartanburg Art Museum in Spartanburg SC and Art League Houston in Houston TX. Edward works as part of the Part per Million collective researching the integration of carbon collection into artistic practice as well as Openair collective researching various methods of carbon collection and their scalability. The PPM collective was recently awarded an Iowa Art catalyst grant for website development. Edward spearheaded and curated the first “Art on Dart” exhibition, turning a Des Moines Area Rapid Transit bus into a mobile art gallery for a two-month period. He is a recipient of a Des Moines Area Public Art Foundation funding grant for his work with Des Moines Area Rapid Transit.
Edward received a BA from the College of Charleston, Charleston, SC, and an MFA in sculpture from Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY. Edward is a faculty member and studio technician in the Department of Art and Design at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.
GALLERY HOURS
229 N. Gilbert gallery hours: Fridays, 4-6p and Saturdays 12-3p
Join the artist for a closing event on Saturday, December 3rd, 6-8pm