Stage One complete

One day to go until I meet with officials from the City to check me into the Gas Station to begin the installation. I have my list and have been checking it over and over again, hoping that I've not forgotten something.

I've offered visitors to the site the opportunity to buy a T shirt for $12.00 and/or one of a limited edition of one hundred balloons, signed and numbered for five bucks. Having paid for all of this myself was and is my plan. However, the required insurance came in at many times what I'd expected to pay. But, one gets to a certain point and to turn back for financial reasons is just unthinkable.

The kid in the park asked me why I was doing this project. I responded in a too flippant way. Of course, I 'want to' do it. But, also, I really hope that my event and the Studio Tour where the Tropico Group will have artwork up on the Sunday (9/14) following my installation, will create an interest to the point that the City will sponsor individual artists as well as groups, maybe even school kids, and have art in there all the time on a rotating basis. I understand that under the City's aegis that users of the Gas Station will only have to sign a contract that indemnifies it from responsibility should something unexpected happen. My use process was a little more complicated!!

I evicted a bunch of ants and some scary spiders on Friday. I see that one of the spider's kin has set up shop near where the ants were trekking, so maybe he/she'll take care of any remaining ants?

If you are a Glendale resident and want to be heard on the use of City property and City programs, there will be two meetings coming up soon. One is on Thursday, September 11th, the same day I'll deconstruct the gasstationinstallation. It'll be held at Pacific Park Community Center at 7PM. 501 S. Pacific Avenue. Another Community Meeting will be held Wednesday, September 17th at 7PM at Mann Elementary School, 501 East Acacia Avenue. For further information, call Community Development and Housing at 818 548 2060.

Finally, if you'd like to support the gasstationinstallation with a contribution or purchase a T shirt or a limited edtion balloon, please leave a comment here or email me at directortv41@yahoo.com. We'll make a connection.

A plug for Daniel Castle, the balloon guy, is in order. Check his website for bargains on quantity purchases of balloons for just about any occasion. www.balloonwarehouse.com

See you Tuesday or through the week. Contact me at the email address above for a guided tour!

Spiders and cobwebs and ants, oh my

The Gas Station has been sitting empty for ten months, with the exception of a nice display on an easel that depicted some of the history of the neighborhood and a shot of the building when it was functioning as a filling station in the '30s and another of the hearty neighbors who stood shoulder to shoulder to insist that this small part of Glendale history should be preserved.

I went down to the park today and met with Richard Espinoza, my liaison from the Arts and Culture Department, signed a contract with the City assuring them that all is well. Put the City on the insurance policy, so that if terrorists attack, we are covered jointly.. notwithstanding a $2,500 deductible. I spent an hour sweeping out the critters and collected dust. It was a bigger job than I'd thought it would be.

It's neat to be the first artist to have work in that space. It's so simple. Huge windows and two very large doors.

A kid was playing in the park today. He told me that he lives in the apartments directly adjacent to the park. He was nine or ten. I asked him what kind of art he'd like to have in the building. He was a little shy at first and then got totally involved with the idea of putting animals in there! I told him that real animals might be a problem, but if he and his classmates wanted to make sculptures of animals... "wild animals!!" he said.. he was really getting into it!! that we might be able to pull that off.

His dad came over and we discussed the idea a little. There was a bit of a language barrier, but these guys were friendly and if this kid keeps his enthusiasm, then maybe I'll help them do a project in the Gas Station.

This view of the Gas Station is from the side. We'll use the front door there to the left, which opens out, to gain entry and won't use the other door at all, I don't think. Three more days!

Counting Down

I've said before about the art that I've made, that much of it is just in me. The final result of months or years of planning, gathering materials and such is just the last hurrah. I kind of like it that my work is ephemeral. It's not earth shaking, but it does mean something to me and if anyone else gets it, then, it's spread around a little.

Today I learned that I will have to include the City of Glendale on the insurance policy they required me to buy. I learned, too, that the guy who was supposed to have a contract for me to sign to allow me access to the Gas Station was ill on Wednesday. I will probably get to sign it tomorrow, Friday.

It's all part of the art. I am an ocean of calm.

I did find the ideal spot from which to shoot the changes in the installation. It's on Palmer directly in line with the south westerly corner of the Gas Station. If anyone is into time lapse photos / video, that would be my suggestion for location.

Sunlight and entropy

It should take about seven days for the balloons to deflate and burst. Hopefully, the Gas Station will come alive with the transparent balloons and then slowly change. Depending on the ambient light, the building should take on a sort of cloudlike appearance. It's sat empty for so long, I really hope that other artists will have ideas to promote for the space.

I made a proposal to the Arts and Culture Commission to solicit installation ideas and choose a dozen or more artists or groups who would rotate their work in the space for a month or six weeks. Depending on the action of City Council last night, the A and C Commission may be disbanded. Regardless, I hope the City of Glendale will see the value of public art like this and at least make room for it as it does through the Brand Associates at the Brand Galleries. Costs would be minimal and perhaps in conjunction with the Adams Square Library Connection we may have a venue in Adams Hill for new art as well.

Perhaps the idea of a group of Adams Hill Associates who would administer the space or help as volunteers on the model of the Brand Associates might be an idea?

Your comments are welcome.

Bus Experiment

While working with the City of Glendale to arrange to use the Gas Station for this installation, I did experiments with balloons in my VW bus. I found that it takes about a week for average balloons to either burst or dimish with heat and time. The idea is to see the park around the Gas Station and the neighborhood and neighbors through the 2,000 transparent balloons that will completely fill the space.

In about 24 hours the transparent balloons will slowly become opaque, changing the perception of the 1,700 cubic foot space.

The balloons will be illuminated by a single changing light source, adding to the dramatic effect when the sun goes down.

Anyone who would like to inflate balloons may stop by on Tuesday after Ten AM to say hello and take part. Bring water!

Two Thousand Balloons

On Tuesday, September 2, 2008, "gasstationinstallation: entropy" will be installed in the restored 1930s Gas Station in the Adams Square MiniPark at 1022 E. Palmer, Glendale 91205

The 2,000 balloons comprising the installation will de-evolve for nine days and will be removed on Thursday, September 11th.

Check this space for updates and photos. I look forward to seeing you at the Gas Station.

Michael Sheehan