‘Meltdown’

I was on the front lines of the housing crisis in 2008- with a small architecture firm focusing on custom homes in Los Angeles, I saw my business virtually collapse. Millions of families suffered financial and emotional losses- dreams, security, and hope for the future melted away.

My practice has always included  both art and architecture, and with the downturn I spent more time in my art studio. ‘Meltdown’ was one of the first pieces to come out of this period.

‘Meltdown’ began as a series of individual melting houses, but grew into a larger piece. It now comprises several dozen slip-cast houses literally melting onto a field of green ‘lots’, overlaying house plans of various projects I have completed over the years. These ‘Dream Houses’ represent the dashed hopes and aspirations of the many people affected by the downturn. On a wood base, lit from below by an LED panel, the piece glows with an eery, unearthly light. The houses are earthenware finished with white terra sigillata.

Media: Slip-cast earthenware, LED Panel, Paper, Ink, Wood     Dimensions: 24″ x 38″ x 50″     Date: 2008-2010