Whale Watch, installation images from solo exhibition at Adobe Books Parlor, September 30–November 6, 2010
Materials:
Desk: Found desk, telescopes, television, binoculars, magnifying glasses, journals, books, lamp, chair, paper, ruler, pencils, all covered with gesso or acrylic medium, then drawn to represent a research material or tool.
Whale Watch was an additional project in the windows of the Adobe Books Parlor, and was part of Understanding A Whale Fall. As a visual and participatory project, Whale Watch echoed the act of searching and orienting present in the process of Understanding A Whale Fall by concentrating on the act of observing. By bringing a focus onto the surrounding neighborhood, Whale Watch wove aspects of the current environment and local history with the broader investigations conveyed in the backroom.
Visitors were invited to account for their own experience and expertise in the form of records- their historical knowledge, personal narratives, book passages, advice, recommendations, recipes, hikes, etc.- in logbooks located in the bookstore shelves. Through a 'wanted' sign on displayed in the front window, this participation was invited from observers, watchers, and researchers of all kinds.
Related:
Whale Watch Walk, Closing event for Understanding A Whale Fall/Whale Watch at Adobe Books
From A Sub-Sub, by Kara Q. Smith on Artslant
Watching the Act of Watching, by Keith Bowers in SF Weekly
Carrie Hott @ Adobe Books, Fecal Face
Whale Watch- Work by Carrie Hott, Revolver SF
