Quench thirst
Carnival panache
Bottled drinks
Not anywhere near a significant body of water, a carnival midway amusement lighthouse forfeits its navigational purpose.
“A lighthouse is for others; powerless to illuminate the space closest to it.” – M.L. Steadman
Temporal coincidence
Hallucinatory character
Central entrance approach
Things become vaguely illusory in the carnival twilight. Key emotional related structures of the brain are sparked during active dreaming, when memories are fused and blended together in abstract and novel ways. During durational dreaming, vast swaths of acquired knowledge cogitate to extract overarching commonalties, divining elucidations to previously impenetrable conundrums.
Living on a lighted stage, approaches the unreal, for those who think and feel, in touch with some reality, beyond the gilded cage.” – Neil Peart
Loop repeat
Segments of random
Sensory attack
The point of track division is unclear, as moments in space and time are arbitrary departures.
“I didn’t realize it: it was just so funny the voice saying, ‘number nine’; it was like a joke, bringing number nine into it all the time, that’s all it was.” – John Lennon
Ideal spectator
Operation quotient
Actions motivated
Build it and they will come only provisionally. As the transitory carnival is mostly void of patrons, the bored carnies look on with disappointment.
“This decision is reached in the moment of a glance, for the maneuvers that follow, however stealthily that moment is prolonged in them, add nothing to it, no more than their deferral of the opportunity in the second scene disrupts the unity of that moment.” – Jacques Lacan
Floodlit time
Conduct charges
Out of touch
The carnival provides a rich visual environment, especially as night falls on the exuberant festivities. Operating as an observer, the artist follows an extraordinary agenda during event encounters.
“Surrounded by this shallow, glossy society we develop a shallow side, too, and we become attracted to fluff.” – Joni Mitchell
Real property
Elevated railroad track
Permanent appendage
Large colorful artificial flowers attempt to create a vibrant environment, increasing the desirability of riding the carnival rails.
“I got my heart’s desire, and there my troubles began.” – Lev Grossman
Come forward
Gather around
Be the proud owner
Welcome to the carnival. In the guise of garish entertainment, the traveling business of creating artificial desire is adversely affected by the threat of inclement weather.
“If not completely satisfied, mail back unused portion of product for complete refund of price of purchase, please allow thirty days for delivery, don’t be fooled by cheap imitations.” – Tom Waits
Woven canvas stripes
Stretched tenaciously
Planar frame
Frames are subject to loads and reactions, sometimes disclosed in the form of electromagnetic radiation.
“There is a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in.” – Leonard Cohen
Relax suspended
Unassuming way
Hanging out
Similar but not quite the same, every year the identical midway rides are reconfigured into different spatial relationships. Experiments in arrangement consider the subject from as many angles as possible, supported by an resolute energy of execution.
“Not everyone is going to like every carnival ride.” – Matthea Harvey
Cold beer
Easy access
Fair iteration
See and be seen. Copious amounts of bland beer offered at inflated prices remains a popular attraction at certain outdoor summer festivals.
“One reason why I don’t drink is because I wish to know when I am having a good time.” – Nancy Witcher Astor Viscountess