Jordana Maisie

Close Encounters 2011

Project description

Close Encounters is a large-scale (6.5m diameter) interactive sculpture, which takes the form of an unidentified flying object (UFO). The curved mirror surface reflects the world around it. The dramatic horizon; lined with trees, the sky and its uninterrupted vastness, as well as the visitors themselves, who love to pick their images out of the reflected crowd as they move under the sculpture.

The installation provokes audience participation through the use of wireless text messaging technology. The audience is invited to text the phone number displayed on the LED marquee (embedded into the circumference of the spaceship), and respond to the "alien's" text based provocations. By responding, the audience enters a dialogue with the anonymous "alien" on the other end of the line. Co-creating a real time narrative as their conversation unfolds.

Raised 3 meters off the ground, from a distance it appears as if a luminous UFO is hovering above the undulating audience, transmitting messages to the crowd as they move through the festival. When walking underneath it, Close Encounters acts as a portal connecting you to the sky and the surrounding natural environment. At night, a shaft of light beats down on the ground as if the aliens are preparing to beam someone up into the craft and take off.

The project was developed through the Splendid program for presentation at Splendour in the Grass music festival 2011. Splendid is a Lismore Regional Gallery project, in partnership with Northern Rivers Performing Arts (NORPA), Splendour in the Grass and funded through the Opportunities for Young and Emerging Artists Initiative (OYEA) of the Australia Council.

Special thanks to Andy McDonell, Jeremy Sparks, Dougal Thompson, Craig Walsh, Carli Leimbach, Brett Adlington, Ashley Dyer, Warringah Plastics, LED Signs, Chameleon, the JUMP Program, CarriageWorks and PACT.