sideways circus
wood, metal, wire, textiles, paint; actuators & mechanics sourced from thrift store toys, electronics by Rob Cruickshank. Circus ring approximately 4’ x 3’ oval. Figures approximately 5” tall 2006
Commissioned by Sally McKay for Digifest 06 Mods & Rockers as a collaboration between Rob Cruickshank and myself. The concept was to reveal repurposed toys slaving away ‘behind the scenes’ to actuate the circus performers in the ring. Individual circus performers could be activated briefly by pressing sensors: their actions and aesthetic clumsy and erratic as if it was a decrepit midway attraction. We decided to turn it all sideways to suit the side by side vitrines, and to add to the wonkiness. Also a nod to Calder’s Circus.