Black Velvet Art and the Sensory Overload Chamber

The idea of a black velvet show started, as I remember it, in a drunken conversation at Sindy’s bar.  It turned out that a surprising number of people actually owned a piece of black velvet art.

In a later conversation with Jean, we talked about me actually organizing such a thing.

I tentatively said maybe and started asking around. Another surprising number of people were actually willing to make a piece with a black velvet theme.

Artists included:

Joan of Art, Marc Clements, Terry Durst, Bruce Edwards, Frank Green, Ron Naso, Steven B. Smith, Steve Torkar, Laila Voss, Beth Wolfe, Maria Winiarski, and a number of others who I hope are only slightly miffed that I just can’t remember (for instance there was a late submission of a truly exquisite tall black velvet chair sculpture.)

It should also be noted that this show served as a good backup for Charlotte Pressler’s freaky little ride.

Jay Clements

 

 

 

 

detail from Charlotte Pressler’s installation plans

wooden enclosure, interior 5.5’ long x 2.5’ high x 2.5’ wide
occupant exposed to 5-120 Hz frequencies and -3500 frequencies
at estimated 119 dB in total darkness
duration of exposure depends on occupant who assumes all risk

 

Charlotte Pressler
Sound Installation

Jay Clements curators Black Velvet Art
June 7 – August 11, 1991