Wood, foam, satellite dishes, vcr players, cables, video, 2009
This artwork delves into my ongoing fascination with the power and imperfection of memory. As a child, like many others, I believed I possessed extraordinary abilities—flying, holding my breath indefinitely, running with superhuman speed, and other fantastical feats. These beliefs felt real, yet as we grow, we suppress such notions to align with societal norms.
Inspired by the magnetic allure of superpowers as depicted in comics and films, I began to wonder: what if these abilities were stored in the magnetic properties of old VHS tapes? VHS tapes, after all, preserve images and memories through magnetic tape.
To explore this idea, I constructed a condensing chamber lined with reflective aluminum on the interior and encased in a protective foam exterior. I reached out to my father, asking him to send any childhood VHS tapes he could find. I received three, which I chose not to view before “experiencing” them through the chamber.
The setup involved three satellite dishes connected to three VCRs via coaxial cables. The VCRs played the tapes on a loop, ensuring continuous playback by automatically rewinding one tape while the others played. The satellite dishes, pointed directly at the chamber, transmitted the magnetic energy toward me. I documented this immersive process with over 48 hours of video footage.
For three days, I lived within the chamber, equipped with only the essentials—food, water, and basic toiletries. After emerging, I returned home without incident but with a renewed sense of curiosity. Since then, I have committed to daily documentation of my experiences, eagerly awaiting any developments that might reveal themselves.
