Sometimes the most beautiful thing is the thing standing right in front of you.
This is an unfolding artistic exploration of the allure of the VHS tape in the digital era, and the people that love them, most especially Kevin, my partner of 19 years, who is hoarding 2,000 tapes in our basement.
The project began as an attempt to better understand the peculiarities of someone I thought I already fully knew, and it has become a retraining in how to look and listen, how to show up for another human, and a lesson in the way things flourish with intention.
This page will continue to evolve along with the project.
Human interaction is central to this project.
Participate in May 2024 in three ways:
Attend the PNCA MFA Applied Craft + Design Thesis Exhibition
Expensify Gallery // 401 SW 5th Ave. PDX
Opening Reception // Thursday, May 2, 5-9 pm
Public Viewing Hours // 1 pm-5 pm
Sat., May 4 / Sun., May 5 / Sat., May 11
Sun., May 12 / Sat., May 18
Sign up for a 30-minute 1-on-1 conversations with me about the project in the gallery.
This is an opportunity to learn more about my motivations and process, and to dig through the tapes with me, if you like. This is explicitly casual and can also be an open opportunity to talk about anything.
Join visual-only microscreenings of found VHS tapes at Expensify.
All tapes were recorded at home or taped from broadcast TV with commercials. These screenings will turn the sound off to make space for conversation and to allow for easy drop-in and out.
Sat., May 4, 2-3pm: Mix Tape - RIP Kurt Cobain (1994)
Sun., May 5, 2-3pm: Tour de France (1989)
Sat., May 11, 1-3pm: Night Flight 5th Anniversary Special (1986)
Sun., May 12, 4-5pm: Fischer Family Home Movies (1948 - 1982)
Sat., May 18, 2-4pm: Y2K (TV Movie, 1999)
No RSVP needed, just show up!
Download a copy of the zine that accompanies this installation.
Like every other aspect of this project, this will grow and change and the file will be updated along the way!
I made 20 clamshell boxes for the VHS tapes in Kevin’s collection.
This video shows a part of that process.
Attend my thesis presentations for grad school.
MFA Applied Craft + Design Thesis Presentation / Artist Talk
Friday, May 17, 4:30 - 6pm
Pacific Northwest College of Art Mediatheque
511 NW Broadway, Portland
I will present the process of my thesis work Sometimes the most beautiful thing is the thing standing right in front of you., and share what I learned.
MA Critical Studies Thesis Presentation
Sunday, May 12, 1:15 - 2:15pm
Pacific Northwest College of Art Mediatheque
511 NW Broadway, Portland
I will present a separate academic research project. This work introduces and problematizes the trope of the Good White Girl as she appears in the mainstream dance film genre. There will be time for questions from the audience.
