“Everything looks cooler with light through smoke” – my friend Greg

Two weeks ago, I packed up the panels that had been lining my bedroom. I gently gathered them around a large cardboard tub and further protected them with bubble wrap. I threw my pvc pipe corners in a sack with a massive collection of black zip ties. Seven-foot lengths, four-foot lengths, three-foot lengths, and two-foot lengths of pvc…I have always been a sucker for trying to carry everything in one trip. These panels couldn’t possibly be transported from room to car in one trip. I knew the limit. Yes, I tried it anyway. It has always been my way.

My room felt empty with it rolled up. I was excited for what form the project would take that day though, so the emptiness was dismissed.

Habits and rituals of creativity: Turn on music first, for any project’s new beginning. Tunes also needed to mark any turn in the path. Crank the volume to make the nerves feel like dancing. Then prepare the proverbial canvas. Clean before making the mess.

I moved all of the tables and the chairs. I located the lights. I sorted the lengths of pvc pipe and the connectors by similar shape. Then I danced and waited for my friend, Greg.

This wasn’t the first project we have worked on together. I told him once that I wanted a vibe with the energy of Jack White’s Corporation, footage of artists doing their thing, and a sense for the environment of Art Works without directly saying anything. That was pretty much the only direction he was given. He returned with great energy and a product absolutely on point. I knew I could go to him with, “Greg, I don’t totally know what this is going to be, but I am pretty sure we will find it.”

So, he showed up with all his gear, and we knocked it out in a day. He took video of installation, he took pictures of every piece of the panel, and then he said, “Everything looks cooler with light through smoke.” The next thing that followed was obviously a run for lunch and a smoke machine from the party rental shop.

Out of that day, he will make two videos. I will put very little of my voice on his video work, as his voice matters as much as mine. Part of what these panels signify is beyond my ability to get my head clear of nightmares – it is what others see when they are in the space I have made. He will help recreate what it felt like when viewing through my dream lens. He will help others step into it when they cannot actually be in the installation themselves. He will help me tell my story.

I can’t wait to see his perspective on my ideas.

Check out his work…and make sure you contact him for your business film needs, or your creative documentation needs, or your “hey, I have a smoke machine and a light source…what now” needs. He has a brilliant, creative mind. The movies will be available first for patreon subscribers….so get on that!

www.gregoryborman.com

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Why Patreon? Being a working artist means that I am always creating content. I write. I make a lot of mediocre things. I think. My things become a little more average. I dream and I struggle and I find my way through. My things become something special. Creativity requires focus, practice, inspiration, and resources to support that energy. The blog below is entirely free – made of my energy put out into the world. If you value art, artists, and the creative world they make, consider supporting me or another artist who speaks to you through Patreon.