"Amplifier"
is a large scale collaborative installation, utilizing group manifestation as a tool to inspire our community to envision a bright future, open dialogue around what we can change in the present, and build faith in our mutual hopes for good.
Amplifier is a large free-standing rabbit head, which is to be entered from between the ears. The head opens to a small room covered in a mosaic of mirrored tiles, featuring a large alter. At this alter, guests are guided through a meditative thought exercise and are encouraged to write their wish for the future on a slip of paper which they will then tie to one of the many paper chains extending from the piece. The paper chains will extend up and out of the sculpture, slowly growing in size as the work is added to by individual people.
Amplifier will work as an inverted magnifying glass where we, the community, are the sun, and together our concentrated vision of the future will beam into the world around us.
Amplifier’s 2023 show with the Oregon Fringe Festival featured a performance aspect, where 20 strangers were gathered to have dinner together and discuss the future.
Guests were introduced to each other through a set of handmade question cards, and after developing connections with the people they sat near, the guests were encouraged to discuss what they think the future will be like, and how they think we can get there. They were encouraged to try to think positively, as the sculpture was designed to amplify their visions into the world. Guests were also given a blank card and envelope and were instructed to take some time over the course of the next few days to write a letter to their future self.
“It’s the ultimate test of the project’s thesis: As different as any collection of people may be, we all want to see a better, brighter future.”
Photos by Eric Janoski r.ee/imgenericeric