A New Challenge Every Day

With the upcoming opening the "Dear Jerry" show approaching, we find ourselves with a lot to do before then! The show focuses on Jerry Garcia, front man for The Grateful Dead, and his influence, his art, and the memorial held at the time of his death. I found myself tackling several challenges in the installation of this show...


A House Made of Wood and Paper

With a house frame built in the gallery, my job was to figure out the best way to attach 100'' long paper to the top of the frame. The job included a 12 ft. ladder, and I have quite a fear of heights, and being on ladders. The papers had to line up next to each other with equal spacing and had to hang straight. Easier said than done. Then there was the matter of getting the paper to stick on top of the wood house frame. I tried glue, double sided table, and clamps, but alas the paper would not fully stick. After some debate, we decided a staple gun was the best option and the work moved quickly from there with the work of the other exhibitions interns.

#astrotime

Challenge #2: 12 x 12" piece of AstroTurf, and a a corner with many corners. The challenge: Make the AstroTurf fit in the corner, and cut protective plastic to adhere to the floor and fit underneath the AstroTurf. No problem!
Many measurements, a blister from cutting through fake grass with leather working scissors, and several hours later....

With the exhibition manger's brilliant design, skeleton arms holding red roses were planted in the AstroTurf and wires attached underneath so visitors can sit amongst the graveyard and listen to recordings of people speaking about Jerry Garcia.  Above the grass are framed artworks by Jerry Garcia himself.
Mission accomplished!