Would you take a survey about the Artwork? Click this Link: “TRANSMOGRIFIER 1: 2025” SURVEY
This is Interactive Artwork inspired by the “Calvin & Hobbes” Comic by Bill Watterson.
My childhood was greatly influenced by these comic strips. I learned as an adult that the characters were inspired by the philosophies of John Calvin and Thomas Hobbes. I love that there is incredible depth and hidden meaning in such simple, fun frivolity as the comics show.
The Artwork is composed of a Nubian Pyramid shaped frame made of copper pipe with a top-piece made of cast epoxy resin, metals, and minerals. A bench seat is placed in the pyramid frame on a felt rug featuring a tiger stripe print. A red and black braided cord encloses the frame and a black tasseled cord marks the entry. A sign is posted out front on a freestanding holder made of cast epoxy resin, metal, and minerals. Facing out, the sign identifies the “Transmogrifier”. The sign facing the user gives directions for operation.
The color scheme conveys the blonde hair, red and black outfit, and white shoes of the young Calvin in the cartoon strip. The Tiger stripe rug represents his stuffed tiger friend, Hobbes. In the comic strip Calvin makes his Transmogrifier from a cardboard box to transform himself into something else. This is my modern take on the device. Perhaps it can help us transform ourselves.
Do you know about the “Calvin & Hobbes” Comic? An excellent overview can be found at Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calvin_and_Hobbes.
Click on the images below to see larger versions.
Specific Material List: PYRAMID FRAME: Copper pipe, Lead free flux, Solder; Copper wire; PYRAMID CAP: Low VOX epoxy resin; Shavings of Bismuth, Copper, Brass, and Aluminum; Glitter of 24kt edible Gold; Crystals of Selenite, Barite (gathered in Colorado), and White Quartz (gathered in Arkansas); Cast metal turtle totem; SIGN: Plastic, Metal rods; SIGN BASE: Copper pipe, Copper wire, Miscellaneous Quartz and Stones gathered while traveling, Cast metal turtle totem, Glitter Stars, Glitter of 24kt edible Gold, Laminated paper and cardstock with printer ink.
