'Liar Liar (Pants On Fire)' is a multimedia series featuring art prints and video art that can resonate differently with each viewer. For me, this series focuses on time and the ephemeral nature of all things. As video is a time-based medium, these singular moments are able to exist forever in the present not only due to the nature of the medium, but also due to the direction of the fire: moving forward, and in reverse. Similarly, the art prints displayed in a gallery setting allow the viewer to choose in which way the curtains burn.
Working with a fire spinner to achieve control over the fire for this installation, even the creation process involved a focus on time. As described with video component 'Made In Yugoslavia,' everything repeats – reverts – nothing truly changes.
Installation
Initially created for self-produced and curated 'TransFIREmation Gallery Show' held at Massachusetts College of Art & Design, this piece transcends time. See additional documentation of the creation process, as well as the show exhibition and reception.
This piece "Liar Liar, Pants On Fire" shows the progressive burning - and reformation - of red jeans. The transformation of the pants due to fire, and the transformation of fire as it ravages the pants, shows the ephemeral nature of all things; no pair of pants will ever burn the exact same way. However, as video is a time-based medium, this single moment is able to exist forever in the present.
Explosions In The Sky song 'Yasmin The Light' remixed and timed to the visuals for this non-looping version.
This short "Made In Yugoslavia" shows plastic flowers burning, the plastic melting off the wax stems - all atop a broken chair made in Yugoslavia. The fire appears to burn in reverse, expressing the idea that everything repeats, reverts - nothing truly changes.
The music for this non-looping version of 'Made In Yugoslavia' is a remix of Bach's 'Air on G-String,' a violin solo.
This piece "A Study In Blue Jeans" involves a pair of jeans burning on a clothesline. The transformation of pants due to the fire, and transformation of fire as it destroys the pants, shows the ephemeral nature of things; no pair of pants will ever burn the same way.
Múm song 'Scratched Bicycle/Smell Memory' from album 'The Peel Session' was reversed to accompany this non-looping version.
