Hi, all!

I wanted to reach out to the group that worked on the Flock Houses to see if there was any interest in being interviewed about the project?  While I was only around for the design and construction process here and there, one thing that I did do is take several audio recordings during the install day at the Bemis.  My intention is to make a sound piece during my residency at the Bemis location, collaging the material that I have already recorded with new recordings that I will make during my stay.  I want the final piece to be a documentation of the project, and I really think interviews with those involved would enrich that!

Neil

I was happy to be interviewed by Neil about my Flock House experience. I was also eager to return to the Flock House in Old Market and participate as a guest in Neil’s residency.

Bringing electric power through window of Okada building.

When I approached at 3 pm on July 27, 2014, I saw Alex feeding electric power to the Flock House for Neil to use for his sound equipment. Later I spoke with Neil about the unfinished structure. It is not yet self-sustaining, with its own electric power, water supply and sanitation. Perhaps this was overly ambitious. Planning, preparing materials and assembling two Flock House Omaha structures was an enormous undertaking. I began to focus on its value as a structure. A sculptural composition of triangles. A shelter to house a series of residencies.

Neil positions the recorder on a tripod, then attached a wind sock.

As Neil set up the sound recorder and microphones, I sat in a chair looking at the walls.  First, I noticed that someone finished painting the wood trim to the triangular doors. I remembered starting this small painting project, working until we locked the doors in darkening light. I remembered my hands working the stain into the trim with the brush. I thought of other hands continuing the following day. I like the idea of an open process, where one person can work, and another pick up the task later to continue. Much is accomplished if many do even a little.

As my eyes scanned the walls, I realized that my brain was organizing the triangles into shapes. Two triangles connected along their base made a diamond. Six triangles joined at the apex formed a hexagon. In this unique structure there are no 90° angles. No rectangles or squares. Only triangles, diagonals, and walls at strange angles to the floor. It was stimulating and even comfortable. I wondered how this environment might undergird creative work we would undertake here.

As I answered Neil’s questions, I began to look forward to spending more time in this space.  It did not feel incomplete or imperfect because of what was missing from the original plan. It felt just right. Even powerful.