Lantern/Beacon.

This was the second installation of this light sculpture. I hung it in the sixth college building at UCSD--six extension cords were threaded into the building around the central courtyard, bringing power from six different outlets to the six surge protectors at the center of the sculpture. Each of these power strips support 4 to 5 500W halogen work lamps. The total power of this lantern was 30,000 Watts. Over the course of the evening, the lantern slowly melted itself where lamps were turned against each other, and eventually shorted itself out. It was intended to serve as a beacon drawing people to the show.

"Outer Space: Sixth College, UCSD MFA Art Exhibition"
San Diego
3/10/05