MINDFUL CURRENTS (close-up section)
Large jellyfish constructed from clear umbrellas covered in bubble wrap, fabric, paint, and ribbon. Small jellyfish constructed from plastic cones, bubble wrap, paint, small lights and fiber-optics move up and down attached to wired spools. Coral is made from expanding foam spray-painted with fluorescent colors. The back is draped with fabric. Everything shines from colored and UV lights.
April 6 – April 19, 2025
MINDFUL CURRENTS
"Monica Rickler Marks’ Window Dressing installation, Mindful Currents, is designed to invoke a sense of calm and wonder in an otherwise chaotic world. Expanded from a previous and much smaller installation of the same name, originally installed in The Closet at Shoebox Projects, Mindful Currents uses abstracted jellyfish sculptures hanging from automated pully mechanisms to transform the entire gallery window into a giant replica of a jellyfish aquarium. Created by combining 3D-printed forms with iridescent umbrellas, the jellyfish-like sculptures will slowly move up and down as if floating in water. Hidden fans within the space will gently sway the creatures’ tendrils, further adding to the sense that they are drifting in liquid currents. Electroluminescent wire, LED light strips, fiber optics, as well as UV-reflective elements that glow in the black lights carefully installed throughout the space complete the surreal and otherworldly effect. With the world in so much turmoil, not to mention the stress of classes, the responsibilities of familial obligations, and the strain of personal anxieties, Mindful Currents provides a brief moment of respite for Cerritos College’s weary students and visitors alike; so sit back, relax, and get lost in its peaceful undulations."
- The Cerritos College Website
Mindful Currents: A Window into Serenity
In our fast-paced, hyper-connected world, moments of calm have become precious commodities. "Mindful Currents 2" is an immersive installation that transforms a large window into a mesmerizing jellyfish aquarium, inviting viewers to pause and reconnect with the soothing rhythms of nature.
Crafting Calm in Chaos
This installation harnesses the hypnotic grace of jellyfish to create a meditative oasis in the heart of urban life. Meticulously crafted jellyfish, suspended from unseen mechanisms, undulate gently in a choreographed dance that mimics the natural movements of these ethereal creatures. Their translucent forms, enhanced by strategic lighting and blacklight effects, cast an otherworldly glow that captivates and calms.
The Ebb and Flow of Light and Motion
Layered projections add depth and dynamism to the scene, simulating the play of light through water and the gentle currents of the ocean. This interplay of light, shadow, and motion creates a living tableau that evolves throughout the day and night, offering an ever-changing yet consistently tranquil experience.
A Moment of Reflection
"Mindful Currents" serves as more than mere spectacle; it is an invitation to mindfulness. In the reflected surface of the window, viewers may catch glimpses of themselves superimposed on this aquatic world, blurring the lines between observer and observed. This subtle integration encourages a moment of introspection and a brief escape from the relentless pace of modern life.
Through this installation, I aim to create a pocket of peace in the public sphere, reminding us of the restorative power of nature and the importance of finding moments of stillness in our daily lives. "Mindful Currents" is not just an artwork; it's a gentle intervention, offering a brief but meaningful respite from the chaos of our world.
IMAGES FROM THE MINDFUL CURRENTS CLOSET INSTALLATION
