‘Tunguska Minor’ 

Mixed Media-Wood, lath, kiln-burned pine tar, moving blankets, audio track, ink.

Approximately: 12’L x 7’-6”H x 3’-6” W

 2016

This piece is a direct outgrowth of several earlier works: ‘Tom Ridge’, ‘Aloft’, and ‘Beneath Suspicion’. In each of those works the viewer is required to adopt an atypical posture/ physical orientation in order to traverse the architectural limits of the work. ‘TM’ is an abridged version of a larger work currently in design development.

In this work, the viewer is invited to ascend (one at a time) a small staircase set within a kiosk-like structure-which leads to a narrow, partially enclosed viewing niche. Once atop the stair the viewer is then directed to descend sharply at an acute angle in order to glimpse a vignette placed within the body of the structure. The vignette, inclined viewing posture, and exterior materials all contribute to the layered conceptual impact of the work.

The name ‘Tunguska’ comes from a remote region of Siberia in which a mysterious astronomical event occurred in 1908. This event included a massive atmospheric explosion - which yielded an apocalyptic wasteland of over 2000 sq km of leveled forest.  The first explorers to the site (10 yrs after the event) were confounded by both the scale of the devastation and lack of any apparent impact crater; thus leading to a range of speculation regarding the cause of the Event.

For me, this story presents a rich metaphorical / conceptual model, in which one is confronted by a traumatic scene and compelled to trace its ambiguous origin-in my case-a domestic setting- where the expectation of safety and comfort is subverted and turned on its head by a sudden and mysterious descent & impact.

‘Tunguska Minor’ Audio

The audio track that accompanies the installation is referred to (by UAP researchers) as ‘The Halt Tape’. This open-source material was originally recorded by USAF Lt. Col. Charles I. Halt on Dec. 28th 1980 while investigating a real-time incident unfolding in the Rendelsham Forest in Suffolk, England in close proximity to the Joint USAF/RAF Bases of RAF Bentwaters & RAF Woodbridge. These twin bases (unbeknownst to the British & in violation of international treaty) housed active USAF nuclear weapons. At the time of the recording Col. Halt was the Deputy Base Commander under Col. Ted Conrad. This event (which actually took place over three separate nights) is considered to be one of the best-documented accounts of actual UAP phenomenon ever to become available to researchers.

The tape recounts a frantic and desperate attempt by multiple USAF personnel sent within the forest to investigate and document a series of bewildering events being experienced by the joint bases.
This recording of a real-time case of psychological disorientation fits directly into the conceptual mosaic of this work.

Below is a link to the Youtube excerpt from the 'Halt Tape'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KChGKhJ4Ro