The Shop of Unsolved Ancestry
Mixed Media
8' x 10' x 5'
2017
The Shop of Unsolved Ancestry is an interactive pop-up that engages participants to share, receive, and pass on a piece of their identity. "Record a memory from a family elder"; "Mark the landscape you call home"; or "Ask someone near your to define what is valuable". Participants answer these prompts in writing, on a map, or through a recording device. The exhibit expands upon the conversation of exchange. By creating conversation and offering participants a gift in the form of handmade paper, embedded with a seed, the work lives on physically when the seed is planted, and in the mind when the memory sprouts.
How can the seed be a metaphor for knowledge or experience, and how can that become a form of currency?
Working on this project over 6 months, many changes happened. The first concept is completely shifted, and the third rendition is what remains. Throughout this process, I have come to define Ancestry, not by a cultural tradition or genetic difference, but by the oldest rituals we share. By communicating with each other, and engaging in our landscape, are we able to address the blanks in our
ancestral past to reshape our identity in the present?
More Images and Videos to come!
Exhibited at:
The Old Mint in San Francisco
May 18th-21st 2017
for the SFAI Masters of Fine Arts Exhibition
SubZERO Street Faire, San Jose, California
June 2-3, 2017
The Shop of Unsolved Ancestry at SFAI MFA Exhibition 2017
Each leaf asks a participant to ask someone else- the question, and record their answer. Thus engaging providing a chance to learn about someone near you.
Cork cut into shapes that depict landscapes of our earth. Grasslands, ocean, volcanic, jungle, forests and even plains are some of the option for us to reroute our concepts of identity. Home is not always where you are from, but it is always tied to the land.
There are always things to touch, or find at the Shop, and we welcome all inquiry.
Over 10,000 people came to the event, and many people participated. The most enjoyable part for them seems to be drinking tea.
A short quote or saying from an elder in your family. Storytelling has long guided traditions and rites of passage for many peoples family and heritage. This interaction invites the collective stories to be heard and told.
East Side 6th and Minna Street, San Francisco, California February 23, 2017
By Laurus Myth and the Junction Keepers Eastside on Howard Street at 6th Street, San Francisco, CA
East Side of Howard Street at Minna Street, SF,CA
We would gift a small brocure about safety for bikers, motorists, and pedestrians. We always meet a lot of interesting people too.
The Junction Keep
Wood, LED's and Battery
5' x 25' x 1'
2016
In February 2017, artist Laurus Myth debuted The Junction Keep in response to the rising numbers of pedestrian fatalities in San Francisco. She defines an intersection as a place or point where things join, but also as a space of creation and destruction. Approximately two-thirds of all pedestrian deaths occur after dark. Although the SFMTA has implemented many campaigns to promote safety, none of their projects mention the importance of well-lit pedestrian crossings at night.
The Junction Keep is a mobile public sculpture that brings to attention the most deadly intersections in San Francisco. Designed to be mobile, and run off the grid, a portable battery pack powers the LEDs, while the “Junction Keepers” unfold the sculpture. Similar to a cascading fan, it extends as they proceed through the crosswalk. While the artists walk, they spark conversation with other pedestrians and offer an informative brochure with tips for pedestrian safety. By moving across heavily trafficked areas, The Junction Keep aims to raise safety awareness about the dangers of pedestrian crossing zones to walkers, bikers and motorists.
For future locations and dates, follow on Instagram @JunctionKeepers #thejuntctionkeep
Collecting wishes since November at a local gallery, there are at least 2,000+ this year, and I cannot wait to read them!
Pick a wishstick, write your wish and hang it on Stella!
Being able to read all of the wishes cast before has an interesting effect on how viewers make their own wishes too.
The time it takes a person to generate their wish varies. But most participants engage with themselves deeply for a brief moment and seem to find quiet time to transcribe their thoughts.
The best part about Stella, is her glowing presence. Like a beacon in the dark, her distinct shape made it easy to stay connected to people, and also draw in new wish makers.
The cooperation and collaboration it takes to construct something bigger than yourself truly creates and bonds friendships.
Large projects take a lot of work. For the construction and wood finishing sessions, having more hands is always better. Thanks friends!
After they are written, I collect them, transcribe them, and make audio recordings of the wishes. So many minds and hearts think alike.
"Stella"
The Mobile Wishing Temple
Using found materials, maple ply wood, CNC computer program design, and a team, Stella has recently returned from its second journey to Black Rock Desert. Her purpose is to provide safe passage for people, and their dreams or wishes. Inspired by the Thai “spirit houses”, the belief in shooting stars, and Yoko Ono’s wishing tree, Stella is a mutant vehicle that brings opportunity for wishes, healing and prayer.
This year, I wanted to build a larger project, but realized that I couldn't do it alone as my sciatica has a strong effect on my individual capabilities. With the help of many, this mobile art installation has come to life.
Onsite, we asked participants to make a wish, write it on the stick, put their name and hometown on the back, then affix it to any part of Stella they choose. This continuing project will collect wishes and dreams for the next year, when we will leave them at the Temple at Burning Man to be granted into soot and ash.
Created in 3 weeks by:
LAuruS Myth, Chase and Laura Fortner, and Dr. Noah Djuric
A special Thank You to all the wonderful people who helped to make this project possible. To Laura, as main assist in the design process, carving, ideation, and labor needed for making these panels, and developing the vision until finish. To Chase for being the driving force in getting the materials together and working on lighting and the build crew. To Noah for your endless support, trust in my good work, and nice hand sanding of wishsticks. To Claire and Adam for picking up brushes and whisping stain in a moments notice. To Garrett, Anna, Osheen, Mike and Adam for stepping up during the build onsite. To Jeremy and Kevin for transporting our gem to and from the desert, and all the good vibes in between.
The Fake Sale
White Picket Fence, Vodka. Vegan Cherry pie, Pecan Bars, Snickerdoodles, Handmade Bracelets
Duration: 3 hours
2016
Performed: September 2, 2016
A bake sale where all the treats, snacks, and trinkets are given away. At this pop-up installation, we casually pestered people to come closer, and enjoy some moments over sweets.
Our tagline was:
“Fake Sale! Fake Sale!
nothing for sale here… no charity being raised”.
Rather low attendance at this point. Finding shade, getting our treats ready. Passerbyers really needed to be pulled over, or convinced to come to us. It became a game of cat and mouse.
People started coming over, and once a group would... more would follow. I think the best part was the improve and spontaneity of our event.
White Picket Fence, Vodka. Vegan Cherry pie, Pecan Bars, Snickerdoodles, Handmade Bracelets Duration: 3 hours 2016 Performed: September 2, 2016 The Fake Sale is a bake sale where all the treats, snacks, and trinkets are given away. At this pop-up installation, we had to heckle people to come closer, and enjoy some moments over sweets. Our tagline was: “fake sale! fake sale! nothing for sale here… no charity being raised…”.
Modular Constellation
Plywood, Resin and Wood Tint
4ftx 25ft x 9ft
2015
As spatial solution to a community drift, I created a series of 6 modular tables using sketches created on the computer, to carve a CNC wood mill. Each table had a sponsor who chose what each side of the tables should read. The project established a union across the small community and created a playful space.