Grandma’s house is a multimedia interactive installation that is meant to recreate the feeling of just that- being at grandma’s house. Influenced by both Slavic and Mexican cultural imagery, pattern, artifacts, and tradition, the installation is reflective of my childhood experiences with both of my grandmothers. The element of discovery and exploration drives the segmented nature of the space, having you open drawers, flip tabletops, and look under your own seat.
Take a UV flashlight and explore…
Two vintage sewing cabinets were sculpted on top of with modeling clay and painted to look like a chicken foot, in reference to Baba Yaga’s house.
The buttons that make up this garland were collected by my Grandmother Tamara in Soviet-era Kazakhstan.
The outermost matryoshka Russian nesting doll was repainted to reference Mexican textile colors and patterns.
This “flesh pizza” has a kokhloma inspired pattern of leaves and berries, made out of paper towels, glue, insulation foam, and clay. A wreath of woven pine needles with pearls and beads attached frames the circle, all of which is mounted on a golden plate. The branch of leaves and berries is outlined with the UV paint, and glows green when illuminated.
Shining the light reveals instructions written in UV-activated paint.