I create glowing, jellied scale models of urban sites, transforming ordinary physical surroundings into something unexpected and ephemeral. Lit from below, the molded shapes of the city blur into a jewel-like mosaic of luminous color and volume. The gelatinous material also evokes uncanny parallels with the geological uncertainties of San Francisco’s landscape. While the translucent beauty of the compositions first seduces the viewer, their fragility quickly becomes a metaphor for the transitory nature of human artifacts.

I have always been interested in architectural scale models of cities, and how photography can play with the viewer’s sense of scale, blurring differences between the real city and the constructed one. Once I began building my own model cities out of Jell-O I found that the jiggly, iconic childhood dessert is not only perishable, but also uncontrollable. Each time I take a picture of one of my cityscapes any building may begin to sweat or even liquefy, taking on a new persona.

My constructions often exist only in my studio; however, I occasionally create Jell-O installations, which people can experience directly. While the photographs evoke strange imaginary landscapes, the installations themselves introduce a more physical experience for the viewer involving smell, movement, and the desire to taste. The sculptures eventually decay, leaving the photographs and videos as the only record of their existence.

Printable PDF Statement

Molds and Models Statement