Back in the med 1990�s, I was commissioned to design a floor and create for the patron a warm, fun and inviting space that would beckon customers into the space, encouraging conversation between customers and clerk.
Being a Deconstructionist/Re-constructionist artist�I had to really think on this�creating a space that would invite customers to come into the store, just to talk about the floor, and maybe, at that point, buy something, or not�but, to at least come in.
Well, the patron had said he would give me �free-reign� over the images�he would like them all modern, wacky and innovative��Kohl.�
Following an interest, and enthusiasm, for street art, graffiti and comic book art and with a driving passion for primitive images, icons and personal symbols�I came up with a few designs, showed them to the patron, got the �thumbs-up� and went to work on the floor.
I, and another artist friend of mine, went to work on the floor, one warm night, back in April 1994. We closed the store, put up signs��art in progress��and had the best time making art, I�ve ever had. (Was I supposed to have fun? Opps!�). We lost track of time�we spent the better part of 8 hours, using spray can enamels, latex and acrylic paints, with artist brushes, stencils and marker pens. A true mixed media event. We created something that we felt proud of, an installation/performance piece that allows the customer to not only view the Floor Art, put to take, with them, on their shoes, a piece of the floor, thus making the floor age, naturally, with each person, that comes into the site to enjoy a good laugh, an �ah� or to just purchase something, oblivious to the floor and what interaction they have on it.
The Floor Art is designed with the natural deterioration process in mind. Letting the weather, erosion and foot traffic take its toll. The Floor Art was never supposed to look pristine. It was designed to look aged, ancient, weathered and forgotten, ravaged by time and plundered by man. Well, the only way to do that was with letting everyone participate in the deconstructing process of it. Allowing each and every day to have its toll on the floor. Thus changing it from day to day, week to week, month to month and year to year�until the patron no longer wants the Floor Art, and decides to repaint it, thus completing the creative process and bringing and end to the performance/installation.
At last viewing, the Floor Art is still �down� and viewable as of March 2004.
The location of the installation is������������������..
New update...as of 2007...the floor is no longer there, as the store, where it was located, has closed it's doors and moved off site.
Something/Anything Jewelry Gallery
Ghiradelli Square
900 Northpoint
San Francisco, Ca. 94109
