Justin Cooper: Vay Kay July 30, 2009

MCA wraps up 'Here/Not There,' a five week series of multidisciplinary performances. Justin Cooper presents a four-part performance series themed around family vacations. 'Crater' is an interactive sound installation that deconstructs an argument Cooper had with his family on a childhood vacation. A dialogue recorded by four actors representing Cooper, his parents, and sister, is broadcast in the gallery, controlled by four invisible laser beams. When a gallery visitor breaks a laser beam, that family member's argument is triggered. With multiple viewers moving through the space, the vocal laser beams are activated at random intervals creating a fragmented cacophony that speaks to the way in which memory fragments past experiences. An overhead video camera captures visitor reactions and plays in the gallery each subsequent day. 'Sprinkle' is an interactive performance that utilizes four lawn sprinklers on the MCA Plaza. Cooper re-creates a water-free sprinkler installation in the gallery the following day. 'Relax,' a sound installation, plays ambient ocean sounds interspersed with the sounds of unknown creatures in the gallery and MCA Store. 'Crumple' takes place in the MCA Sculpture Garden and presents a piece of Astroturf fitted with wire armatures that is "crumpled" like a piece of paper throughout the day.