January 25-February 19, 2010
Ruffin Gallery, University of Virginia
(Charlottesville, VA)

“Midway” is created from footage and images captured at state and county fairs in Indiana and South Carolina. Multi-channel videos examine the impromptu performances, staged competitions and visceral revelations that attendees experience while riding Carnival rides. Sound for these videos is by Ted Coffey. The show also consists of photographs that document the desolate stages and booths at the peripheries of these fairs.

Final Friday Opening Reception: January 29, 5:30-7:30
Artist Talk: February 17, 5:30 (Campbell 160)

Gallery Hours and Location:
9-5, M-F

179 Culbreth Road
3rd Floor, Ruffin Hall
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA

Gravitron, 2010 (4 minutes)

Included in the show:

- Pharoah’s Fury – 2 channel 9′ x 9′ projections
Opposing projections exploring performance and competition in Pirate Ship rides.

- Gravitron – 2 channel high-definition video
Found choreography by non-dancers as they resist and capitulate to Gravity.

- Feuerball – 4 channel video sculpture
Immersive videos that examine that moment when play and terror intermingle.

- 3 digital photographs taken at the Porter County Fair.

Download Poster/Flyer: aaronhenderson_midway_ruffin.pdf (500KB)

Related posts:

1. The Carnival Project – “Midway”
2. Motive at Ruffin Gallery
3. Carnival Shoot in Valparaiso, IN

After months of planning and preparation, production began on the Carnival Project. The first shoot took place July 27-29, 2009 at the Porter County Fair in Valparaiso, IN. I shot footage of people riding the Feuerball (Fireball) and the Starship Area 51 (also known as the Gravitron). Here are some behind-the-scenes shots of the Fair and stills from the Feuerball.

Learn more about the Carnival Series

Related posts:

1. The Carnival Project – “Midway”
2. Solo Show “Midway” at Ruffin Gallery

About the Project

“Midway” is created from footage and images captured at state and county fairs in Indiana and South Carolina. Multi-channel videos examine the impromptu performances, staged competitions and visceral revelations that attendees experience while riding Carnival rides. Sound for these videos is by Ted Coffey. The show also consists of photographs that document the desolate stages and booths at the peripheries of these fairs.

Work

- Pharoah’s Fury – 2 channel 9′ x 9′ projections
Opposing projections exploring performance and competition in Pirate Ship rides.

- Gravitron – 2 channel high-definition video – 4 minutes
Found choreography by non-dancers as they resist and capitulate to Gravity.

- Feuerball – 4 channel video sculpture
Immersive videos that examine that moment when play and terror intermingle.

- Dora, Spongebob, Spiderman (Digital Inkjet, 24″ x 18″)
- Variety (Digital Inkjet, 24″ x 18″)
- The Power of Youth (Digital Inkjet, 24″ x 18″)

Background

Since I was a kid, I’ve always loved local fairs. There was one every year in Dearborn Heights, pretty close to my parents house—I remember it at only at night—harsh sodium lights casting black shadows, the rumble of car tires as the Gravitron took off, cotton candy wisps, too much perfume and sweat streaked backs. I loved the rides, they were an opportunity to exceed the limits of rationality, especially because getting on one always seemed to involve waiting in long lines watching the rusty parts shudder under the impact of the constant surges of momentum.

Currently, I am working on 4 separate video installations (Feuerball, Gravitron, Pharoah’s Fury, Giant Loop), each focusing on the physical experience of a different ride. I’ve been working with one of the largest Midway operators in the country (North American Midway Entertainment) and they’ve been very supportive, even allowing me to attach my gear directly to the different machines. I’m finished shooting most of the rides, and am beginning editing. I’m planning on finishing these up to premiere in a show I have in Charlottesville early next year.

Here’s an update of the shoot in Indiana – www.aaronhenderson.com/carnival_shoot_valparaiso/

Preparatory drawings:

Related posts:

1. Solo Show “Midway” at Ruffin Gallery
2. Carnival Shoot in Valparaiso, IN