"Streaming"

This work is an interpretation of the cyclical wave interference maxima that is an elemental aspect in moving flows of many types such as streams of water, electrons and air. It was inspired by Gary Snyder's book of poetry, "Mountains and Rivers Without End" as well as numerous treks through California wilderness. It is a sixteen-foot long thirty-inch diameter tube of acrylic plastic filled with real fog created by a high-pressure water pump. It is trans-illuminated by nine computer controlled slide projectors with mirrors and other optics. The appearance may be described as moving extruded light forms. The soundtrack is played by two independent non-synchronous sound systems. The soundtrack was created by Don Seaver. The photographs were created from digital graphics, acrylic paintings and scientific waveform data. The work is twenty feet long by four feet wide by six feet high. Thanks to Tristan, Lazlo and Kathleen. Price on request.

"Ether Alter"

This is a continually changing thirty-minute cycle of imagery that dis/honors the styles of various twentieth century American artists and explores the boundaries between two and three dimensions. An eight foot wide by eight foot high by four foot deep acrylic box filled with ethanol-based smoke is trans-illuminated with nine computer controlled slide projectors. Inspired by ancient Tibetan concepts, a white faux fur rug and purple pillows define the sacred space where worshipers kneel in front of the alter/altar for a moment of spiritual contemplation. Flowers, electronic circuit boards, and melted bacterial Petri plates are scattered around the rugs as an offering to the Gods of Art. Two four foot wide strips of Mylar and four eight inch wide chart recording paper stretch from the floor in front of the Alter to the ceiling forty feet above. This is a new version of the Ether Chamber presented at The Lab in 1998. An original soundtrack was created by recording the artist masturbating and then completely reinterpreted with digital techniques as an ambient bass sonic element by composer and musician, Don Seaver. The total dimensions of the work are eight feet wide by sixteen feet deep by forty feet high. Production assistants were Tristan Crane and William Walantus. Price on request.

"Chroma Refraction"

This is a study of color refracted by six thousand Petri dishes salvaged from a biology research laboratory. The thirty-five millimeter plates are hung in strings of sixty about one foot from a white wall and illuminated with three projectors contained in a silver polycarbonate cylinder four feet high. The color slides were created with computer graphic technology. A significant portion of the continually cycling piece is devoted to a study of red. In addition to the reference to color field painting and the fractionation of life in 2001 this work pays homage to the enormity of research experimentation, i.e. there is a tremendous quantity of effort expended to learn each little bit of knowledge. The work is ten feet wide by eight feet high by twelve feet deep. Many people contributed to the production of this work. Not for sale.

"Science Totem 1"

The pervasiveness and beauty of imagery in science is presented in a form intended to honor the discipline of scientific research. This is an eight-foot tall fourteen-inch diameter cylinder covered with a collage made with journal mastheads and cover photos from science research journals. There is a very wide range of imagery from all types of science. Tristan Crane was the production assistant. $1000.

"Science Totem 2"

This is an eight-foot tall fourteen-inch diameter cylinder covered with a collage made from discarded radiographic films from biology research labs. It is trans-illuminated from within. The films are from experiments that sequenced DNA, screened for specific DNA in bacterial colonies, tested molecules for their identity with antibodies and tested molecules for their molecular weight. $2500

"Test Tube Genetics"

This is a test tube rack filled with test tubes. Some of the tubes are filled with undulating cylinders created with colored test tube tops. Botanical diversity inspired the various color combinations. The patterns refer to the variety and precision of genetic expression. The wood base is twenty by twelve inches and the overall dimension is about thirty inches wide by twenty-four inches deep by twenty inches high. $750.

"Prayer Flags"

This is a personal interpretation of the traditional Tibetan prayer flags. There are fourteen flags in red, yellow, blue, white and purple. They are thirteen inches wide and from sixteen to thirty-six inches long. The total length is about eighteen feet. Computer graphics software was used to prepare text enclosed within a graphic border that was then transferred to dyed fabric. The text consists of poems. Each flag presents a poem by a different poet that has particular significance for the artist who identifies as a gay/queer man. $750.

"Saint Rubidium 5C"

This is a portrait of Saint Rubidium employing computer graphics and circuit board technology presented as a light box. It is ten inches square by four inches deep. Thanks to Ken McGary for advice. $500.

"Green Rubidium"

This is a portrait of Saint Rubidium employing computer graphics and circuit board technology suspended in a wreath of Manzanita branches supported by an I-beam and barbed wire base. This is a 2001 version of an image with a legacy from pre-historic times. The Green Man has been described as the archetype of our oneness with the Earth. The piece is six feet wide by four feet deep by six feet tall. Thanks to Erik Rotman for Green Man information. $3000.

"Baby Fairy Wings"

This is a microscopic collage on a one inch by three inch glass slide made with human blood, copper sulfate and drosophila melanogaster wings. It is viewed with a 20X objective lens on a light microscope. It refers to the basic elements of life and geology and the beginnings and completion of biological structure designed for traversing the atmosphere. It is an exploration of micro media and utilizing imagery from science for expressing human concepts. $500. (microscope is not included)

"Meditation"

Breathing in life, hearing smiles—a queer vision of light, pattern and form for contemplation. An image of the World Trade Center towers was left in the work with the realization that the meaning has drastically altered since the tragedy of September 11th. The presentation at SomArts was dedicated to the memory of those who died and the hope for peace.This is a six-projector work made in 1994 accompanied by music titled "Meditation" from "Thais" by Massenet (Budapest Philaharmonic, Korodi) 5.1 minutes Price on request.

"Botanbol"

A collaboration with Douglas Frank

This work presents a modern parallel to the ancient yantra which may defined as "a symbolic geometric diagram used as a basis of meditation in Eastern mysticism, enabling the meditator to contemplate the unity transcending the polarity of opposites." (The Secret Language of Symbols, by David Fontana, Chronicle Books, San Francisco, 1994, p. 187.) Douglas Frank prepared images of the African violet and other wildflowers with a scanning electron microscope. The closeup images of the pistil and stamen fragments were quadruplicated in mirror images and combined as one with a computer. Larry Ackerman imaged the files on film and programmed three projectors for presentation with an original soundtrack by Tim Youngblood. Not for sale.

"Limbii"

Arms and legs, hands and feet are melded in a molten flow of erotic human form with six projectors and an original soundtrack by Tim Youngblood. Multiple singular elements become unified as a new momentary element. Price on request.

"Ecuacolor"

This is an abstract evocation of Ecuador created by re-photographing images taken in that country. It is a study of color forms over time with particular attention to the transitory images created by the superposition of five projected images on one screen. Six projectors are used for the presentation. The original soundtrack was composed and created by Tim Youngblood. Price on request.

"Channel Garden"

This is an abstract work created with minimal intervention of video technique. A ridge at 3400 feet in the Sierra Nevada mountains was the setting for an array of twenty-seven thirty foot long, one-quarter inch data tapes. The tapes consist of electro-physiology recordings of Potassium ion channels made in the early 1980’s. The imagery as well as the sound created when the wind vibrated the tapes presents an interpretation of ionic flow essential to all life forms and related to movement which is universal from the sub-atomic to the galactic scale. The running time is thirty-four minutes. VHS copy $45.

"Macro Rubidium"

This is a representation of a single atom of the element Rubidium. Thirty-seven eighteen-inch yellow balls represent the thirty-seven electrons and the one red ball represents the nucleus. Since particles of a given atom can be anywhere in the universe at a given moment the balls will be unrestrained on the gallery floor. The viewers moved, bounced, kicked for fun or ? and sat on the balls to rest and contemplate the art and performances. Not for sale.

"The Element Rubidium"

A few grams of rubidium chloride and a mineral specimen of Lepidolite was displayed. Rubidium was discovered in this mineral in 1861. Not for sale.

"Neon Sign"

There was an eight-foot long red neon sign on the roof of the gallery visible from the freeway. It read: Saint Rubidium's Temple. Not for sale.

Larry has produced work independently and collaboratively with multi-image slide projections since the mid 1970s. His interests include: 'conventional' multi-image; sculptural and environmental multi-image installations; alternative screen materials, dance/theater/multi-image productions. His work has been presented in Italy, Tokyo, New York City, Iowa City and numerous San Francisco area venues such as the Oakland Coliseum, the Bill Graham Auditorium, Theater Artaud, Cowell Theater, SOMAR Theater, Berkeley Repertory Theater, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, clubs, warehouses and his living room. He has collaborated with Pamela Z, PointFix, ODC, Gene Anthony, Tance Johnson, Annie Doel, William Walantus, George Coates, Boz Scaggs, Lily Cai Chinese Dance, Please Louise Productions, Kaliyuga Arts and Robbie D. He also assists many artists by providing low cost equipment rental. Larry is supported through work as a biological research specialist. His specialty is microscopy.

Larry Ackerman

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