Animation, light and a song that changes with every choice. Andy Arkley built Are You There? for Portland as its own work, not a copy of Happiness: the sequences, shapes and sounds belong to this city alone.
This piece brings together several threads that Andy has been thinking about. He is interested in how people continue to exist after death through the energy they leave behind, and in the cycles of plant and animal life he observes during his daily walks through Seward Park in Seattle. It also draws from the sense of freedom he felt while drawing as a child, and from the way specific chord combinations, tones, and rhythms can shape emotional experience. At its core, this artwork is about paying attention, finding ways to re-engage with the world by noticing what is taken for granted over time, and about the importance of conversation and connection with friends and strangers alike. Are You There? was created as a collaboration with its audience. By pressing each control button, different animations are activated; holding multiple buttons creates new combinations. It can be experienced alone, but it’s also meant to be shared and played alongside others.
About the artist
Andy’s art practice is built around creating inclusive and uplifting experiences that foster connection and collaboration. His work has been presented across the United States as well as internationally. He is also a member of the sound collage group The Bran Flakes, with whom he has produced six full-length albums since 1999.
