IMMERSIVE SET DESIGN IDEAS FOR FESTIVALS & EVENTS - THEATRICAL VIGNETTES TO PLAY & EXPRESS

THE DREAM INCUBATOR, 2014

The Dream Incubator is an immersive orb built from aluminum, outlined with steel flat stock and assembled with nuts and bolts. Participants are welcome to climb inside and listen to the vibrational sound that is being transmitted throughout the structure. Lie your head down on a custom pom shag rug and tap into your dream state.


Materials || Aluminum || Steel || Hardware || Yarn || Imagination

FLOATING BED, 2014

Floating Bed was built for an Aerial Performance at Sky High Auditorium in Oakland, California. The structure was rigged for an interactive theatrical photo shoot depicting the 7 Deadly Sins through movement and characterisation. This apparatus was used for the cast to dance, swing and interact with the structure.

Materials || Metal Flat Stock || Cable || Hardware || Canvas || Rope || Netting

POPPIES for POPS, 2013

Poppies for Pops was constructed as an ode to my father who passed away suddenly from a heart attack October 5, 2007. Always teaching me to grow continually shining sun upon me, these large stems remind me of him and what I used to call him, ‘Poppie.’ This piece was created for a group show on Dia De Los Muertos, a Latin holiday in which we remember and honor our loved ones who have let go of life.


Materials || Chicken Wire || Colored Tissue Paper || Moss

MARIONETTE CAGE, 2015

The Marionette Cage was built for my BFA Thesis Show at California College of the Arts. This cage was an emotional breakthrough for me as an artist but most importantly as a human being. Throughout my life I’ve struggle with control and having people puppet my thoughts, feelings and body movement. Being a hypersensitive empath, I wanted to challenge my emotional and physical limitation by building a marionette cage in which individuals were asked to manipulate parts of my body. I used kinetic contraptions like pulleys, levers and cranks to encourage participants to dominate my limbs.


Materials || Metal || Round Stock || Flat Stock || Flocking || Mirrors || Levers || Pulleys || Rope || Spray Paint

CUDDLE NOOK, 2013

Cuddle Nook was designed and built for the purpose of taking a nap during school hours. Being in art school means endless days in the studio, perfecting projects for the next days critique. I became quickly exhausted and overwhelmed within the sterile walls of CCA, and I was inspired to create a space of comfort where one could enjoy a quick rest. I installed this sculpture in one of the open galleries encouraging other students to enjoy the quiet cuddle nook. I used stolen Benjamin Moore paint samples to give the outside a visual pop. Within the nook, I used recycled shredded paper to create comfortable padding. It was like napping on a cloud.


Materials || Chicken Wire || Stolen Paint Samples || Glue || Shredded recycled paper || Furniture Padding

DREAMING THE REALITY, 2014

Dreaming the reality was a hot air balloon installation built for wonderers to take a step into another dimension and tap into their manifestations. As a creative, hot air balloons have always been my symbol of imagination and whimsy. I wanted to use this as a launching point to encourage my audience to wonder. My hope was to inspire individuals to never be afraid to follow their dreams.


Materials || Chicken Wire || Paper Mahce || Stolen Benjamin Moore Paint Samples || Shredded Paper || Christmas Lights || Shingles || Ropes || Imagination

BOHINDIAN, 2013

Bohindian is just that- a Bohemian Indian teepee. This structure was placed on native Indian land in Northern California, exploring the ideas of appropriation in modern society questioning the trend of using symbolism from different cultures. I am continually obsessed with using the craft of knotting and netting to create the form of the teepee. I am using bright colors in my choice of fabric as well as a princess gown to emulate the concept of what a bohemian in the modern day trend and culture.


Materials || Circular Wood Poles || Recycled Fabric || Indian Land

GLAMPING, 2013

‘Glamping’ was created for a site specific performance in Tilden National Park above Oakland, California. I am inspired by the drag culture that is embedded in the San Francisco Castro District, and within this work, I am exploring the ideas of gender roles within the drag community. Many female drag queens (faux queens) are being accused of cultural appropriation and I am challenging this theory by asking the question, “Do female drag queen artists lack danger and irony because men dressing in woman’s clothes is an an apparent rejection of masculinity?”


Materials || Plywood || Hinges || Fabric Samples || Found Objects || Faux Queen ||

THE PORTOFESS, 2014

The Portofess is for all your thoughts and no where to put them. This interactive, community-driven project was taken to Burning Man in 2014. I explored Black Rock City in my Portable Confession Booth receiving confessions from complete strangers. The turn out was tremendous, and the honesty and vulnerability was like nothing I’ve ever experienced before. Forever my participants secrets will be kept with me never to be repeated again.


Materials || Plywood || Corrugated Metal || Shingles || Bike Trailer || Black Crow || Secrets

KNOW YOUR ROOTS, 2015

Know Your Roots is an ongoing installation that has been recreated for different environments in Northern California. I am constantly trying to learn more about my heritage and cultural background and this piece let me explore the complex question, “Who am I?”


Materials || Canvas || Up Cycled Tool || Found Fabric || Stripped Self

NEST, 2013

Nest was constructed with 100% recycled materials. Inspired by the diversity of objects that birds collect in nature to build their own nests, I wanted to emulate the idea of using only my immediate surroundings in constructing this piece. It inspired a series of work that explored the relationship of species and their home and how one feels to be truly comforted by their ‘living pod’


Materials || Cardboard || Yarn || Fabric Scraps || Shredded Paper

UNTITLED, 2013

This installation was inspired from my obsession with paint samples, color and the idea of repetition. I’m intrigued with the idea of everything blending into each other and only being able to decipher objects through shape and form. My paint sample obsession lasted for over three years and it still permeates into my work today.

Materials || Lamp || Chair || Table || Rug || Wood || Stolen Benjamin Moore Paint Samples

Jillian McCann