Lure — Ann Marie Schneider

LURE

Site-specific installation of shimmering mylar fishing lures that bring light into the darkest areas of a UW student housing courtyard. Trolling lines were fabricated by local craftsmen and anchored to the building elevation at specific datums that correspond to changing light levels.

Details:
Mithun’s concept for Terry Maple Hall at the University of Washington played on the parity of light within the interior courtyard by varying the apertures of windows based on their solar aspect. Asked to create a temporary installation, I proposed the introduction of light in dark areas of the courtyard using mylar fishing lures (“smile blades”) for their ability to attract, strong weather resistance, and evocation of Seattle’s marine ecology and economy. The cables were fabricated by a local firm in the tradition of trolling lines and anchored to the building face at specific datums that corresponded to solar light levels. The resulting shimmer appeared to travel upward along the lines like a flickering digital display.
Architect and Landscape Architects: Mithun.

1. View of installation from courtyard below.
2. Sketches, models and test lines of mylar smile blades.
3. View of installed lines from residence hall (Image by collaborator Dorothy Faris)