Mac Miller-Reeves
Performance and Installation Art
"Laser Focus"
Installation
Spring 2016
In a time when many people are stressed about our countries political standings, the start of a new semester, or the generally chaotic nature of life, I wanted to create a piece that could remind people to still have fun. The concept for this piece started off with my desire to recreate a laser maze. I chose this space due to its playful nature of rocks that are begging to be climbed. I hope interacting with this piece can remind everyone to take time for ourselves despite stress or anxiety, in order to remember to breathe and enjoy the fun that's nestled into the turmoil of life.
"Awakening"
Installation
Spring 2017
"Awakening" is hidden inside an enclave within a busy and bustling college campus. The piece invokes an eerie sense of sleep and is shrouded in mystery, begging the audience to take a closer look. The word 'awakening' is embroidered on the cloth, leaving the audience with something to think about. Is this a figure that was recently laid to a long rest, or is this figure about to wake up?
"Slow Progress is Still Process"
Performance
Spring 2018
This piece was recorded on May 5th, 2018. Two weeks before this piece was performed, I kept tallies on my wrists; my left was to act as a record of how many times I wanted to smoke a cigarette, and my right was to document how many times I followed through with that urge. I also made a tobacco dye during that two week period that would reflect the spoil, stain, and damage smoking inflicts upon the user.
During the performance, I found that it mirrored my struggle with addiction to nicotine. Originally the aesthetic of this piece appealed to me, and I was excited yet slightly nervous to do so. As the presentation continued though, I found myself frustrated, in slight pain, and wanting for it to be over.
Our society has romanticized the act of smoking, and I and many others have fallen for that facade. This piece aims to reflect the self-harming destruction of smoking, and instead of glamorizing smoking, embody the injurious act.
Special Thanks to:
Perri Kostecki for capturing the performance
"Flaminko Tree"
Installation
Spring 2018
The Flaminko Tree displays pink plastic flamingos suspended in a magnolia tree. This is an abstract representation of a suburban home with a white picket fence and tacky yard ornaments. This piece is a commentary of our societies desire to consume useless products in order to display an idealized image. Our collaboration began when we were discussing the ideas behind "The Atomic Family" movement in the '50s.
In collaboration with:
Megan Cary and the Baker Arboretum
"Trapped in My Mind"
Filmed Performance
Fall 2018
“Trapped in My Mind” is a performance that reflects the effects of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) on a person’s ability to navigate through their own thoughts. GAD is described as “persistent and excessive worry about a number of different things.” (Anxiety and Depression Association of America). Anything and everything can warrant an over exaggerated amount of stress. Anxiety feels as if one has no control over what they are anxious about, even if the individual knows that there is no logical reason to be worried.
Utilizing a small, enclosed, and blank space, this environment was chosen to give the overwhelming sensation of being trapped. This space is a reflection of my mind when experiencing anxiety. The yarn symbolized an individual worry. By itself, one piece of string does not hinder my ability to maneuver around the space, yet the more they accumulate, the harder it becomes to function normally. Eventually reduced to a fetal position, the thoughts have rendered me useless and unable to function properly.
Special Thanks to:
Evan Mattingly: Cinematographer
Scott McFadden: Audio Engineer
" Just Because // I'm Not Yours"
Filmed Performance
Fall 2018
“Just Because I’m Not Yours” is a Feminist manifesto that utilizes painted text on bed sheets and curtains to display the manifesto. The modified sheets are no longer fit to be used in the original manner they were once intended for. The usage of domestic textiles such as bedsheets alludes to typical and outdated societal expectations of a woman, such as the role of a homemaker.
The act of unrolling myself from the fabric becomes a metaphor for shedding stereotypes bestowed upon females in society. The sheets are seen faintly moving as if they are breathing, and the words on the fabric posses a powerful life of their own. Words are known to have an inherent power and mysticism, and the moving sheets help to heighten the idea of words being alive with sovereignty. My voice helps to amplify their function, reading the manifesto to the viewer.
Journeying into nature is symbolic of finding oneself and being born again as a stronger female due to the realization of personal strength. This piece reflects my newfound ability to not allow predetermined norms to interfere with my own sense of self-worth. Simultaneously, it challenges recognized social norms put on females that are preventing them from living an uninhibited life.
Special Thanks to:
Cinematographer Evan Mattingly