Carin Mincemoyer

2011

Steel, plexiglass, LED’s, and mixed media. Each sculpture approx. 54” x 54” x 60”

Diamond Diamonds is a pair of sculptures installed on Market Street in downtown Pittsburgh which reference the history of nearby Market Square. This area, a hub of civic and social activity in Pittsburgh since the city began, was at one time referred to as the Diamond, and for many years was the home of the Diamond Market.

The sculptures are mounted on a pair of light poles and surround the luminaire at the top of the pole.  The blue steel structures reference the molecular form of the diamond crystal. Suspended within this framework, the popular image of the gemstone appears as “brilliant cut” diamond shapes. LED lights within the plexiglass diamonds glow 24 hours a day. The combination of the natural and artificial structures of the diamond alludes to the idea of the city as a cultural structure intersecting with the natural landscape.

2007

Re-used plastic drink bottles, water, electronics, hardware. Dimensions variable. Cloud misted and rained water droplets like a natural cloud, and was installed in the Waterplay area of the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh.

2008

Existing grass and plants, landscape edging. Approx. 35’ x 35’.

Garden  is based on a piece from my series "Plans for Landscapes", in which the designs found in styrofoam packaging are used as the basis for landscape designs. The design used for this piece is called "Garden" and is derived from the packaging for a ceiling fan. This design was laid out on the lawn in landscape edging. During the four-month run of the exhibition, portions of the grass were allowed to grow wild, while other areas were kept neatly mowed.

 2005

View of entry. Re-used Styrofoam packaging material, live plants, wood, soil, fluorescent lights, and mixed media. Room dimensions 26’ x 26’ x 35’ h.

Installed in the Lightwell Gallery at the University at Buffalo, Grounded was an indoor ‘nature park’ arranged into different geographic and climactic zones, such as Mountains, Desert, Tropics, and Swamp. Viewers could stroll around the park on the wooden boardwalk or view the landscape from the ‘scenic overlook’ (the second-floor balcony).

2007

Wood, hardware, and tape. Approx. 6’ x 24’ x 18’. 

Habitat takes its form from a piece of styrofoam packaging, enlarged to nearly room size and constructed of wood. When a viewer enters the room, she is confronted with what appears to be a wall. After walking around one end or the other, she discovers the rest of the structure which can be walked through and climbed on. The construction is left intentionally incomplete, and the floorplan for the unbuilt portion is mapped out on the floor.

2009

Craft store birds and mixed media. Approx 12’ x 4’ x 25’.

Since most of them do not biodegrade at any appreciable rate, and no living organisms currently on earth can eat them, synthetic polymers may prove to be one of mankind’s most long-lasting creations. As discarded plastics are carried by the wind across the ground, or washed against rocks by ocean waves, they are broken down into tinier and tinier bits. As minute particles, it can travel throughout the environment in more subtle and insidious ways.

Why do these birds fly in these formations? The reason could be chemical - maybe plastic particles ingested in their food have reprogrammed their brains. Or the reason could be evolutionary - perhaps over time these birds have sensed that they may have something to gain by mimicking the structure of these molecules that are so durable.

2006-2009

Re-used plastic packaging and mixed media. Dimensions variable.

The Model Landscapes series uses plastic packaging as the basis for models of possible future landscapes.

2004

Cut paper and chipboard, 32” x 40”.

This is part of a series of Plans for Landscapes derived from the patterns found in Styrofoam shipping materials. The green areas are textured "grass" paper sold for use in model train sets.

Shown:

Plan (Circle)

Plan (Office Park)

Plan (Garden)

2004

Recycled Styrofoam packing material, live plants, and mixed media. 21” x 21” x 7”.

This is a “portable landscape”, complete with pond, planted in the Styrofoam packaging from a computer monitor. The lid fits on and the whole thing travels conveniently in the back seat of a car. (Note: Although it has the same title, this is a different artwork from the installation of the same name.)

2007

Wood, cardboard, and mixed media.

2002

Extension cords, light bulbs, wood.

2003

Fabric, foam, paint, working telephone.

In the age of distracted mobile phone calls, Stable Phone allowed visitors the opportunity to improve their personal relationships by having distraction-free, focused phone conversations with local loved ones.