Number banner situations

View a number banner arrow installation in action

See a number banner arrow installation in action

I use arrows, text, diagrammatic banner prints and other objects to create installations. Number banners are used as they load a situation with numeric value, whilst the banners themselves take on a new life through association with the surrounding elements.

The arrows are made from layers of cardboard, glued together and painted in colours which are appropriate to the action, subject and situations.

Number banner situations images

Click on an image to see a larger view...

Cardboard arrows

These were created to add a dynamism to otherwise static objects. Most objects are effectively tools, they require our gaze or our physical intervention to animate them. By placing the arrows in positions around objects movement can be inferred.
Like the banners, these arrows can also be seen as tools; by their close physical presence to otherwise inanimate objects they can invoke life, or at least potential actions.

Arrow twist

Placing banners between the two arrow parts appear infers a twisting motion in the banner itself or a banner which possess the potential to twist.
Just as the number banner loads the arrow's motion with the value of eight, the arrow, by association infers a corkscrew motion to the banner.

Banners, arrows and texts

Here number banner seven is placed close to text which describes its qualities and it has been placed upon a single straight arrow, this assigns an assertiveness to the banner that it otherwise may not have had; certainly the banner text does not refer to number seven having any particular assertive qualities.

Circle arrows

See number 9 and number 4 on arrow circle.

On this arrow set-up banners placed on or around the arrow are shown to move in a circular fashion, whilst banners - or other objects for that matter - placed in the centre can be shown to spin around at their centre point, producing much the same effect as the twist arrow installation arrow but with the banner or object standing upright rather than being on its side.

I have photographed a number of banners on or around arrow situations, to show demonstrate the potential motion of the arrows. In installation situations in galleries the arrows and banners are static and movement is either described or pictured on the wall.

Multi arrow split

These cardboard arrows can employ more than one arrow head. In this case the arrow has either a choice of directions to follow or its presence is split in different directions.
This breaks up the physical object without the necessity to do it physically, the banner is virtually split, its sum is potential divided into three.

Arrow wiggle

This arrow presents a potential meander for any object placed upon it. Here a banner is seen to wander into the corner of the room.
It is one of the more emotional arrow situations where there is no apparent purpose to the action, it serves solely to suggest an explanation of the emotional state of the banner, it does not explain the nature of the banner as a tool. Like all objects, banners have personality - even if it is superimposed by the viewer. This situation informs the personality of the object.

Figure-of-eight

The figure-of-eight text accompanied the arrow set-up at a number banners exhibition.

Figure-of-eight arrows on the wall.

This is one of my larger arrow set-ups. Objects placed near or upon it are set in perpetual motion in a way that bears some similarities to the car game skaelextric.
Number banners were placed upon these arrwos, different banners take a different pace along its path dependent upon their value and chacteristics as objects.
Figure-of-eight arrow set-up was displayed at Void gallery in east London.