Zombillation

In the search for hanging hardware, I've seen enough suspension photos to last me a life time. OUCH!

On to the much more civilized arena of making art: The idea to suspend the works gets thrown around by well-wishers and worried gallery people alike.

OK, how distracting would a rig be to hang the works if it was absolutely impossible to nail, drill or whatever from the ceiling, or if the ceiling was just too high (over 20 ft?)

And, how expensive would it be to rent? Personally I think that price would be negligible for the effect a hanging piece would have.

But the nay-sayers would counter with: If a wine-steeped viewer--or any other viewer for that matter--bumps into the rig, it's finito for the installation. Pain just thinking about it.

Time for some examination:

1) Suspending the work makes it sculptural. So does, some may argue, putting it on a stand. Oh, how pedestrian! 

2) A hanging work moves ever so slightly and takes on a life of its own. Some say it's hovering like a zombie. (Cruel but amusing)

3) A hanging work doesn't have a bottom. Precisely! That's the magic of it.

My wet-blanket buddies say there's plenty of magic already. If I want more, I'd better invent some other way to get it.