Nick Rodrigues Art Fabrication

Ledge 2014

Unique sculptural theater with 6-channel HD Video and 5.1 soundtrack, 3D Animations with Rhett LaRue, Runtime 49:24, Components: aluminum, ambient audiofiles, amps, anodizing pigment, cuben fiber, ethernet switches, foam, glue, grommets, mac mini, media players, no-see-um mesh fabric, paint, plastic, powdercoat, projectors, snaps, spacer mesh, speakers, staples, steel, rear projection fabric, reflective tape, rip-stop nylon fabric, rope, rubber, tape, thread, tubular webbing, various hardware, webbing, wireless programmable lights, wireless router, wood, zippers. Dimensions variable.

What a joy it was to develop this project with Lizzie and the team. We took an analog/digital “hybrid” approach and mocked up all the screens full size to be sure the overall scale of the experience in the tent would feel right. We then went back and forth using real tent poles to rough out the natural curves while inputting the dimensions into the computer and our scale model to make sure we would like the overall shape of the whole. Once we had the overall tent pole structure mocked up we draped material and took patterns directly off the structure to translate them to fabric. It was really fun but also super challenging. We also integrated “butt kickers'' into the platform so it would shake with specific scenes from the film. Ria and the FTS team were in charge of the sound and media integration.
One more fun detail was coming up with a language for describing all the parts. When you make something with this many components you get to develop an entire naming language to be used in the 72 page installation manual!

Tent Installation Design/Fabrication Team:
Lizzie fitch/Ryan Trecartin
Ria Pastor
Sean Grattan
Rhett LaRue
Chachi Mathis
Chris Dyson
Mary Brøgger
Sofia Arreguin
Karen Lembke

Image Source and more information at https://www.regenprojects.com/exhibitions/lizzie-fitch-ryan-trecartin

https://vimeo.com/112421395

Retreatery Butte 2016

Unique sculptural theater exhibiting Mark Trade (single-channel HD Video, runtime 1:13:30)
Components: bar tables, bar stools, custom rock seats, park grills, fire rings, carpet, paint, lighting, ambient sound
Original installation dimensions: 157 x 331 1/2 x 233 1/2 inches

For this project I got to expand upon one of my favorite techniques for building organic structures;“Triangles”. To build the boulder seats we started by stacking some piles of milk crates and various stuff around the studio until it was the shape we liked. I then covered the pile in leather and started to tack together pieces of “pencil rod” or ¼” steel rod. I love working this way because it’s easy to cut the rod close by with a bolt cutter so there is no need to walk across the studio to a saw or make a cut list. Once the whole structure is “tacked” together you then take it off the form and do your full welds. Next we cut small plywood triangles to fill in the flat planes. Lastly, we taped and coated the seams with Resin. Cutting the triangles was very time consuming so if you have a better idea please let me know. Ultimately we ended up covering the “low poly” rock form with soft foam.

Safety Pass 2017

Unique sculptural theater exhibiting Permission Streak (single-channel HD Video, 21:17 without credits) Components: gym mats, custom diving bunk, wooden platforms, message boards, carpet, paint, drop ceiling, lighting, ambient sound

Original installation dimensions:144 x 149 x 228 inches
(365.8 x 378.5 x 579.1 cm)

Photo source and more info: ARG https://www.andrearosengallery.com/archived-gallery-site-1990-2017

KW Berlin
ICA Boston

This project was super fun. We were looking to reference a gymnastics aesthetic so I had to look at what type and sizes of mats were available and design the whole room to fit these pieces like a puzzle. We then designed this diving platform as a fun little loft for viewing the movie. I ended up designing an extra large base to be hidden under the mats to make it stable with the single post.

We then got to design an alternate version for the Berlin Biennial. This was great because I just sent a fabrication team my plans and they built it to our specifications. What a treat:)