RED HORSE - UC SANTA CRUZ

RED HORSE was created through a 6-week residency at the University of California, Santa Cruz.  The play was later presented as a “work-in-progress” in a series of performances at the University’s theater center Main Stage.  It was in Santa Cruz that elements of the set design, including the elaborate construction of the sand painting were first developed.  While in residence, Jenny also worked closely with director / choreographer Clove Galilee on the integration of the sand into the choreography of the play and the effects that the sand would have on the dancers' ability to move. 

The images above show the first draft of the sand painting completed on two large masonite boards-- 8 x 8 feet in total.  The last 4 images show how the painting would start as an outline in black sand, later transforming for the performance into a large-scale sand painting, 20 x 40 feet.  It took 15 hours to complete each day and had to be made each day of performance prior to the show.  Each sand painting would begin with Jenny scattering the stage in black sand, followed by the meticulous process of her drawing the outline in sand by hand.  Color was then added in layers, giving it real depth & dimension, subtle nuances between light and dark- the chiaroscuro- or contrast of a real oil painting.

 

Home | About | Video | Drawing | Painting | Installation | Photography | Publication