Michael C. McMillen's Museum of Distraction
transforms the Cal State Fullerton Main Art Gallery into a
dimly-lit labyrinth of chambers through which the viewer navigates
mysterious worlds made up of seven separate installations
constructed from discards found in the streets and alleys
of L.A. and augmented by carefully chosen sounds.
"Silent Film," created specifically for this exhibition,
consists of a worn and deserted ticket window; weathered signs;
an archaic film projector emitting a hum of mechanical noises
and a silent film montage that the artist describes as "more
like a half-recalled dream." Other installations include
recreations of “The Witch of Draconis,” “A.C
Crump, Proprietor” and “Hallway 509.” Combining
elements of Hollywood stage sets and assemblage, McMillen's
work invites the viewer to contemplate and participate in
the discovery of his somewhat surreal and disconcerting environments.
This Southern California artist has been creating evocative
architectural installations, both full-scale and miniature,
since the 1970s. His work has been shown nationally and internationally
and he is represented by L.A. Louver Gallery in Los Angeles.
A brochure, designed by the artist, documents the exhibition
and includes images of each of the installations plus an essay
by Philip Linhares, Chief Curator of the Oakland Museum of
California. This publication is available for purchase during
the exhibition. |
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