Artifice of Power (AoP) represents the physical expression of power through architecture, anthems, and gestures. The front is pure spectacle: a towering sculpture made of stacked architectural elements—spires, rotundas, and domes—that evoke authority, permanence, and dominance. Every hour, a different anthem plays, accompanied by a pre-programmed light show.
The anthem lyrics are generated from actual lines in the national anthems of the “100 most powerful countries,” determined by an aggregate list based on military, economic, and social influence metrics from various media sources. The most frequently used words—like “War,” “Blood,” and “Earth”—were extracted, and the corresponding lines were compiled. These fragments were then shaped into new anthems through a collaborative process between AI and myself, with the AI generating the final arrangements using specialized prompts.
However, from the side, the illusion weakens, and at the rear, the artifice is fully revealed: exposed set pieces, plywood, clamps, sandbags, and tangled wires—all showing that the display of power is merely stagecraft.
Beyond the sculpture lies an open circular seating area for public gathering and reflection on how we engage with both physical and internalized forms of power. Two distinct decks of cards contain quotes on power, status, hierarchy, and human supremacy. These quotes were not selected to inspire or declare truth, but to shed light on the mechanisms through which power operates in the world and within ourselves. Visitors are encouraged to engage with the quotes, selecting those that resonate and using them as a starting point for conversation, contemplation, or respectful debate.
During events, visitors can ascend the staircase to a lectern that overlooks the crowd below.
This project uses humor and spectacle to invite visitors into a critical exploration of power’s porous, performative, and structural nature.
With special thanks to: Space Program SF: Jacob Pritzker and Jud Bergeron, with support from Isaac Pritzker, Emily Lakin, and Ben Venom. Minnesota Street Project: Michael Rubel, Julie Casemore, Aimee Le Duc. Special thanks to: Nelson Chan, Sophia Cordova, Andy Kahn, Eric Neville, Lisa Rock, and Steve Shada.
CONSTRUCTION OF THE WORK
This first phase below was funded through the generosity of the Space Program SF.
The project was developed and built over the course of two years. Below are just a few (of hundreds) of images, sketches, plans, research etc.
Design schematics (above). NY Stock Exchange in the shop (below)
Me building the stacked domes at the Space Program SF in August 2023.
