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This photo shows floor preparation for a unique and wonderful effect that exploits cracks in concrete and, preferably, an absorbant subfloor, both common resources in the urban theatre. Due to the kinetic nature of the effect, still photography can hardly describe it.

For the demonstration, cracks in the factory floor of the New Orleans Sculpture Lab were cleared of detritus and filled with sand. Isopropyl alcohol was then poured evenly along the length of the many cracks and allowed to soak into the sand and dirt beneath. Extinguishing all other light sources, the gas evaporating from the cracks was ignited. The effect was basically the same each time I lit the vapors. At first, a bright orange flame was seen for 30 seconds or so, but as the superficial fuel was depleted an extraordinary series of individual, darting flames would develop. These became fewer in number until only one or two remained, running the circuit of the crack/s in an uncannily figural display. Paul Haigham, co-founded of the NOSL, called the effect "Lucretius meets Pac Man."

Sculptor

Portrait of Stephen Rife
Our House
Underground
The Serpent's Egg
Demonstration w/non-dairy creamer
The Anxious Substrate
Demonstration with Ladder and Flammable Dust
Lantern
Performance w/handheld mortar
Firebreathing
Fire Vortex Prototype
Demonstration w/Plant Matter & Lawn Tools
Song of Late Summer
Fireshovel
Fireshovel (detail)
Ritual Burning of Fireshovel Comments
Gravedance (prep)
Gravedance
Secrets of the Nest
Firebag prototype
To Burn, Not Bury
New Year's Gate
The Battle for St. Paul
Raindial
Firebag Demonstration w/Gerb
Firedance prep.
Firedance
Firedance (spinning)
The Book of Life
Fire display w/paraffin, paper & welding gas
Horseplay
New Year's Eve Lampshade
Offering to Stromboli
Autumn Fire Rite with Pinedust
Autumn Fire Rite with Pinedust
Firefilm
Fireball
Fireball (detail)
Wax Paper Juggling
Demonstration with Steel Wool and Headpiece
Firebasket Demonstration
Firebasket Detail
Firebox Demonstration
Street performance w/firecans & mower
FIRE WALL AND WATER BASIN (jury selection)
Smoking Word
Smoking Word (participants)
The Tree of Light
Flint Dance
Fire Shovel
Sunflower (test)
Flame Relay in Cracks
The Ice Knife
The Ice Knife (detail)
The Darshanty
Thanksgiving Prelude
Launch
Carbonera
Smell Piece
Entry
Partial Document of Performance
Monofilm (installation before ignition)
Monofilm (fire stage)
Roman Signer Tribute
David
Streetlamp
Reprise: Signer's Suitcase
Yves Klein Tribute: Return of the Sun
Projection