Statement:

It is very likely that Modified Arts will one day become one of the many buildings in Phoenix that has been torn down, relocated, or reoccupied. It could someday be just a pile of rubble or part of the more than 40% of Phoenix land that is vacant – where all that remains is the memory of the space along with its ruined materials.

All of the histories and memories of buildings and spaces that used to be are constantly being quieted while developers try to latch onto some idea of what Phoenix’s character is. What we end up with is a constant cosmetic makeover for the city – prettying it up without doing any serious issues-counseling for the interior.

This piece is about collecting the parts early or literally tying the structure into its space. Strings that are attached to the building are pulled into a center column inscribed with locations of vacant lots and rubble piles throughout the city. The proliferation of these spaces is reiterated in a small book available in the interior of the building. It is reducing Modified to one of these phantom buildings now where you can reflect on it and every other empty, demolished and developed dirt lot in the city.

Special thanks to Christy Puetz and Karolina Sussland for their help with installing this piece.