Through a Window, Darkly

25 March 2010

This is the fourth in a series exploring the making of “Behind Closed Doors,” a 3-dimensional art installation that will debut at the 2010 Seattle Erotic Arts Festival. The first entry is here.

Keeping up this shooting schedule is exhausting and exhilarating at the same time. I’m averaging two to three per week, and that’s a lot to juggle with the rest of life, but the only complaint you’ll get from me is the occasional disco nap when I can steal it. I can say that the experience has done a lot to quiet my jangly nerves before a shoot. No time to be nervous!

We shot a scene with lovers in a dressing room last night, and the chemistry was fantastic. Cyra and I often exchange grinning nods at each other during shoots when the models come through with more than we expected. It happens every time, yet we’re still delightfully surprised because the response is unique.

It doesn’t work well to put the images right up against the window on the inside of the house. They must be set back a few inches to coax the viewer to get closer and put their eye up to the window in order to see inside. It forces blatant voyeurism instead of allowing you to glance casually from a distance. It has to be a deliberate act that cannot be disguised by a shuffle or a cough. In this way, it offers something a little different than a two-dimensional piece on the wall.

There will be panes on the windows, and I’m even contemplating curtains or blinds on a few, just because the openings are large – and we just can’t have it be too easy, can we?

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