Stormfront: Artists' Collaboration Kinetic Window Sculpture

Artists: Bill Bartlett, Rick Thomas, Jim Corte, Jim Starck, Ruth Beer and Peggy Cady

Date: March 6 to 19, 1978

Location: Eaton's Corner Window, Douglas and View Streets  

Stormfront was an artists' collaborative storefront display, co-sponsored by Open Space Gallery and Eaton's Department Store. Created as a light reflective environmental kinetic sculpture, Stormfront was installated in the main corner window of Eaton's Department Store at the corner of Douglas and View Streets.

Installation shot of Stormfront, 1978

Stormfront stimulated an an artist/ commerce collaboration. The talents of specialists: technicians, designers and the media were combined to explore the full potential of their resources. Using the window in a non-merchandising way, as an "art gallery", Stormfront communicated an artistic experience to the public outside of a gallery context.

Through the use of lighting techniques, wind machines and highly reflective surfaces, Stormfront created a "hurricane of light" in Eaton's window. The use of media was an integral part of the event: Stormfront was documented by video and photography.

Bill Bartlett (far left) and Peggy Cady (far right), Stormfront, 1978

Participating artists for the collaboration included the following: Bill Bartlet, Artistic Director for Open Space Gallery and artist; Rick Thomas, artist, sculptor, and window designer for Eaton's, with over thirteen years experience in window and interior design; Jim Corte, artist, designer, with ten years experience, specializing in environmental sculpture and the uses of multi-media; Jim Starck, designer, with several architectural commissions made in Victoria and extensive experience in architectural design and installation; Ruth Beer, Assistant Professor as the University of Victoria and artist, had several installation exhibitions across Canada and at the Edinburgh International Art Festival. Peggy Cady, Video Coordinator, Open Space Video Program, artist, teacher, had also coordinated Media Workshops for the National Film Board at Open Space and through other programs on Vancouver Island. Peggy coordinated documentation of the Stormfront project.

Stormfront was installed and tested on Monday, March 6, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Tuesday, March 7. The installation was intended to be part of the total concept, and was open to public view. Several activities were held in conjunction with the window piece.