Exhibition
The Astrology Orchestra is a multi-platform performance project that uses the system of astrology to map out her birth chart from the perspective of the planets in the solar system. These charts served as a template for Grinnan to create unique stringed instruments, each representing a different planetary perspective of the same moment in time, though each chart is radically different due to the planets’ position in space. Furthermore, the note of the string at the diameter of each sculpture correlates to the frequency of the planetary spin. Various members of Grinnan’s artist community were cast according to their astrological sign to play the instruments simultaneously as a symphony. A metronome serves as the conductor for the performance while the performers circumnavigate through the zodiac cycle playing the planetary transits. These instruments have been previously activated through orchestral presentations at the Mount Wilson Observatory, the Venice Beach Biennial in conjunction with the Hammer Museum’s Made in L.A. 2012, and lastly at the Integratron in Joshua Tree, CA presented by LAND.
In the concluding exhibition at Human Resources, we propose to display Grinnan’s sculptural instruments and astrological charts/diagrams which emphasize Grinnan’s vision and process, along with two installations of high definition video projections. These video projections will be comprised of footage from the past performances of the Astrology Orchestra from the Integratron, and the 60″ telescope at the Mount Wilson Observatory as part of KNOWLEDGES. Both of these projections will be dome-shaped to form a complete circle, echoing the architecture of the spaces in which the original performances took place and the shape of the instruments and the planets. An additional video piece will detail the performance of the Astrology Orchestra at Venice Beach. Finally, a publication including images of the performances, the instruments, and portraits of the performers along with detailed texts on the research, influences, and documentation of all three performances will be available for the public to read.
Grinnan and book designer Brian Roettinger of Hand Held Heart have completed the publication which is currently being printed, and thus will be ready for inclusion in the exhibition.
Grinnan writes, “This culminating show would serve as a vehicle for the meaning of the entire project, where the contexts could be read as material used to color the perception of the performance in different ways, emphasizing my interest in form as a mutable thing that changes according to translation.”

Upstairs, Downstairs

A performance of the Astrology Orchestra could take place but the installation of the work (which is fragile) would not allow for other performances to occur during the duration of the exhibition without the artist’s express permission and LAND oversight, but likely only directly related artist performances.