Ben Quesnel

Lives and works in Stamford, CT, USA

Artist statement

I create art experiences inspired by the temporality of moments and the variation of ideas attached to the things that surround us. The pieces I design are often fleeting -- they change throughout time with the help and participation of the spectators who engage with the works. A combination of performative actions and collaborative contributions allow for permanent uncertainty as the installations evolve or dissolve from one occasion to the next. My multi media installations are designed with familiar objects gathered from tag sales, giveaway piles, auctions, and community recycling centers. The discarded pieces of the present create links to the past. Scratches, dents, and marks on the objects trace back to the previous owners and the different roles the objects have played in the lives of others. The installations appear desolate. The aging and distorted objects are waiting to be reactivated by the viewer who will infuse new meaning and life into the work. In full circle, the spectators take a turn as the creators contributing to the evolution and transformation of the work by moving, adding, or taking things away from the original configurations. A large part of my artistic practice includes developing and organizing opportunities that encourage creative collaborations with the community within the same parameters of impermanence. I seek vacant and overlooked spaces that can be transformed into unique art experiences before they are demolished. I invite groups of...

Artwork