Image: Beth Campbell, dah-dah-dah-dah-dit, dah dah-dah-dah, di-di-di-di-dit (2018)

It’s my big birthday week, babies. To celebrate, I caught up with an old friend, artist Beth Campbell from New York. She was visiting Austin this past week to unveil a new public art project as part of the Landmarks collection at the University of Texas. I got to see Beth do a great conversation with philosopher Timothy Morton, who also wrote a nice essay about her work (read it here). During our own conversation, Beth and I discussed the arc of her practice over the last 20 years, which has won her a Guggenheim Fellowship and a Pollack-Krasner Grant, and has seen her work presented in venues including the Whitney, the Drawing Room in London, MoMA PS1, and tons of other places. We talk mirrors, audience expectations, the difference between installation and sculpture, emotional time travel, and a whole lot more. The outro music is “Mythmaster” by Lightning Bolt.

Below the embedded podcast, check out examples of a few of Beth’s works referenced on the episode.

Following Room (2007), 8 x 15 x 30 feet, wood, drop ceiling, furniture, carpet, acrylic tubing, misc. objects — *Following Room* (2007), 8 x 15 x 30 feet, wood, drop ceiling, furniture, carpet, acrylic tubing, misc. objects

Never Ending Continuity Error (2004), 84 x 64 x 144 inches, wood, metal, sinks, tile, light, paint, mixed media — *Never Ending Continuity Error* (2004), 84 x 64 x 144 inches, wood, metal, sinks, tile, light, paint, mixed media

Potential Store Fronts (2007), 9 x 15 x 30 feet, wood, plexi, paint, neon lights, mylar and other faux surfaces, light boxes, vinyl lettering, carpet, fake plants, exit signs, misc — *Potential Store Fronts* (2007), 9 x 15 x 30 feet, wood, plexi, paint, neon lights, mylar and other faux surfaces, light boxes, vinyl lettering, carpet, fake plants, exit signs, misc

Crashing tables (moments crashing….I underestimated the consequences) (2005), 33 x 48 x 144 inches, balsa, pine, china, glue, silverware, napkin — *Crashing tables (moments crashing….I underestimated the consequences)* (2005), 33 x 48 x 144 inches, balsa, pine, china, glue, silverware, napkin

My potential future based on present circumstances (11/15/08), detail, pencil on paper, 50 x 38.5 inches — *My potential future based on present circumstances (11/15/08)*, detail, pencil on paper, 50 x 38.5 inches