The Deception Pass Project

The Deception Pass Project is an interdisciplinary installation artwork that involves video, sound, and large topographic images of the seafloor. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) at their Pacific Hydrographic Branch in Seattle provided seafloor data and assistance to make this project possible.

The unique properties of the channel include seemingly calm yet treacherous waters revealed by hypnotic patterns of movement, dramatic cliffs that constrict the channel’s flow, and concealed marine floor topography. The dynamics of influence between surface and depth, and their patterns of behavior manifest in currents, tides, and the evolving geology of the sea floor are interests generated through this project. The juxtaposition of the marine bottom (printed images) against the surface of the water (video) attempts to reveal what is ordinarily invisible: visualizing the unseen and implying the physical mass of water between sea floor and surface.

Every 6 minutes in the video, a small boat appears in the screen and perilously navigates the channel. In developing the audio component, I focused on subtle layers to create a space of fullness. Flanking the video are four wall-mounted images (approx. 8’x6’) of the marine floor that I produced through working with NOAA.

Sea Floor Image #1 from The Deception Pass Project, developed in collaboration with NOAA, Pacific Hydrographic Branch, Seattle, inkjet image on aluminum, dim. 114” x  52”

Funding for this project was made possible through Texas Woman’s University’s ORSP, CAS and SOA faculty research and development grants.