This piece is a demonstration of figure-ground representation and differentiated attentional masking. The background is gray dots with semi-ambiguous placement; the dot groupings appear as six rough sections (to disrupt attentional focus). Dots are not entirely uniform, with patches of partial shading of gray over dots. The goal is to create a dissonant, semi-organized, but somewhat uniform backdrop that is apparent but frustrating to the viewer. The two acrylic sculptures are transparent, 1/4-inch extruded acrylic square rods. The only screws in this piece are those attaching the sculptures to the hardboard; otherwise, clear acrylic cement (placed with a syringe) is the sculpture construction medium. The square to the left is forged-cut steel (no joints) on 1/8 inch steel stilts. The contrast between the steel square and the acrylic sculptures is apparent, so apparent that the visual representation focuses on the steel square, causing the clear acrylic sculptures to disappear (or not be seen by the viewer) (The "Ghostery" Effect). The shadows of the transparent acrylic sculptures appear and are strengthened by this contrasting dynamic with the steel square.
