Hallie and I had some serious set-backs beginning and sustaining this project.
1. We worked with a well-intentioned designer who requested a leadership role; yet, was unable to follow-through with time commitments and a professional, detailed design. His interest in the project seemed to waver when it was necessary to move past theoretical discussions and into practical application. This created a huge time crunch for us.
2. We had issues getting a company to build custom built trailers with our specifications. We were already behind schedule, and then the trailers took longer to arrive than we planned.
3. Despite our marketing and fund-raising efforts, we had very little funding.
4. We had a difficult time securing and maintaining a safe, dry space to build; we were moved off university property before our first structure was complete or road-ready. Because we had to move quickly the designer stepped in and helped us build one day; his one and only design for my structure--columns that create a structurally integral roof system self-supportive and independent of the stage walls--were measured incorrectly. Voicing my concern did no good. Time impediments and a high level of tension created a frantic, work environment. Because of quick, thoughtless judgement calls, there are gaps between the roof and the stage panels creating a serious weatherproofing issue; this means that rain leaks into my structure around all three stage panels.
Last week around 11:30 pm I turned on the light inside my structure. It was raining outside that evening and the rain was not only leaking through the back stage wall, but was actually streaming down from the top like isolated little waterfalls. I was absolutely horrified. It's scary to think that everything I have financially is tapped into this structure. If you don't know me I'll tell you now that I've been on my own since I was 14. I put myself through high school, through undergrad and through grad school. There's no trust fund, no savings account, no supportive encouraging parents who lend a helping hand when I need it. I live check by check, like a lot of people in this world who are lucky enough to have work. So horrified doesn't even begin to sum up the way I felt at that moment. This structure has been made possible by three credit cards, and a handful of amazing people who volunteered their time and a lot of love.
What this amounts to is that I had to take the back wall apart, let it dry out, bleach it for mold, put it all back together and caulk again. This, believe it or not, takes a lot of time. It also means that I need to do this to the other two stage walls as well. Here are some photos of the process:
removing the galvanized steel
peeling off the caulking
galvanized steel off- OSB exposed
taking OSB off
OSB off and 2x4's exposed
I let it air out and breathe for a day, then I bleached it and let it sit for another day.
Might as well insulate while I'm at it!
- in Texas the fiberglass faces the inside as opposed to up north-
My first residency at Austin Peay was fantastic, and I'm disappointed to admit that future events will be curtailed until I work out some of these kinks. But things take time, and I am where I am.
I'm grateful to be in Huntsville Texas. Even though it's a serious culture-shock, the people I'm working with are phenomenal. Dan Phillips warned me about humidity and mold in my structure, so I've decided to add a couple of roof/ceiling vents (similar to an RV). He showed me a huge stack of flashing in his back yard today and offered to let me use whatever I need. At the moment I'm volunteering for his organization, the Phoenix Commotion, and in a week I'll be hired on as a crew member. It's not much money (minimum wage), but I'm learning new skills while I continue working out issues inside my structure.
Over the next month or two I'll be redoing the roof as well as the other two stage panels, installing a couple of venting systems in the roof, figuring out a pulley system so the walls are easier to move, insulating and finishing the interior, and weatherproofing the windows and door. I've also met some artistic, lively folks who are interested in pulling my structure out into the community and partaking in some performance events. I'm hoping this happens mid-December.
My final thoughts for the day; If you decide to take on a project of this magnitude, make sure you do a few things:
1. Secure a stable, safe, and permanent location to build your structure.
2. Invest time and energy finding the right people for the project; don't compromise.
3. Work with builders! I can't stress this enough. Philosophers, theorists, researchers, and designers are fantastic, interesting, creative people, but you really need the kind of knowledge a builder brings to the table. You also need people with the clarity, transparency and follow-through that is necessary for such a large endeavor.
4. If you set a goal of three months to completion, give yourself a year buffer. Just for peace of mind.
Signing off~
Sarah
