About Scott
Baltimore City Station North AE District
Scott Pennington is a Baltimore-based artist specializing in large-scale participatory installation and sculptural assemblage works. Drawing upon his background as a furniture and cabinet-maker, Pennington utilizes woodworking and construction techniques to create colorful, detailed works of art that engage varied audiences and invigorate public spaces. Pennington’s work suggests a tangible, yet illusory reality that examines labor, consumer culture, the pursuit of simple pleasures, and the… more
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Bombers
Bombers
2017
12' x 18' x 6"
Plywood, Sheet metal, Plexi-glass, LEDs, Micro-Controller
As a child I was fascinated by the machines of war, by the power and seeming grace of missiles and aircraft. These were my familiar toys writ large and potent, inspiring thoughts of adventure and heroism in my early life. All that comes after the arc of the plane, the plummet of its cargo, was invisible to me, obscured by the sheltering media and by sheer distance from those un-exceptional un-American places where the consequences of warfare are everyday reality.
In some ways, little has changed with maturity. I hear and see reports from distant lands: abstractions for an audience who does not really want to know; simplified sequences of events that are familiar in their outlines, devoid of brutal detail and confusing complication. It occurs to me that a great many Americans are rendered childlike in our relationship to military technologies- some by our trust in the judgment of authorities who assume responsibility for their use, others by our frustrated helplessness to stop them. In either case, our innocence of the war machines’ flesh and blood effects is preserved. The damage done we do not understand.
2017
12' x 18' x 6"
Plywood, Sheet metal, Plexi-glass, LEDs, Micro-Controller
As a child I was fascinated by the machines of war, by the power and seeming grace of missiles and aircraft. These were my familiar toys writ large and potent, inspiring thoughts of adventure and heroism in my early life. All that comes after the arc of the plane, the plummet of its cargo, was invisible to me, obscured by the sheltering media and by sheer distance from those un-exceptional un-American places where the consequences of warfare are everyday reality.
In some ways, little has changed with maturity. I hear and see reports from distant lands: abstractions for an audience who does not really want to know; simplified sequences of events that are familiar in their outlines, devoid of brutal detail and confusing complication. It occurs to me that a great many Americans are rendered childlike in our relationship to military technologies- some by our trust in the judgment of authorities who assume responsibility for their use, others by our frustrated helplessness to stop them. In either case, our innocence of the war machines’ flesh and blood effects is preserved. The damage done we do not understand.
Plaza
"Plaza" is an interactive installation included in "Light City Baltimore"2016 in Baltimore, MD made possible through funding provided by Baltimore Office of Promotion & the Arts. Plaza is a series of gate-like structures inspired by the architecture of carnival rides, old-school roadside signage, and the hypnotic and seductive energy of the Vegas-Style marquee. Adorned with blinking, chasing lights and colorful illuminated panels, the structures are arranged into a garden-like setting that suggests a sort of randomness, as if this temporary wonderland mysteriously appeared overnight. Plaza aims to function as a visual playground of architectural relics- one that invites viewers to stroll through and immerse themselves in colossal forms and pulsating light.
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Scott Pennington, Plaza, Baltimore MD, 2016
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The Zipper
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The Spider
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The Motel
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PlazaNight shot of PLAZA
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The Fibonacci
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PlazaDaytime installation view. Several of Plaza's benches can be seen among the structures.
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The ZipperDaytime view of The Zipper
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The MotelDaytime view of The Motel
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The FibonacciDaytime view of The Fibonacci
Electro-Duct
"Electro-Duct" is a one night installation hosted by 'Napoleon Gallery' on The Reading Viaduct in Philadelphia, PA. The Installation employs the hypnotic and seductive energy of carnival rides, old-school roadside signage, and the Vegas-Style marquee in a reaction to the surrounding industrial architecture of the viaduct. The animated beacon imposes itself into the preexisting industrial environment of the railroad, warmly insisting to the viewer that it belongs there.
Carnival Interior
Carnival interior is an interactive installation creating a meditative 'sanctuary' that explores social interaction within a space utilizing a carnival aesthetic. The gallery space has been modified to create an entry point that would give visitors an immediate symmetrical view of the installation. A large, upholstered banquette is placed in each of the 4 corners that provides slightly reclined seating and keeps a viewers feet off of the floor in a manner similar to the seat of a carnival ride. A large "duck pond fountain" sits in the center of the room and contains wooden ducks that circulate around the pond. Large spinning wheels are mounted on 3 of the walls.
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Scott Pennington, Carnival Interior, 2015
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Carnival Interior
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Carnival InteriorUpholstered banquette detail
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Carnival InteriorWooden duck detail.
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Carnival InteriorInstallation shot from "Carnival Interior" 2015
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Carnival InteriorWooden ducks and carnival wheel
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Carnival InteriorView of entry way from inside of the installation
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Carnival InteriorInstallation view from entry
SuperGame!
SuperGame! was conceived and designed by Scott Pennington, executed in collaboration with Adam Franchino, and involved contributions from dozens of other artists and volunteers.
Introduced at Baltimore’s Artscape in July of 2014, SuperGame! inhabits a large colorful structure with a nostalgic carnival aesthetic. Game operators invite festival goers to interact with the installation by playing 5 classic carnival games, each with a twist based on contemporary culture. Players are rewarded for playing each of the five games with a custom-designed hand stamp.
In the evening SuperGame! is lit by an elaborate series of programmed LED lights, designed specifically for this piece, which are integrated into the structure. Game play is accompanied by a lively sound track of new and old songs as well as sound pieces created by contributing artists.
Introduced at Baltimore’s Artscape in July of 2014, SuperGame! inhabits a large colorful structure with a nostalgic carnival aesthetic. Game operators invite festival goers to interact with the installation by playing 5 classic carnival games, each with a twist based on contemporary culture. Players are rewarded for playing each of the five games with a custom-designed hand stamp.
In the evening SuperGame! is lit by an elaborate series of programmed LED lights, designed specifically for this piece, which are integrated into the structure. Game play is accompanied by a lively sound track of new and old songs as well as sound pieces created by contributing artists.
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Political Punk RackA classic punk rack, also know historically known as ‘Tip the cat’ in the case of SuperGame!, the targets were politicians, celebrities, and TV personalities. Players threw bean bags printed with images of shoes, to try and topple their favorite, or least favorite president, despot, or wild card celebrity. Game design in collaboration with Melissa Webb.
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Danger Beach Ball RollPlayers manipulated a tilting play field to maneuver a ball thorough various ocean-themed obstacles and safely reach the beach! Game play is accompanied by lights and sounds reminiscent of an old school pinball machine.
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Battleship Duck PondA twelve-foot battleship houses a classic duck pond. Try your luck, pick a duck!
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World Destruction Ring TossA classic ring toss, but in the SuperGame! version, players threw rings around objects that they wanted to save from certain environmental destruction, such as toy dinosaurs, unicorns, and a Gene Simmons doll, sparing them from catastrophic earthquakes, volcano eruptions, and tidal waves. Game design in collaboration with Alishea Galvin and Alicia Puglionesi.
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Black Hole Corn HolePlayers threw bean bags printed with satellites into a small hole on a spinning disc. A direct hit popped a balloon, stopping alien invaders from emerging through the black hole and conquering the earth… Game design by Adam Franchino.
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SuperGame!Overall view, opposite angle
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SuperGame!Nighttime view
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SuperGame!View from above, atop the ferris wheel... Photo by Katherine Crosby
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SuperGame!Overall view
The Foam Incident
Pink and Blue Dilemma: The Foam Incident is a performance/installation introduced at Baltimore's Artscape in July 2010, seen again in Scottsdale, AZ in March of 2013 and in Arlington, VA in September of 2015. It consists of an 8 'x 8' x 13' tall structure resembling a factory, a 3' x 4' x 6' foam production unit and numerous smaller elements including road blocks and signage.
Throughout the festivals the 'foam unit' periodically spews foam resembling industrial waste onto the street. Technicians/Performers dressed in pink and blue protective gear then try to manage and neutralize the spill using various tools including brooms, shovels, garden sprayers and a leaf blower. Despite the projected, hazardous nature of the situation technicians strip down to a swimsuit version of the protective gear and encourage spectators to dance and play in the foam until it stops flowing.
Throughout the festivals the 'foam unit' periodically spews foam resembling industrial waste onto the street. Technicians/Performers dressed in pink and blue protective gear then try to manage and neutralize the spill using various tools including brooms, shovels, garden sprayers and a leaf blower. Despite the projected, hazardous nature of the situation technicians strip down to a swimsuit version of the protective gear and encourage spectators to dance and play in the foam until it stops flowing.
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PBD: The Foam Incident
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Installation viewPhoto by Melissa Webb
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Foam Flow withTechnicians at Scottsdale (AZ) Arts Festival, March 2013
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Technicians at Scottsdale (AZ) Arts Festival, March 2013
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Technicians encourage viewers to enjoy the foamPhoto by Melissa Webb
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Foam begins to flow and technicians attempt to contain itPhoto by Melissa Webb
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Technicians with a fanPhoto by Melissa Webb
Evacuation Scenario
Evacuation scenario was part of 'The Rooms Play' 2011 by The CopyCat Theatre. Upon entering the triangular room viewers are escorted to the room's center by two technicians. Each of the three walls contain one or two spinning elements. Viewers are instructed to relax and cooperate by a loud pre-recorded soundtrack consisitng of a female voice from a loud speaker. While viewers are scanned by an ambiguous blinking wand the distant sounds of mechanical devices and possibly a helicopter are heard. After subjects are properly scanned and cleared by the technicians the loud speaker indicates that exterior conditions had reached a safe tolerance. A count down begins, the buzzer sounds and evacuees are rushed out of the room.
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Evacuation ScenarioPhoto by Theresa Keil
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Evacuation ScenarioPhoto by Theresa Keil
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Evacuation ScenarioPhoto by Theresa Keil
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Evacuation ScenarioPhoto by Theresa Keil
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Evacuation ScenarioPhoto by Theresa Keil
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Evacuation ScenarioPhoto by Theresa Keil
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Evacuation ScenarioPhoto by Theresa Keil
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Evacuation ScenarioPhoto by Theresa Keil
Interstellar species Survey
The Interstellar Species Survey is an interactive installation/performance created for Artscape 2008 in collaboration with Paige Shuttleworth. It consists of a 9' tall x 18' diameter, octagonal spacecraft and 8 performers in elaborate "alien" costumes. The craft's interior contains numerous control panels, simulated technology and various tests that spectators were subjected to upon entering the installation. Several video displays run throughout the day accompanied by a soundtrack of ambient 'alien noise'. As the sun set the craft is lit from the inside with built-in light effects and projections onto the fabric hull that are visible from inside and out.
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ISS crew discuss optionsPhoto by Nancy Froehlich
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An alien agent diligently at workPhoto by Nancy Froehlich
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Agent prepares to engage subjectsPhoto by Nancy Froehlich
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After testing subjects are stampedPhoto by Nancy Froehlich
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Spectators are anxious to be experimented upon
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Installation exterior and performersPhoto by Nancy Froehlich