Tarantula Hill is based in community and the connections we make with others are more important than any material object we can produce. As we have travelled over the years we have had the honor to get to know many other creators and communicators. As we have travelled we have made a point to photographically document other artist's workspaces. This is often a priviledged place to visit and it can reveal many more things about the creative process than a finished piece can. The pictures below are a sampling of the many spaces we have visited over the years and throughout the world.

Nautical Almanac has been performing since 1993. Nautical operates with a open membership and has had Harper and Ptak as the core members along with maybe 25 other artists over the years. Nautical operates on the edges of reality and does not fit into any genre of music. In the 90's and early 2000's most of the instruments used by Ptak and Harper were homebuilt or circuit bent electonics. More recently the focus has shifted to lights environments, projected videos, voice and music.

Using a 1950's record cutting machine we have used non-standard materials and celebrate non linear cutting techniques. We first started experimenting with creating homemade records in 1995 and eventually figured out by 1997 from then we have cut hundreds of records in small run editions. The records are cut on recycled plastics and dead digital media. Since we cut on strange materials each type of record has its own characteristics and each record is created to accent and compliment this. Most records have grooves with multiple weaving (so playback is never the same) locked grooves, shallow or deep cuts so that strange playback is guarenteed.

Years of public performance led to the realization that I wanted to work in a more direct way with motivated people and I received training as a hypnotherapist. I have had an active hypnotherapy practice (integrationhypnotherapy.com) since 2007 and this work has allowed my understanding of spirituality, the subconscious and the superconscious to grow much deeper. There is a lot of crossover between my artistic and professional careers, in both of them imagination, focus on the Now, and extreme comfort are key ingredients.

During my time at Clocktower I plan on constructing and operating the Idea Machine. The Idea Machine will operate within a safe space that is outside of the influence of the surrounding city. The armature of the Idea Machine will consist of a copper Faraday cage. A Faraday cage blocks ElectroMagnetic waves by diverting and reflecting them; this includes the waves created by cell phones and towers, Wifi signals, television & radio transmission, and electric lines. Within the Idea Machine colored lights, holograms and crystals will create a special frequency that makes it easy to tune in to the Noosphere. Within this charged space I will be available to generate Ideas. If you would like for me to generate Ideas for you simply enter the Idea Machine and take a seat. There are two styles of Ideas available: Simple and Complex

Simple Idea generation is limited to words alone and the maximum time within the machine is 4 minutes.
You may present any conundrum or ask any question you would like during this time. Simple Ideas are often expressed as a set of directions or suggestions to be followed at a later time.

Complex Idea generation uses words, but it may also involve subtle energy transfers, physical manipulations, and emotional restructuring. The maximum time within the machine is 1 hr. Because Complex Idea generation is strenuous and effective it is necessary for the user to replenish the energy in the Machine by giving a gift. This gift may take any form from the material (objects, food, money, etc) to the energetic (information, services, kindness etc) and it may be given at any time from the beginning of the Complex Idea generation to within 1 month after. Complex Idea generation allows time for in-depth exploration and reorganization within a space free from outside influence."

Both Ptak and Harper are focused on expanding all types of consciousness. As such we are constantly creating devices which change energetic vibrations and often the perception of the user. These devices range from installations which must be experienced such as the Sound Bed or Machine for Space and Time, or physical objects which interact with intention such as the Actualization Apparatus or H.A.R.O.L.D.

The creation of sacred space is a key element in our work. A sacred space is one that makes the viewer feel the beauty and specialness of life and a connection to all that is. We create these spaces within T Hill as energetic vortexes to keep the space safe and charged. We also create use signs with words to create such spaces in the outside world.

The Tarantula Hill building was bought by Ptak and Harper in 2001, the first floor was a doctors office and the top 2 floors had been abandoned in the early 1970's. Renovations were done with as much as possible scarp and salvaged material. The building is the home and an living entity itself.