A Behind the Scenes Look at Arcadia Exhibitions’ Scott Kip Installation, Opening Sept. 3

Arcadia Exhibitions welcomed Philadelphia-based artist Scott Kip to campus this summer in preparation for his show, "Perpetual Inventory: A Ruminative Installation by Scott Kip," which will run from September 3 to December 15 in the Spruance Gallery. An opening reception for the installation will be held on September 12 at 4:30 p.m.

The installation consists of unconventional spaces connected by staircases and corridors, primarily made from repurposed wood. Viewers will be able to access a series of rooms displaying tableaus of objects from Kip's life. The installation will occupy the entirety of Spruance Gallery.

"I want to create the experience of feeling like you're exploring a space that you're not quite sure you're supposed to be in," Kip explained while guiding us through the labyrinth. "There are openings in the windows to show different angles of the still life. You'll be visually and physically exploring the space during the show."

Another major facet of this project is Kip's attention to providing an accessible viewing experience, despite the steep staircases and tight corridors contained within the installation.

"This is the most construction work I've ever done in my entire life, it's certainly the biggest and craziest thing I've ever tried to build, but there's the valid criticism that it's absolutely inaccessible," says Kip. "You spend so much of your life in marginalized accessible spaces that this feels strange. So that's an important part of the work for me, but I also wanted to make it accessible. That's been my design challenge from the start."

Upon request there is an alternative experience of the installation for people in wheelchairs. Viewing the show from a wheelchair also offers a unique perspective on what's being presented, one that's different from what's visible otherwise.

"There will be mirrors all over to see things from different angles," Kip adds. "If you ever don't feel comfortable with the exhibit you can say that and we'll give you a wheelchair. It makes it a different experience from the angle you view it, it might feel weird and uncomfortable from the standing view but it's perfectly normal from a wheelchair view."

According to recently retired Director of Arcadia Exhibitions Richard Torchia, Kip's plan for an alternative viewing experience makes this show unique.

"The project represents the first time an artist has made a work expressly intended to engage individuals seated in wheelchairs to navigate spaces that would otherwise be challenging to experience," he said. "No previous installation hosted by the program has ever transformed the gallery so thoroughly and dramatically."

Planning for this exhibition began back in 2018, under Torchia's leadership. Now, having passed the torch to new Director Matthew Borgen, and serving as a guest curator for his last installation,, he is pleased by how Kip has used every inch of Spruance Gallery.

"The project is unprecedented in the manner in which it employs the vertical space of the gallery, which rises to a pitch of 33 feet," Torchia said. "Artists have occasionally made creative use of the building's exposed steel girders and the walls and windows near the ceiling, but Kip is the first to invite viewers to occupy spaces so high above the floor and encourage them to perambulate at those elevations. Those who are familiar with the gallery may not be able to ascertain where they are within it once they enter the work and start exploring."

Kip has been exhibiting his work since 2008, including a residency with the Asian Arts Initiative and installations at the Fleisher Art Memorial, Marginal Utility, Delaware Contemporary, and the Penn State Abington Art Gallery. He's worked as a restoration woodworker and technician for the Wanamaker Grand Court Organ for 18 years and also works to maintain the Philadelphia City Hall Tower clock. His practice is informed both by these projects and the skills gained from his background as a cabinet maker, machinist, and clockmaker.