Tall Ships, 30 years later… — Small Data Industries

On Episode 4 of Art & Obsolescence, Pam Kramlich described how an encounter with Gary Hill’s Tall Ships (1992) played a major factor in sparking her interest in what would become a passionate dedication to collecting time-based media art.

This work of art has weaved in and out of my life and career as a conservator over the past decade or so. I can’t recall where my fascination with this rather legendary artwork started, but knowing it was an interest of mine, my collegue Christine Frohnert gave me the book pictured above as a gift many years ago as a thank-you for speaking to her NYU class.

Years later, during my process of caring for the work of Teji Furuhashi at MoMA, I would learn that Teiji had seen Tall Ships in person, and his encounter with this installation played a role in inspiring certain aspects of Lovers.

Tall Ships is what some might refer to today as an “immersive installation.” If one were to encounter the work, after passing through a light lock and allowing your eyes to adjust the dark space, you would find a long dark hallway flanked by spectral, ghostly figures projected onto the walls. Standing in front of any of these figures, summons them. They approach you, and hold your gaze until you walk away.

Installation view of *Tall Ships* (1992)

Speaking to anyone that has experienced Tall Ships, it is clear that Gary really struck something special with this piece. For those lucky enough to have seen it in-person it is unforgettable, and leaves a lasting impression.

I recently learned that my long standing fascination with this artwork had a purpose. For many years now Small Data has been fortunate enough to work with the incredible team at Glenstone, contributing to the stewardship of their world-class collection of time-based media art. Through our collaboration I have been lucky enough to care for some truly incredible works of art. Now, Tall Ships is one of them, and I will be sharing this journey with you.

Close-up of the original behind-the-scenes control interface for *Tall Ships*, engineered by Dave Jones. Don’t worry, the scary “Dead!!” seen on the CRT monitor is only displaying as the LaserDisc players were not connected.

Next week I will be visiting Glenstone to commence a year-long conservation project to meticulously study, document, and migrate Tall Ships away from its increasingly obsolete playback and control technologies. Perhaps the most rewarding aspect of this project will be its highly collaborative nature – working in close diagloge not only with Glenstone, but of course with Gary Hill, and his friend and collaborator Dave Jones.

In the conservation profession there have been various versions and iterations on sharing our work with the public. Here I am going to try something new. Drawing inspiration from the “build in public” approach, I will be openly sharing updates, ideas, challenges, questions, trials, tribulations and more – as we work: on Instagram (@small_data_), and you can find Gary on Instagram as well (@garyhillstudio).

I am looking forward to bringing you along for the journey as Glenstone, Gary, Dave, and I work together to prepare this artwork for a new phase of it’s life. In the meantime, if you are not already a dedicated Art & Obsolescence listener, I reccommend tuning in to this conversation with Gary.

Thanks for reading!

— Cass