EXIT

2019

Lasercut acrylic, LEDs, red acetate, power cord, packing tape

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For a long time I considered this piece a failure. I still find it a bit hard to look at, if I’m being honest. I dreamed of an EXIT sign, nearly identical in appearance to this one, but I imagined it hanging suspended in a dark room.

This was my first time attempting a number of processes. I had never soldered or seriously wired anything before, nor had I used the laser cutter beyond the cursory run we’re required our freshman year in Core (one of SAIC’s foundation classes). I went in planning on creating a set of interlocking acrylic panels, but in the end I didn’t have enough skill to make them interlock. I still managed to size the panels properly, and used packing tape to hold it all together.

Because of the thin acrylic (much cheaper) and the flimsy joinery, I was never able to suspend this piece as I would have liked to. It’s taken me a long time to see this piece for all of the learning I poured into it and for the beauty of beginning: of trying something new.