Encounter began as a series of scans, in body shops across LA, of cars that had been in accidents. These scans were then assembled, stitched together, and painted to become the sculptural form of a three dimensional, life-size collision.

Once those pieces had taken shape as a single object, I scanned two models in my studio, dressed in suits. When placed at the zone of impact, these figures would appear to float, caught in an embrace above the twisted metal. Finally, spheres that reflect the environment, and animated shards of glass, were integrated into the form.

The more we tested the piece, the more we realized that this 26 foot object had acquired mass, but no weight. Improbably, the whole structure floats. For the sound, we heightened and manipulated a recording of a real crash. I wanted it to sound like it looked.