Katie Campbell-Site Specific

 Katie Campbell-Site Specific

4/5/2026

So far, I have two ideas. I struggled with what I want to do because I want to keep with my theme of faith and or small quiet moments in time. I am still not sure of these ideas and maybe expolore more.

For my first idea, I wanted to create something lighthearted that connects to the idea of quiet moments in time. I thought it would be interesting to use humor and surprise to make people pause and smile during their day. My idea is to place small sculpted squirrels throughout Prexy’s Pasture on campus, positioned in natural but unexpected spots like hanging on trees, sitting on trash cans, or resting on benches.

Each squirrel would have accessories that reflect campus life, such as a Chick-fil-A bag, a UW beanie and gloves, or a backpack with books. These details would make them feel relatable and connected to student experiences. I would continue adding more ideas to represent different parts of campus culture.

This project is site-specific because squirrels are already an important part of campus life. They act almost like an unofficial mascot, with social media pages dedicated to them and students interacting with them daily. Because of this, the sculptures would blend into the environment while also creating a sense of surprise.

The goal is to create small moments of joy that interrupt people’s routines in a subtle way. By noticing these squirrels, viewers are encouraged to slow down and be more present. Overall, the installation uses playful, familiar imagery to bring attention to the often overlooked details of everyday campus life.

The artwork that made me think of this is the Trolls by Thomas Dambo. As they are placed around places, but each troll is not the same as the one below. The troll is taking the lamp posts and gathering them like flowers. There are multiple trolls, but each is different on the site and does not work anywhere but their site. Another artwork is Humpty Dumpty by Kimber Fiebiger in Colorado Springs. These sculptures are specifically placed in the Rocky Mountain regions, and each of them shows a characteristic of Colorado. 

For my second idea, I wanted to create something more faith-based and reflective. This installation would take place in my church, specifically in a small hallway room that people pass through before entering the sanctuary or other areas. Even though the space is small, it serves as a transition point, making it a meaningful place to prepare people’s hearts and minds before worship. This makes it very site-specific, as the layout and purpose of the space are unique to this church.

My idea is to paint a mustard seed tree on one of the walls, symbolizing how faith can grow from something small into something strong. I want to combine painting and sculpture by adding dimensional elements, such as paper leaves that fill the tree and extend out into the room. This would make the piece feel more immersive, as if the tree is growing beyond the wall.

I would also add texture to the trunk, like bark, to create the illusion that it is coming out of the wall. In addition, I would paint birds mentioned from the bible, such as doves, to represent peace, and attach paper wings to give them more depth and movement.

The goal of this installation is to create a quiet, reflective moment as people enter the church. By surrounding viewers with imagery of growth and peace, it encourages them to slow down and mentally prepare for worship while experiencing a sense of calm and spiritual connection.