Bill Will Studio

Polka Dot Courthouse Square is a series of 40 colorful, 12-foot, vinyl “polka dots” adhered to the red brick surface of the Square that will be installed this month and on display through September. These dots, spaced 10-feet apart within a structured grid, not only “decorate” our beloved Portland Living Room carpet, but also “set the stage” for pop-up performances by a diverse range of Portland artists, musicians, writers, singers and dancers - while also welcoming the un-choreographed, open space behaviors of Portland’s citizens and visitors. In partnership with Portland Mall Management, 10 dots will also extend along a ten-block length of the Downtown Transit Mall, along SW 5th and 6th Avenues, allowing for pop-up performances to take place through the entire Downtown Core.

100 white shirts twist in the breeze of electric fans. Kinetic installation at Nihon University Museum of Art, Tokyo. 2012.

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ReConstitution, 2005. A full-scale replica of the lower portion of a large generic tree including roots and trunk. ReConstitution is constructed from a variety of salvaged wood products including dimensional lumber, plywood, particle board, and millwork. Currently on loan to the Portland Art Museum by the Bonnie Bronson Collection, Reed College.

Forground: “Undertow” Background: “World’s Greatest No. 1 Hand”

From the exhibition Fun House at the Ronna and Eric Gallery of Contemporary Art

Fun House Catalog

23 large modified stop signs with messages relative the issues of systemic racism have been displayed on our house beginning August 1st. With LeBrie Rich.

You Are Here presents an immense map of the world created with 20,000 potted plants for The Festival of Flowers in Pioneer Courthouse Square, Portland, Oregon. People from across the globe interacted by finding their country and conversing with strangers.

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Kinetic installation (including sound) of toy soldiers crossing a bridge and then retreating.

2010, 2017. Kinetic installation of 17 upside down coffee pots flapping their lids in cacophonous conversation.  Dimensions variable.

House Trap is a human-size trap in the form of an iconic house. This installation playfully addresses the conundrum of personal freedom vs. societal traps of any form; be it job security or the exchange of personal privacy for increased national security. 11’ x 10’ x 14’

Rewired bread-makers, tent poles and felt rockets explore the absurdity of short-range missile warfare. 2015.

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Capture the Flag - 2020 is a kinetic installation that humorously encourages us all to vote so that we can take back our country.

This work includes thirteen waving, blowing, vibrating, and rising/lowering American flags. The flags are operated by a variety of appliances including a bread machine and a garage door opener.

An American flag made of plastic shopping bags inflates and deflates continuously. With artist LeBrie Rich.

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Kinetic installation. Dimensions variable. 20 life-size expressionless heads nod Yes or shake No in combinations or in unison. 2013/2017

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Constantly inflating and deflating suit. 2018

Kinetic foam #1 hand. 11’ x 4’ x 3’. 2018

Guise, a 7-foot wide American flag suspended from a modified electric garage door mechanism moves toward participant and wraps around them as they are seated.

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Pennies and bread of equal value arranged in a pattern on the gallery floor - 7,800 pennies and 55 loaves of bread.

45 bowling ball “faces” turn to follow one’s movement through the gallery. Sound collage of booing and cheering accompanies movement. 

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24 household appliances perform in various combinations including solos, duets, call and response, and all in unison.

2018 Dimensions variable

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288 pieces of randomly chosen clothing made in 42 countries form an American flag (less than 7% were made in the USA).

Map of the United State 7’ x 12’