Steven Gagnon's "Time Machine" Video Sculpture, Miami 2006

"Time Machine" is a video installation inside a 1930 Ford Model A. The work brings to life my grandfather's love letters from Miami Beach in the winter of 1936 to his fiancee living in Massachusetts. A young auto mechanic from New Hampshire, Bill Gagnon was hired to come down and work at a garage on 1st Street. Being seperated from his true love, his written descriptions are honest and frank that capture the mood and energy of this beachside city during its first boom days. Inspired by the wealth, progress, and enchanted weather, he sees Miami as a place where they can make their life together.

In reading these accounts of the town that I have called home for the last 10 years, I was surprised to discover how applicable his accounts of 70 years ago are to the Miami I live in today. Although fashion and styles have changed, the underlying mood and feel are the same. In addition, reading their love letters has allowed me to personally get to know my grandparents. I was able to read the first part of the book of their lives. I meet them when they were at the height of their youth and saw a boundless future with unending promise. I feel truly fortunate as so many people are only able to meet their grandparents at the end of their lives and know the last chapters.

"Time Machine" was exhibited at Fountain Miami in 2006 and presented by Evelyn Aimis Fine Art at PalmBeach3 as well as Palm Beach! art and antique fair in 2007. I have posted more information about this and other similar projects on: www.StevenGagnon.com