Goose Song

Ollie Goss, MFA 2024, Sculpture

Humor and absurdity are essential to my art practice. I utilize what Bertolt Brecht refers to as “Verfremdungseffekt,” or the distancing effect in order to make the familiar strange. My work is often participatory and brings people together to experience something different, together. In doing so I hope that I open the door for different ways of relating to one-another and our built environment.

Goose Song is a multi-media installation that asks questions about collectivity, water use, and “the rules.” Drawing from the 17th century folk poem “The Goose and the Commons.” A single-channel video asks the question “If the water’s the town’s to call, why can’t it be accessed by all!” Participants are challenged to address questions such as “When was the last time you broke the rules and gotten away with it?” and “When was the last time you followed the rules and regretted it” The experience ends with a serene ride on a goose car to the gentle noise of geese honking over the Schuykill River. Participants leave contemplating their relationship to water, rules and collectivity.

"Goose Song" Installation Shot

Track: OSB, Ply, Vinyl, PVC, Goose: Ply, house paint, joint compound, motor, casters, embedded speakers with audio from Bartram’s North, Stanchions: Found poles, concrete, corrugated plastic, vinyl. Dimensions Variabl — "Goose Song" Installation Shot Track: OSB, Ply, Vinyl, PVC, Goose: Ply, house paint, joint compound, motor, casters, embedded speakers with audio from Bartram’s North, Stanchions: Found poles, concrete, corrugated plastic, vinyl. Dimensions Variable Photo credit: Neighboring States

"Goose and the Commons" (Still)

Chipboard, house paint, monitor, folding chairs.

Video, 7:06.

Photo credit: Neighboring States, Video Credit: Harold Batista — "Goose and the Commons" (Still) Chipboard, house paint, monitor, folding chairs. Video, 7:06. Photo credit: Neighboring States, Video Credit: Harold Batista

"Stanchions"

Stanchions: Found poles, concrete, corrugated plastic, vinyl.

Photo credit: Neighboring States — "Stanchions" Stanchions: Found poles, concrete, corrugated plastic, vinyl. Photo credit: Neighboring States

"Goose and the Commons" (Still)

Chipboard, house paint, monitor.

Video, 7:06.

Photo credit: Neighboring States, Video Credit: Harold Batista — "Goose and the Commons" (Still) Chipboard, house paint, monitor. Video, 7:06. Photo credit: Neighboring States, Video Credit: Harold Batista

"Goose Song" (Detail)

Track: OSB, Ply, Vinyl, PVC, Goose: Ply, house paint, joint compound, motor, casters, embedded speakers with audio from Bartram’s North,

Dimensions Variable

Photo credit: Neighboring States — "Goose Song" (Detail) Track: OSB, Ply, Vinyl, PVC, Goose: Ply, house paint, joint compound, motor, casters, embedded speakers with audio from Bartram’s North, Dimensions Variable Photo credit: Neighboring States

"Goose and the Commons" (Detail)

Chipboard, house paint

Photo credit: Neighboring States — "Goose and the Commons" (Detail) Chipboard, house paint Photo credit: Neighboring States

Center for Crush Research,

2023,

Army Surplus Ripstop Nylon, grommets, vinyl

Photo Credit: Shoog McDaniel — Center for Crush Research, 2023, Army Surplus Ripstop Nylon, grommets, vinyl Photo Credit: Shoog McDaniel

Center for Crush Research Workshop,

2023,

Army Surplus Ripstop Nylon, grommets, vinyl

Photo Credit: Shoog McDaniel — Center for Crush Research Workshop, 2023, Army Surplus Ripstop Nylon, grommets, vinyl Photo Credit: Shoog McDaniel

"Goose and the Commons,"

2023,

Dimensions Variable.

Found video of Palenville, NY town hall meeting, found materials, inflatable.

Photo Courtesy of the Artist — "Goose and the Commons," 2023, Dimensions Variable. Found video of Palenville, NY town hall meeting, found materials, inflatable. Photo Courtesy of the Artist

"Cabaret,"

2023,

Performance shot of Hannah Tardie

Proscenium: cardboard, 2x4s, house paint

Photo Courtesy of the Artist — "Cabaret," 2023, Performance shot of Hannah Tardie Proscenium: cardboard, 2x4s, house paint Photo Courtesy of the Artist

"Hello Architecture,"

2023,

Dimensions Variable

Sheets, Laser cut found fabric

Photo Courtesy of the Artist — "Hello Architecture," 2023, Dimensions Variable Sheets, Laser cut found fabric Photo Courtesy of the Artist

"Kind of a Pool,"

2023,

Pool: Pool Liner, Found 2x4, Cinder Block, Water, Ratchet Strap, Hose, Paper Mache

Photo Courtesy of the Artist — "Kind of a Pool," 2023, Pool: Pool Liner, Found 2x4, Cinder Block, Water, Ratchet Strap, Hose, Paper Mache Photo Courtesy of the Artist

"Home Run,"

2023,

Performance and kinetic sculpture,

Arduino, small figurines, pine, stepper motor

Photo Courtesy of the Artist — "Home Run," 2023, Performance and kinetic sculpture, Arduino, small figurines, pine, stepper motor Photo Courtesy of the Artist

In the Time of the Blue Ball Table Read,

2023,

Performative table read of In the Time of the Blue Ball by Antoine Volodine

Photo Courtesy of the Artist — In the Time of the Blue Ball Table Read, 2023, Performative table read of In the Time of the Blue Ball by Antoine Volodine Photo Courtesy of the Artist

"Plane,"

Ceramic, cardboard, paper macher, house paint

Photo Courtesy of the Artist — "Plane," Ceramic, cardboard, paper macher, house paint Photo Courtesy of the Artist

Ollie Goss

Ollie Goss (b. 1994) is a multi-disciplinary artist and performer based in Philadelphia. They use installation, video, puppetry and performance to create aberrations as catalysts to propose alternatives for a more equitable world. Ollie holds a B.A. in International Relations from Pomona College and an MFA in Sculpture at the Tyler School of Art and Architecture.

Website: olliegoss.com
Instagram: @olliegoss_