Jacksonville – The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) Jacksonville has opened its Project Atrium to a new, thought‑provoking installation titled Glitch: Architecture Undone. Created by North Carolina‑based multimedia artist and Elon University associate professor Ryan Rasmussen, the towering mixed‑media sculpture will remain on view until February 14, 2027.
What the work looks like
The piece rises from a sleek, extruded‑aluminum base that stretches across the atrium’s white‑walled floor. Black orthogonal lines form a sturdy framework, while a second, asymmetrical level bursts upward with tangled white metal that appears to hang precariously above the museum floor. Colorful back‑lit panels and kaleidoscopic projections are attached to the structure, creating a visual simulation of digital accumulation.
Artist’s intent
Rasmussen describes the work as an exploration of the “digital‑physical paradox.” He likens technology to both a prosthetic and an amputation, offering new abilities while also cutting away aspects of our humanity. “We gain some new ability with it. It’s amazing, but at what cost? What are we losing?” he told us, paraphrasing media theorist Marshall McLuhan.
For Rasmussen, a “glitch” is not merely an error; it can be a revelation that exposes the underlying structure of a system. He hopes the sculpture encourages viewers to consider what it means to be “nature” in an age of endless scrolling and screen‑based consumption.
Creation process
The sculpture began as a simple doodle in Rasmussen’s sketchbook before being refined with computer‑aided design software. After structural engineering approval, the artist assembled the piece on site, adding wood scraps, found objects, and additional metal elements in an improvisational, “in‑situ” manner. This ad‑hoc approach mirrors the way digital content often evolves in real time, moving from virtual conception to physical realization.
Local context
Rasmussen, who splits his time between North Carolina and Jacksonville, made a point of limiting his personal technology use while preparing the installation. He told us he “resists shunning it completely,” seeking a balance between digital tools and analog experience.
The artist also cited glitch artist Rosa Menkman, experimental architect Lebbeus Woods, and the unrealized 1920s Monument to the Third International by Vladimir Tatlin as influences. He sees the work as part of a broader conversation about how buildings function not just as static objects but as systems with multiple, interrelated purposes.
Visitor experience
MOCA encourages patrons to view the sculpture from multiple angles, noting that the piece’s perspective shifts depending on where one stands. Visitors are invited to experiment with their phones—centering the work in a vertical frame or even placing themselves in the foreground—to capture personal reflections on the digital age.
“A building is never done, it’s always in flux,” Rasmussen said. “Architecture begins when people inhabit those spaces, and it shapes how we behave in the world.”
Practical details
Location: Project Atrium, MOCA Jacksonville
Dates: September 10, 2026 – February 14, 2027
Admission: Free for museum members; standard ticket price applies for non‑members.
For more information, visit mocajax.org or call the museum’s visitor line at (904) 555‑1234.
Original reporting: Jacksonville Today — read the source article.
