Q: HOW MANY MILK CRATES DOES IT TAKE to make an architectural statement?

A: Exactly 1,025, if you’re talking about Praxis Studio’s installation at the Whitney Museum at Altria. Their latest project, Dreams and Possibilities, is a film-in-the-making that takes installation to a new level. Every aspect of the project is work in progress, from the filming and interviews to the assignment of jobs, and even the construction of the sets and studios that occupy this soaring four-story space.

Praxis, headed by husband-and-wife artists Delia Bajo and Brainard Carey, was represented in the 2002 Whitney Biennale with an audience-interaction performance piece. They were recently joined by husband-and-wife architectural team Christopher Corbett and Emily Dow, who designed the crisp, black, deceptively high-tech-looking structures for Dreams and Possibilities. Photo, top: Entrance arcade. Below: Director Richard Foreman with actors.

The various arcades, enclosures and a looming tower that transform the glass-walled sculpture court into film studios and a sound stage are milk crates held together by zip ties, with translucent white walls made of recycled plastic. Although the structures were precisely designed and computer-modeled using a 3-D graphics program, the final configuration was achieved on-site, with the assembly, said Corbett, “an integral part of the performance.” The designers arrived at the idea of using milk crates, Corbett added, “because the film involves ordinary people doing extraordinary things. We wanted to take commonly used materials that could be assembled by just about anybody who came by. As it turned out, the structures were completed over a three-day period.”

A cast of 700 actors, who have been arriving in groups of 50 each day since March 12th, were selected through self-directed audition films that were uploaded onto Praxis Studio’s website. In addition, visitors to the space are invited to participate. One day, the head of the Quentin Crisp archive dropped in and took part. “We will follow through off-site with him, as well as with many others, as we continue the filming,” said Carey. “We plan to repeat this process at two future venues, which are now being lined up,” he added.

Scenes for Dreams and Possibilities, which Carey said is loosely based on Federico Fellini’s Juliet of the Spirits, are being directed by Bajo and Carey and a team of guest directors. Last week Richard Foreman of Ontological-Hysteric Theater fame directed for two days. During his instructions to the cast, he announced that the footage will be accessible to the actors for their own use. Within a month, says Carey, scenes can be viewed on YouTube. Photos above, left to right: Director Richard Foreman with actors; director Delia Bajo with actor; filmed interview on iPod; Firehorse the DJ with setup. All photos © Peggy Roalf.

The installation is nearing it’s closing date of March 22^nd at the Whitney at Altria. In addition to participating in the filming, visitors can view and listen to filmed interviews on colorful iPods mounted on the walls of the enclosed orientation room. Please check the Whitney Museum website for hours and directions. Admission is free.