Devices

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In 2017, David Weed walked into a hardware store looking for a structure that could house an idea he had for an interactive sign. In the electrical aisle, he discovered pull boxes - sturdy metal enclosures designed to protect wire connections. They were perfect: industrial, durable, and built for modification. Their metal construction allowed for drilling, cutting, and powder coating, offering both creative control and longevity.

He purchased one, altered it, had it powder-coated, and paired it with a 12-volt LED indicator light, a toggle switch, an antenna, and a custom panel label titled RELIGION. The concept was simple: an interactive device that invited participation and choice. By flipping a switch, viewers could turn a light on or off, registering a preference through a tangible act.

When he first exhibited the piece during an art walk at his studio, he was struck by how people engaged with it. They laughed, debated, hesitated, and reflected - all in response to a single switch. That experience clarified his artistic direction. Soon after, he began incorporating push buttons and control knobs to expand the range of choices available.

Since then, he's continued creating these devices - some politically charged, others playful, abstract, or enigmatic. Each work transforms a small, deliberate action into a moment of engagement, prompting curiosity, decision-making, dialogue, self-reflection, and expression.