Gap
150x120x2500 cm
Belgian pierre bleue & synthetic cable
Conceived for, installed and exhibited at Dexia Art Center, Brussels
The basic intention of the installation is to create a potent opposition of forces. Specifically, I mean the piece to materialise the paradox of the human condition. It is my sense that we exist in between worlds - in the gap between the real and the ideal. Further I would argue that the separation of these worlds is a construction of the human mind, a basic categorisation of experience built-in to our worldview - ultimately, these worlds both depend on human consciousness, just as the opposition of the two stones is only made possible by the gap between them. My work for the last years has been focused on an examination and celebration of the possibilities of fragmentation - in this respect, it is a celebration of the post-modern as a recognition of the basic responsibility of the individual in the constitution of a world-view. Further even than the fragmentation of social consciousness, I wish to indicate and celebrate the fragmentation of individual consciousness: recognising and celebrating the heterogeneity of our individual world-views - in opposition to the (systematically failed) quest for homogeneity of vision motivating totalitarian and absolutist ideologies.
Now taken down and resting pathetically on the floor of my studio, this piece is looking for a home. Should you happen to know of a suitable space, do let me know. It would ideally require a light-well at least 18 and up to 25 metres high. The surface area of the light-well it was installed in was around 8m x 10m. Some adaptation would probably be required according to the space - to ensure adequate fixing points for the cables and long-term security - without, of course, impinging on the essential qualities of the piece.
Photos by Simone de Greef - blame her for there being too many pictures: her photos are too good, so I had a hard time picking.
Note - whilst the mass of earth under the ground-stone was a long ruminated solution to certain technical issues in order to emphasize the mass of the rock (and inspired by Heidegger's rift, or the gap between Earth and World in Heidegger's philosophy), the 'puddle' was a rapidly conceived solution to the late request by the organisers to create a barrier for security reasons. They had suggested gaffer tape, as a psychological barrier, which would have severely impinged on the appropriation of the full volume of the space by the installation. I chose to do something which maintained a certain logic with the installation, but would have done something else had I had more time (such as placing the ground-stone on a small hill of earth, extending outwards for a sufficient radius to ensure security).
150x120x2500 cm
Belgian pierre bleue & synthetic cable
Conceived for, installed and exhibited at Dexia Art Center, Brussels
The basic intention of the installation is to create a potent opposition of forces. Specifically, I mean the piece to materialise the paradox of the human condition. It is my sense that we exist in between worlds - in the gap between the real and the ideal. Further I would argue that the separation of these worlds is a construction of the human mind, a basic categorisation of experience built-in to our worldview - ultimately, these worlds both depend on human consciousness, just as the opposition of the two stones is only made possible by the gap between them. My work for the last years has been focused on an examination and celebration of the possibilities of fragmentation - in this respect, it is a celebration of the post-modern as a recognition of the basic responsibility of the individual in the constitution of a world-view. Further even than the fragmentation of social consciousness, I wish to indicate and celebrate the fragmentation of individual consciousness: recognising and celebrating the heterogeneity of our individual world-views - in opposition to the (systematically failed) quest for homogeneity of vision motivating totalitarian and absolutist ideologies.
Now taken down and resting pathetically on the floor of my studio, this piece is looking for a home. Should you happen to know of a suitable space, do let me know. It would ideally require a light-well at least 18 and up to 25 metres high. The surface area of the light-well it was installed in was around 8m x 10m. Some adaptation would probably be required according to the space - to ensure adequate fixing points for the cables and long-term security - without, of course, impinging on the essential qualities of the piece.
Photos by Simone de Greef - blame her for there being too many pictures: her photos are too good, so I had a hard time picking.
Note - whilst the mass of earth under the ground-stone was a long ruminated solution to certain technical issues in order to emphasize the mass of the rock (and inspired by Heidegger's rift, or the gap between Earth and World in Heidegger's philosophy), the 'puddle' was a rapidly conceived solution to the late request by the organisers to create a barrier for security reasons. They had suggested gaffer tape, as a psychological barrier, which would have severely impinged on the appropriation of the full volume of the space by the installation. I chose to do something which maintained a certain logic with the installation, but would have done something else had I had more time (such as placing the ground-stone on a small hill of earth, extending outwards for a sufficient radius to ensure security).
This 3D model of the work is the only way to grasp the full height of the space occupied by the structure (25m or 80ft). There were no camera angles from which we managed to portray this - you kind of had to be there...
Having said that, the look in the eyes of some of the visitors speaks volumes.
Having said that, the look in the eyes of some of the visitors speaks volumes.
