In the tradition of the 19th century diorama and phantasmagoria, Falls creates an environment with surrounding sound. Before photography, a phantasmagoria consisted of hand-painted magic lantern slides projected images of demons on the walls around the audience, playing to their fantasies and fears. Falls illustrates an abstracted space filled with water and floating figures which swirl around the viewer.
Falls is an exploration of representation of the landscape and perceptions space incorporating nineteenth century technology and modern fears. The figures in the work are men in a progression of dressed to undressed. The suit is out of place in the water suggesting the figure was drawn in against his will. The naked figures could be intentionally swimming, or their clothes could have been torn away by the currents.
The figurative forms and the water contrast fears loss and the unknown with the intentionality of sport and exploration of space. The line between the pleasure of swimming and the terror of drowning can be easily crossed. Americans seem fascinated by a controlled environment fear as entertainment. We give up the responsibility of our own survival to a corporation that will guarantee it to us.
Falls is a wall of concrete set with lenses that project images and is meant to reference man-made hydro projects. When hiking in to the gorges below one must pass warning signs posted at the entry points. At any moment, day or night, a solid wall of water can come crashing down the valley wiping everything away. The warnings come from the authorities controlling the dams. Campers, hikers, and fishermen should beware because although the dam was constructed to control flooding and make the world a more orderly place, the control is not absolute.
Visit my studio to view images of the construction of Falls and other projects. |
Falls Installation view
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Falls Installation view
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Falls Installation View
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