The Clock On Humanity By Wilfredo Menendez
Exhibition Text: This piece is intended to be a solar clock looking structure, representing sort of a clock on humanity. The statue like thing in the center is a representation of the existence and mark of the human race in the world. While the rocks represent the strength of nature and how ultimately it has control of humanity.
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Medium: Mixed Media
Size of the Photographed Object/s: Length: (Approx.) 1.5 ft/45.72 cm Width: (Approx.) 1.5 ft/45.72 cm Completed: March 2016 |
Meaning: Similar to some of my other pieces, this piece deals with the issue of global warming. Scientist theorize that if the earth keeps heating up the nations could partially flood. To show this I attempted to manipulate the light so that in some images it would look like the dial was at around 10 or 11 hence marking almost the end, also around the clock it was flooded in this image.
The statue in the center is meant to symbolize humanity and it is visibly melting and burning down as the images progress. While the rocks are there to represent nature, it's resiliency and its ultimate superiority over humanity. Something else that happens as the images progress ,that I spoke about earlier, is that it subtly get a little more flooded as the time on the dial comes closer to 12.
The statue in the center is meant to symbolize humanity and it is visibly melting and burning down as the images progress. While the rocks are there to represent nature, it's resiliency and its ultimate superiority over humanity. Something else that happens as the images progress ,that I spoke about earlier, is that it subtly get a little more flooded as the time on the dial comes closer to 12.
Process & Reflection: For this piece I used the Found Object medium. In order to keep the abstract aspect of the medium I decided to just use random cut out pieces of foam and start assembling them in different ways until I recognized a object that it looked like. I did many different arrangements from towers to abstract sculptures but none that captured my attention. After a bit of time I began to get frustrated and decided to get back to it later. So I went back inside and started to scroll through Tumblr searching for something to inspire me. After a little while I saw a picture with a fact about solar dials. This captured my attention and I decided to do some research about solar dials completely forgetting about the project I was working on. As I did some research
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I found that solar dials were very popular during the time of the Greeks, then it hit me. I could base my piece around solar dials and use Greek culture as my inspiration, so I cut some more foam shaped and formed them into a statue like formation. Then I hot glued them together and decided to base the piece around that. So when I hot glued the pieces of foam together to sort of resemble a ancient Greek statue gone abstract, I made some sketches and it reminded me of a solar clock, hence how I came up with the name and the idea of manipulating the light with candles in order for it to say different times.
Then I thought about what this could represent and I like to do my pieces around who I am or something significant in the world.
One thing I would change if I did this project again is that instead of doing it on the actual ground I would find a way to use synthetic grass, dirt and a foam board to created a better base for the piece. Also, I would consider doing it in a sunny day and using the real sun to make the shadows instead of candles and fully embrace the solar clock idea. Another reason using the foam board would make it better is that it is portable and I can move it onto different spots and build walls around it and make the images better. The last reason the foam board would be better is that I said that as time went on the piece got more flooded and it did. However, it was very difficult to keep it flooded and photograph it before the dirt sucked up all the water. With the foam board the water level would be maintained long enough for me to take multiple photographs.
Then I thought about what this could represent and I like to do my pieces around who I am or something significant in the world.
One thing I would change if I did this project again is that instead of doing it on the actual ground I would find a way to use synthetic grass, dirt and a foam board to created a better base for the piece. Also, I would consider doing it in a sunny day and using the real sun to make the shadows instead of candles and fully embrace the solar clock idea. Another reason using the foam board would make it better is that it is portable and I can move it onto different spots and build walls around it and make the images better. The last reason the foam board would be better is that I said that as time went on the piece got more flooded and it did. However, it was very difficult to keep it flooded and photograph it before the dirt sucked up all the water. With the foam board the water level would be maintained long enough for me to take multiple photographs.
Inspiration:
Ancient Greek Culture & Technology: One of the most widely know things about ancient Greek culture are the famous marble statues. I based the statue type thing in the center of the piece around these statues. That is also the reason that I decided to leave the foam as white instead of painting it another color. The piece as a whole is supposed to be a solar dial. Since I was already using ancient culture, I though I´d might as well use another thing from that time period. As I was setting up the piece I began putting rocks around the piece, and saw that with the shadow it resembled a solar dial. Then I began to think of how at night I could manipulate the shadow with candles.
Ancient Greek Culture & Technology: One of the most widely know things about ancient Greek culture are the famous marble statues. I based the statue type thing in the center of the piece around these statues. That is also the reason that I decided to leave the foam as white instead of painting it another color. The piece as a whole is supposed to be a solar dial. Since I was already using ancient culture, I though I´d might as well use another thing from that time period. As I was setting up the piece I began putting rocks around the piece, and saw that with the shadow it resembled a solar dial. Then I began to think of how at night I could manipulate the shadow with candles.
Word Count ( Not Including the Exhibition Text ): 727
Research:
http://www.mrdowling.com/601-measuringtime.html
http://previewcf.turbosquid.com/Preview/2014/05/26__00_06_34/Greek-Statue-01.jpga8f6e153-0220-43e7-ae1a-53a478bf7c99Larger.jpg
Research:
http://www.mrdowling.com/601-measuringtime.html
http://previewcf.turbosquid.com/Preview/2014/05/26__00_06_34/Greek-Statue-01.jpga8f6e153-0220-43e7-ae1a-53a478bf7c99Larger.jpg