After Life
Chicken Wire, Shipping paper, Moss.
26′ x 42′
This artwork I created was influenced by the idea of eco-art. The materials are mostly compostable, including different paper shipping supplies and moss. This piece will eventually decompose and turn into carbon. I used chicken wire to construct the outer structure and hold form for the object. Then I stuff all the material into the body, representing all the flesh in a human body.
At the beginning of the creation process, I wanted to create the shape solely out of the paper without any support. Through trial and error, it is easier to use chicken wire to restrict the material from spreading out. Because of the chicken wire, now I have a more rigid and realistic form. As the creation progressed, I discovered new materials to use, such as moss, I collected them and represented the microorganisms that are present in a human body.
After all, I think death is really simple, a human body just decomposes like everything else into the soil. After the decomposition, whatever is left is nourishing the soil and giving opportunities for other organisms to thrive off of.
Comment by Linda Weintraub
Your application of the Beyond Death theme is intriguing, but it might be made more meaningful if you also addressed these questions: Should the work be human scaled? Why is the body cut off at the waist? Why is it lying in this prone position? Where is it located? The impact of your work would be greatly enhanced by considering these variables. They each provide an opportunity for you to develop the Beyond Death concept. For example, consider how the meaning changes by locating this artwork in a cemetery, or a neighborhood known for crime and killing, or a vacant lot, or a garden.
Also, sprinkling soil around it is not as true to the theme as allowing the artwork to actually create the soil by decomposing.
You might also consider using materials that moss really likes to feast on. I don’t know if it digests paper shipping materials, but it loves rotting wood.
Finally, you might consider a biodegradable way of forming your artwork. For example, burlap string would decompose along with the paper.
Comment by Linda Weintraub
Your application of the Beyond Death theme is intriguing, but it might be made more meaningful if you also addressed these questions: Should the work be human scaled? Why is the body cut off at the waist? Why is it lying in this prone position? Where is it located? The impact of your work would be greatly enhanced by considering these variables. They each provide an opportunity for you to develop the Beyond Death concept. For example, consider how the meaning changes by locating this artwork in a cemetery, or a neighborhood known for crime and killing, or a vacant lot, or a garden.
Also, sprinkling soil around it is not as true to the theme as allowing the artwork to actually create the soil by decomposing. You might also consider using materials that moss really likes to feast on. I don’t know if it digests paper shipping materials, but it loves rotting wood. Finally, you might consider a biodegradable way of forming your artwork. For example, burlap string would decompose along with the paper.