Parallel realities

Abstract

By combining reproductions of found industrial objects with ancient Greek pottery forms, I am attempting to build relationships with the past and the present. Ancient Greek vessels are a symbol of early industry and basic human needs to control and simplify life. Industrial objects are a metaphor for the advancement of our technology and the control we have gained over our environment. Combined, these objects symbolize a long history of technological advancement, attempts to control our environment, and ultimately, nature. In my eyes, true beauty is found only in nature, through natural processes of creation and destruction and no object contrived by human hands and logical thought can compete with natural phenomena. The man-made objects that I am most attracted to are those which are old and have been exposed to the elements for many years. With this exposure to the elements an object becomes subjected to the chaos and chance of nature which does not work in terms of logic and is ultimately a purely random process. In order to accomplish this quality, my work has become highly process oriented. Instead of precise manipulation, I set up events which allow for random and natural occurrences within certain parameters. This concurrently makes my work less concerned with the issue of traditional craftsmanship and more with the idea of emulating chaotic natural beauty in the form of an archetypal craft object; the pottery vessel.