Distorted Erudite

I guess I'll start where I finished.
This was my final project from "The Show" at ECU titled 'Distorted Erudite'.

In this piece I am delving into the communication between the land and the ocean, how we as humans interpret this communication in our cultures.  This work deals mainly with paper as my medium, creating a graphic style that uses simplified shapes and adds depth through the layering of paper. 

Specifically honing in on the cartography aspects of the dry versus the wet, I am looking at our perception of the land we can see compared to the land that is submerged under water.  This seen and unseen view of land, impacts how we show preference to one over the other, specifically in our treatment of the oceans.  By mapping out the movements that occur within the ocean, going from natural to the influence of culture on the environment (from the world map, to the tectonic plates, leading to the ocean currents, with the gathering results of garbage and debris, then the shipping traffic skims all of these layers), reflects the current conditions that are taking place globally. 

In using paper in this project, as a two dimensional medium, can be manipulated by layering; therefore, creating an environment for the viewer’s eye to wander not only over the piece but between the layers as well.  I like to explore how this constructed space between the layers interacts with the image contents and how this can effect the viewer’s perception of the piece.

The large scale of the different panel layers brings the viewer into the subject matter and the measure behind the concept.  I chose to suspend my piece away from the walls so that the slightest breeze will cause it to gently move, adding to the play of light and movement between the panels.  This also allows the viewer to approach the pieces from any direction, visually and conceptually.

This work is influenced by Alanna Mitchell’s book “Seasick: The Global Ocean in Crisis”. Her writing touches on this unwanted need to know the consequences of the human race, specifically the ocean. Globally we have an immense impact on our surrounding environments; therefore, these findings need to be spread on a global scale.

  Sadly this piece is very hard to photograph, but here are some better pictures :)