Now thinking of other possibilities to include more abstraction and existentialism in the piece.
IDEA:
So have started by making a minimalist abstract closed vessel (non functional) that might be seen variously as a boat/ship, a container containing something(s) or perhaps a tomb or maybe a mausoleum. On one ledge is an item that is boc like but with what could be construed as eyes and a nose (as straight lines) and so could represent some form of mechanical being perhaps.
The surface of the vessel will be rough with varying glazes and slips (possibly some gritty addition to the surface also) to possibly signify age and I may include some inscriptions such as Oppenheimer’s quote from the Bhagavad Gita and other suggestions of atomic disasters.
INFLUENCES:
Existential philosophy (e.g. Jean-Paul Sartre) and early works of Alberto Giacometti and others exploring existentialism.
Giacometti’s ‘Gazing Head’ and ‘Hands holding the Void’ (my vessel may well be ‘holding’ souls or similar) yet I feel I stray to an almost opposite place when it comes to ‘space’ depicted by Giacometti since he was interested in the voids between individuals my piece implies (potentially) that individuals are being kept closed in (if they exist at all).
INTENTION:
I want the viewer to ponder existential questions such as the threats of war, of artificial intelligence, of the ‘success’ of capitalism. But equally, each of those threats has the potential to do so much good for humankind, other sentient beings and, indeed, this beautiful planet we take for granted – nuclear power could reduce global warming (I accept there are inherent dangers also!), capitalism, if not allowed to become run-away capitalism is perhaps essential for individuality and efficiencies and AI could literally save humankind – yet all can easily become existential threats.
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