Sacred Sculpture Project I
10 Installations landscape intervention/sculpture/photographs 2007-2009
This series is about discovery and surprise, which can challenge our assumptions about the confluence of nature and culture.
In 2007 I created reproductions of historic sacred sculpture, installed them in the wilderness, then shot documentary landscape photographs of them. I’ve placed 10 pieces in 5 different states, shooting them on film, digitally and on video, documenting the installations as my takeaway.
I sourced original iconic historic sculpture from classic civilizations around the world and recreated them in oil clay, about 5′ tall. Then I made a multi-part mold and cast multiples–five of each–using traditional British cast-stone techniques. They weigh about 600lbs apiece. I then found locations in the public wilderness, away from roads or trails--in plain sight, but in the middle of nowhere. With a crew of five pulling and pushing a wheeled cart, we hauled them overland to the site, erect. After the installation I camped out for a several days, awakening before dawn and staying after dusk, to capture a documentary image on film.
After all this I walked away, leaving them to be randomly discovered. My intent is to create this opportunity for discovery; a single moment of surprise that can spark someone’s wonder and give one pause for thought. Hoping to awaken the historic connection between culture and nature, I borrow wilderness to reinterpret it as sacred space. Ultimately I am setting the stage for personal discovery and revelation.
In 2007 I created reproductions of historic sacred sculpture, installed them in the wilderness, then shot documentary landscape photographs of them. I’ve placed 10 pieces in 5 different states, shooting them on film, digitally and on video, documenting the installations as my takeaway.
I sourced original iconic historic sculpture from classic civilizations around the world and recreated them in oil clay, about 5′ tall. Then I made a multi-part mold and cast multiples–five of each–using traditional British cast-stone techniques. They weigh about 600lbs apiece. I then found locations in the public wilderness, away from roads or trails--in plain sight, but in the middle of nowhere. With a crew of five pulling and pushing a wheeled cart, we hauled them overland to the site, erect. After the installation I camped out for a several days, awakening before dawn and staying after dusk, to capture a documentary image on film.
After all this I walked away, leaving them to be randomly discovered. My intent is to create this opportunity for discovery; a single moment of surprise that can spark someone’s wonder and give one pause for thought. Hoping to awaken the historic connection between culture and nature, I borrow wilderness to reinterpret it as sacred space. Ultimately I am setting the stage for personal discovery and revelation.
Sacred Sculpture Project II
In the summer of 2014 I revisited all of the installation sites to re-document the installations. My goal was to capture them--if they were still there--at different times of day and night, from different angles and in different lighting and weather. I realized several portfolios from that trip.
This series of images tiles up to 40 separate images shot from a static tripod, yet captures multiple angles, with a 50mm lens. I processed them to strip them of color, which can be distracting, instead highlighting the texture and feel of the sky, grass, & rock surrounding each piece.
Sacred Sculpture Project III
These images were shot at night with long exposure, capturing the earth's rotation on many. I lit the pieces with a flash from below.
Although I’ve often found small piles of pebbles on the pedestals, I’ve only met one person who had discovered a piece (Nevada Horus), a prospector who was working a claim in the region. I had returned to the site to reshoot the piece—at night time—working on the SSP III, IV & VI images. I was using a flash and light-sticks to illuminate the piece, and got to bed quite late. At dawn he roared up to my campsite, with his little dog riding on the front of his ATV, rousted me out of my sleeping bag, and demanded to know who I was and what I knew about “that falcon sculpture”. Apparently he had seen me and my lights, working the previous night. Over a pot of coffee I learned that he had discovered the piece several years earlier, and the mystery was so deep in him, that he had adopted it and was protecting it from me(!). I couldn’t have hoped for a more meaningful response.
Although I’ve often found small piles of pebbles on the pedestals, I’ve only met one person who had discovered a piece (Nevada Horus), a prospector who was working a claim in the region. I had returned to the site to reshoot the piece—at night time—working on the SSP III, IV & VI images. I was using a flash and light-sticks to illuminate the piece, and got to bed quite late. At dawn he roared up to my campsite, with his little dog riding on the front of his ATV, rousted me out of my sleeping bag, and demanded to know who I was and what I knew about “that falcon sculpture”. Apparently he had seen me and my lights, working the previous night. Over a pot of coffee I learned that he had discovered the piece several years earlier, and the mystery was so deep in him, that he had adopted it and was protecting it from me(!). I couldn’t have hoped for a more meaningful response.
Sacred Sculpture Project IV
This is what I see when I look at these installations; sacred art pulsing and radiating elemental geometry, culture, math, and sacred text into the night.
I shot these images with long exposures, capturing the earth's rotation on many. I lit the pieces with a flash, and used cyan, magenta and yellow glow sticks to add a layer of elemental symbols to the composition and I further focus those symbols in bronze, silver and gold. Finally, I add sacred geometry symbols with a corona of universal languages: math, music or prayer.
This series is only available as 16"x24" in and edition of 5.
I shot these images with long exposures, capturing the earth's rotation on many. I lit the pieces with a flash, and used cyan, magenta and yellow glow sticks to add a layer of elemental symbols to the composition and I further focus those symbols in bronze, silver and gold. Finally, I add sacred geometry symbols with a corona of universal languages: math, music or prayer.
This series is only available as 16"x24" in and edition of 5.
Sacred Sculpture Project V
These images I made from a static tripod turning 360 in a circle to give a feeling of the entirety of the space surrounding each piece.
Sacred Sculpture Project VI
This series of images capture each piece at other times.
Sacred Sculpture Installation Video
As I revisit each installation I shoot documentary video of the approach, terrain and surroundings.
