A Play, With Light: Wardian case No1
A Play, With Light: Wardian case No1
A Play, with Light is a ploy to set the stage within the sculpture with a narrative to simply save energy everyday by turning off lights that are not need. The concept was inspired by taking photographs with low light levels as the sun rose - yet everything is visible as shown in the panoramic landscape of Joya: AiR an off-grid residency in Spain. The photograph is mounted on a curved metal and is housed inside the Wardain case to create the stages backdrop. This type of case could be seen as an ark, a vessel to preserve life The plant collectors who designed them discovered the hard way that the plant’s ecosystem was vital for their survival, They realized that the plants need good air ventilation, be housed in separate compartments so that the pH levels of the soil could not mix and that it was vital for the plants to be protected from the sun and sea salt on their long journey home on the deck of a ship. Drawing parallel comparisons with the needs of the plants in the Wardian case and with every living thing on earth its now time to set our stage for our survival and the future of the planet.
This sculpture was created during the first lockdown of 2020, a time of disbelief and what seemed like a never ending mountain of fear and anticipation. Defining a world in a dream like state, in a river of thoughts as if in a permanent daydream of a continuous experiment. Harebrained as this may seem, this absurd time was our daily reality and yet unthinkable prior to the pandemic. The white cushion hints at this, hanging from its light pendent, innocence combined with a nonsensical sense of extravagance. Fashioned from the recycled fabric of a child’s skirt, introducing the human aspect to the sculpture with frills that bring to mind a flamenco dancer and a Spanish heritage. The concept for the cushion came from the idea of a lap tray or tray cushion that might rest on a patient’s legs as an aid to balance a meal. The padded tray implies protection for the contents of the suspended Wardian case, which contains the precious plants that were needed to be cared for.
This Play, With Light is a stage where turning off the light is to become second nature as we acknowledge that what we abuse may not be so easy to defuse.
Main image: looking into Wardian case through the air went.
Thumbnails:
Side view of Wardian case
Landscape of Joya: AiR
Under the sculpture showing light pendent and tray cushion
Materials: Photograph mounted on a curved metal mount, reclaimed wood and fabric, light pendent, chain and hook.
Dimension: 80h x 60w x 96d cm. Year 2020
05/05/2020
Title A Play, With Light - Wardian case No.1 (front)
Title A Play, With Light - Wardian case No.1 (back)