This piece concentrates on carbon’s direct link to everything living and its eventual demise. The helmet’s three dimensional form floats above the flat cartoon landscape behind. The piece invites the viewer to interact by having dual images of the live astronaut and his deceased remains that can only be revealed as they move around the piece. The astronaut floats over a decayed and lifeless version of the Earth as a warning that changes must be made if we are to preserve our home in its current state.

The element carbon can be found in its’ most base state as coal or when mined from deep in the earth as diamonds.  Fire also releases carbon through the manufacturing process and when any item is burned.  My interpretation was to show the contrast between the two states of coal in addition to represent the benefits and harms that occur when coal is ignited.  The inside of the mask has a fire image that can be seen reflected in the mirror behind the mask.  The diamonds represent tears that the earth sheds as we continue to leave a trail of waste and debris represented in the items trapped in the resin surrounding the mask.  The hope is that the next generations may see our potential legacy and strive to preserve and potentially reverse the damage done by our more ignorant past. In addition, the mirror behind the mask can unsettle the viewer if they use their peripheral vision to see their eyes reflected in the mirror.

“Fall” will be on display at Water Street Studio‘s 2013 Winter Show starting January 18th through the 31st.