Fluxus Box
Artist Statement:
The basis of this project began with an
analyzation of the movie, and hence the story, of Into the Wild. I was drawn to the natural elements of the movie
including: earth tones, the ebb and flow of landscapes, and the countless number
of trees. Paired with the natural world, ideas of finding and recognizing the
self in a clashing world of man-made materials, and the environment strongly
guided my intentions for my Fluxus box.
For the vessel, I decided to create a log. I took processed wood and reclaimed it into its original form—a cut tree. As the word “wood” is what a cut down and processed tree is called, I found it pertinent to recognize the idea of nature taken by man and renamed. Working in the wood shop, I cut plywood in descending sizes to eventually sand down into a rounded shape. I used a jigsaw to cut a rectangular hole for the log to hold my objects.
The objects are reminicient of personal experience as well as cultural experience. Specifically, the booklet entitled, “How to Forage for not Only Food, but for the Essence of One’s Being on the Wild Alaskan Frontier” is a meditation on feeding the soul. No matter the location, all people need to find their sense of self within their environment. Sometimes it feels like the search is on the wild Alaskan frontier, vast and impossible. The loom weaving of plant material, fiber, and a USD 1-dollar bill reflect loom weavings of Native Americans. Money is woven into the loom as a reflection of the government interfering with the sacred lands of Native Americans all in the name of revenue.
Reflecting through the process of creating the Fluxus box, the intentions of creating a piece that deals with the dueling worlds of nature and man turned into a meditation on searching and plundering. Sometimes people pit themselves against others, sometimes nature is on the opposing team. The constant battle between preserving either culture or land are both important topics that effect all and will take all to change.
For the vessel, I decided to create a log. I took processed wood and reclaimed it into its original form—a cut tree. As the word “wood” is what a cut down and processed tree is called, I found it pertinent to recognize the idea of nature taken by man and renamed. Working in the wood shop, I cut plywood in descending sizes to eventually sand down into a rounded shape. I used a jigsaw to cut a rectangular hole for the log to hold my objects.
The objects are reminicient of personal experience as well as cultural experience. Specifically, the booklet entitled, “How to Forage for not Only Food, but for the Essence of One’s Being on the Wild Alaskan Frontier” is a meditation on feeding the soul. No matter the location, all people need to find their sense of self within their environment. Sometimes it feels like the search is on the wild Alaskan frontier, vast and impossible. The loom weaving of plant material, fiber, and a USD 1-dollar bill reflect loom weavings of Native Americans. Money is woven into the loom as a reflection of the government interfering with the sacred lands of Native Americans all in the name of revenue.
Reflecting through the process of creating the Fluxus box, the intentions of creating a piece that deals with the dueling worlds of nature and man turned into a meditation on searching and plundering. Sometimes people pit themselves against others, sometimes nature is on the opposing team. The constant battle between preserving either culture or land are both important topics that effect all and will take all to change.
Inside A Log, Plywood, Wood Glue, Oak Branches, Embroidery Floss, Paper, Ink, Fabric, Mirror, USD, Twine, 15.7"X 7"X 7"
Research:
Lenka Clayton
George Maciunas
Marcel Duchamp
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