Construction of 'Adapted'

The construction of my own light space installation to hang my exoskeletons in started with a renering on auto cad, which originally consisted of a space 24 x 16ft, curved in two ways. However the funds available to me would not be enough to achieve this. I happened upon an installation by THE NEW BARBARIANS, 1997–99 Translucent resin, fibreglass 79 x 69 x 137 cm (31 x 271/8 x 54 in) Infinity cove: Painted medium-ply board dimensions variable.

In this installation they have created an infinity cove which only had the main corners of the room curved, which seemed to be just as affective. Disappointedly using acrylic like 'Douglas Wheeler' was not an option for me so I set to work building my infinity room which would measure  8x16ft with a wooden baton infrastructurewith MDF and flexible MDF. Of course this means that mine would never be as perfect as some of the spaces I have looked at, although it should still be quite effective.

Artist Statement.

TEMMAH.

Title: ADAPT.

4/9/2015 : 6-9 pm

 

 

 

Integral to the pursuit of understanding, human beings extend themselves - combining flesh with machine to excel beyond limitations, we progress, struggling to adapt to new parameters. This co-existence is not necessarily one of harmony; as tensions build we remain flesh and bone, only displaced from our bodies.

These exoskeletons were produced over the duration of one year and designed to apply to my body, moving with it and producing gestures. Orchestrated from an emotional starting point as the result of past traumatic experiences I embody these feelings. I aimed to treat my body as unable/obsolete, creating friction between body control and exoskeletons in the pursuit to leave marks at events in different locations.

As the exoskeletons’ developed more opposing forces were added giving them their own sense of autonomy. It became clear that not only were they becoming extended flesh, but something far more interesting. We were juxtaposed beings co-existing through my movements; these devices were given their own lifespan. Now isolated from their original surroundings they exist displaced from me. Without flesh what is their identity?