Tools of Mass Consumption • 2015
Cafe Amarcord • 276 Main Street
If I were better with words I would be a writer or a poet. If I could sing or play music, I would convey my thoughts in some melodic form we could all tap our foot to. For whatever reason, I choose to tell stories through sculptures. Through sculpture I want to illustrate my interpretation of the life experience and shared commonalities of human thought, emotion and irony that occupy our days. I seek understanding by searching the clues that exist in every living thing and object we interact with. The path of humanity is in constant motion. The here and now connects the past and future. It’s worth analyzing our place in the world with humor and objectivity without taking ourselves too seriously thereby enjoying what we have.
Every object created possesses some aspect of its creator. The use of tools has long been considered to be the thing that separates us from other animals. The complex evolution of our tool-making has coincided with our development of a civilized society. Nothing exemplifies this more than our everyday eating utensils – the knife, spoon and fork. These specialized tools have become an essential part of not only nourishing our bodies by have also become an integral part of the social ritual of meal time and are symbolic of the human dialectic.
The KNIFE is symbolic of division. Division can be a force which creates animosity or distrust. Division can also be beneficial by allowing larger tasks and concepts to be broken down into manageable pieces such as in a division of labor.
The SPOON is an element of support. Support is typically construed as being compassionate in the process of growth and developing self-reliance. Over-reliance on support achieves the exact opposite of that intended goal.
The FORK represents inquiry. It is a tool that is designed to securely hold and manipulate food so that it may be devoured all at once or held in place to be delicately examined and consumed bit by bit. Inquisitiveness is necessary in the development of awareness. The negative connotation of holding an inquisition is one in which only more questions are presented for an already predetermined answer.