I was looking at Chinese Tang Dynasty horses. This piece was conceived when the US was having "debates" about whether to invade Iraq. I put quotes around debate because the whole thing was so obviously manipulated--the "weapons of mass destruction" or any 911 connection.
The "bomb-blossom" on the horse represented the moment before the deadly decision was made: how the bomb could instead be a blossom of awareness, could of turned into something else.
It's weight is carried by an animal that represents beauty and intuition.
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| Camel Pull-Toy |
See previous posts "Pull-Toys" and "Mosaic with Fabric"
"Topsy 1903"
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| Topsy 1903 |
I unexpectedly saw the footage, by Thomas Edison, of his execution of the elephant Topsy in 1903. It was such a profoundly disturbing and evil act, and I made this piece in homage to Topsy.
Thomas Edison was attempting to prove the dangers of AC current, and after the elephant had killed three trainers- including one who tried to feed her a lit cigarette- Edison was happy to electrocute her to help prove his point.
I subsequently learned that he also electrocuted dogs and cats as well as cows and horses. How many school children are taught this? We learn about the great inventor and his genius, another hero of American ingenuity. We are told to be proud.
Suppressing the 'dark side' of Edison is an example of how National Identity itself is mythologized, conveniently omitting what is destructive and abusive. Then it becomes possible to project that dark side onto "the other".
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| Topsy 1903 |