Charybdis

CHARYBDIS

List Visual Arts Center, MIT, Cambridge, MA.

Dimensions:
Aperture: 4′ x 12′ (122 x 366 cm.)
Interior: 16′ x 30′ x 40′ (488 x 914 x 1219 cm.)

Elements:
Cyclic red sun, Incremented sine wave, Elliptical whirlpool, Eternal flame, Animate blue spheres, Revolving gilt focal point, Suspended eclipsing disc, Shadow cyclone, Mineral terrain

Materials:
Air, Water, Incandescent light, Vermiculite, Flame, Vapor, Pigment, Aluminum, Steel, Rubber, Blowers, Motors, Pumps, Gold.

Charybdis presents the viewer with a large animate diorama; the work reveals itself in cyclic episodes. The scene is built into a panoramic curved space and viewed thorough a large horizontal aperture. As the cycle begins the void is dark; a dim ellipsoid sun appears red, slowly traveling across a deep Pompeian swirled atmosphere. This source of light grows in intensity and volume as it travels, reaching its maximum, head-on, dominating and illuminating the surreal landscape. A revolving gilt disc reflects creating a focal point.

The central physical component of Charybdis is the turbulent elliptical whirlpool. This liquid volume is charged – as if evil- it seethes. The opaque surface of the black water reflects red – the passage of the light across the panorama. The bottomless pool is perilous, as its center a flame burns. As the light travels, it is diminished; dissolving – ebbing, it eventually disappears. The scene is again dark and the cycle repeats itself ad infinitum.

The animated elements in this landscape are random energies, waxing and waning in the reflected light. The slow, calculated pace of the evolving work is both mesmerizing and threatening. There is the distinct sense of suspense, of imminent danger; of the precipice of chaos.