Enigma

Date2008

MediumVHS tapes, floppy discs, slides, cassette tapes, wood, oil paint, polyurethane, aluminum paint, text

Dimensions107" x 112"

ClassificationsWall Relief

Credit LinePurchased with funds from Richard Sonenklar, Ruth Rattner, Kresge Foundation, Al Kurt, Joe and Jean Hudson, Dykema Gossett and Dante Stella, Dennis Nwrocki, Diane Sybeldon, Sharon Zimmerman, Doug Koschik, Greg Randall and Keith Ridler, Mike Ballweg, Dr. Donald Schurlknight, Bill Korte and Robert Tighe, 2011

Object numberUAC5242

DescriptionArtist Statement:

This piece came as a reaction to an accumulating mass of outmoded means of entertainment/technology. Trying to figure out what to do with these dated consumer products - an art piece resulted that made a statement about the rampant disregard for the natural resources needed to make these products and the wasteful ethic of the times, yet still dealt with abstract principles and painting.

The repetitive elements, and color created an abstract piece of a certain geometric order and repetition. At first the full meaning of the piece usually eludes the viewer. Upon closer inspection the materials used become evident. The angled structure derives from the math symbol for greater than.With the addition of the wording, a question is formed: Is the past greater than the future or the future greater than the past? Has man through his greed and ever consumptive use of natural resources doomed the earth or is there hope for a turn around? A secondary aspect to this piece is that not only are we discarding our natural resources, but with them much of our social history, be it personal, musical, data, or film.