The Black Shield is the latest in a series of shield-works, and the largest in size. The piece is worked in hydrocal plaster over wire and is finished with a black pigment. The rich, dark surface does not catch any reflections, but seems to suck the surrounding light into an existence as form. It balances on the ground and reaches up like a flower, a plant and indicates an inside that is almost like a half open cocoon and would allow a human body to find room, curled up, tucked in.
With a surface like black bone or an armor plate, the Black Shield shares the potential of a shadow; its presence indicates and defines form, but it intrigues with a hidden presence, a meaning that it does not share. It plays with our sense of gravity and confronts us with its 'being there'.
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1 element, hydrocal plaster over wire, pigment; 68” x 54” x 28” (172 x 137 x 70 cm)
» see also "Five Shadows"
June 2007 – Copyright Vanessa Paschakarnis
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