Monthly Art: August 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1992 Devil Reborn (wall object)
Plastic, lacquer on polymer clay

9 1/2" high x 6 3/4" x 1 3/4" deep

2021

$60 + shipping 

SOLD

 

This wall object involves a (now damaged/one-horned) devil's head that was part of a small object I made in 1992 called "Boxteutisch", which in turn was part of a bigger installation at "Kunstbergwerk". This was a show put on by us art students at - and sponsored by - Saarbergwerke, the important coal mining company of Saarbruecken, Germany. In preparation for the show, we went down into the coal mines, and rode on carts on tracks deep underground in tunnels so low you could only ride lying flat on your stomach. It was a claustrophobic experience, but fascinating. What impressed itself upon me most was the ever-present coal dust that workers (and we) had to scrub off of their bodies and clothes once they re-surfaced. Hence several of the objects I made employed scrubbing brushes.

 

Saarbergwerke financed a great little catalog. At the art opening, our Professor and the Saarland Museum's Chief Curator spoke; but also a member of the mining company's Board of Directors. He spoke of the mine workers' thoughts on the art. There was an interesting exchange going on between the young artists at the freshly founded art school based on Bauhaus ideas, and the "blue collar" workers working this risky profession so integral to the region's history and traditions.

 

Of course today more than ever, we see mining professions in the light of environmental destruction. But it's important to remember what mining meant (and still means) to whole generations of families, as we all transition to a new, "re-born" understanding of humanity's relationship with natural resources.

 

Recently combing through the many boxes of art left behind when I moved from Germany to NYC, I had to downsize. The little devil's head spoke to me. It's alive again.

Glueck auf everybody! That's the traditional mine worker's greeting, literally states "Luck up", and probably means that you are wishing the workers 1) they will find lots of precious materials like coal, ore etc and 2) they will come back up to daylight safely.