Proof of Work ( aka: EndGame ) Sculpture

Mixed Media: A slow motion video projection ( with sound ) of an industrially abused and mistreated tin 1970's educational globe is beamed onto a reformed Arctic Ice sheet that is supported by two heavy steel chains that are fixed to the ceiling above. In terms of connotation, the piece reflects on humanity's cumulative inability to come to terms with global warming, whilst at a deeper psychological level it is an exploration of cycles, transitions and change. The use of glacial ice as a medium is entirely contemporary and extends the already lengthy debates surrounding art in the age of mass production initiated by Walter Benjamin in theory and exploited so successfully by Andy Warhol in practice. The piece requires regular maintenance and the melt-cycle is approximately 80 minutes at room temperature - where the ice sheet collapses and requires to be replaced with a fresh sheet from the freezer ( which is supplied with the work, along with a handful of ice trays for forming and reforming the melt water, which is collected in a steel tray placed below the work for maintenance ) Handling the ice is a spiritual experience, and drilling the holes in the sheets for mounting requires precision and care. Fresh supplies of arctic ice / water are also supplied, and it should be understood that the ice sheets will be in a constant state of transition as long as the ambient temperature surrounding it is set above zero degrees 'C. The title-options reflect two possible interpretations of the piece, with Proof of Work relating to the SHA-256 hashcash algorithm driving Bitcoin and the astonishing level of power consumed by the vast banks of computers which compete across the globe to make the latest additions to the blockchain in a speculative pursuit of monetary gain, whilst EndGame infers a call to reflect on the anthropocene and the planet's ability to slip through humanity's careless grasping hands ... The video is 3 minutes 50 seconds in duration and runs on a continuous loop. The piece comes complete with a new InFocus 2126 projector complete with stand and HDMI / SD card media player, as well as a hand-drill and selected drill-bits, along with gloves and 24 spare wood-pins for the chain-support system ( which can be set at any length to present the ice at eye-level ) A small fridge freezer and an accompanying cool-box can also be provided upon request. Voltages are 240V ( UK ) but all the electrical elements can be supplied as 120V ( US ) upon request. Given the unusual nature of the piece I am happy to engage in dialogue prior to sale and can supply videos of the piece in-situ, where it has gained a considerable degree of interest. I'm also prepared to travel and assist in the installation of the work, in order that it may be displayed in its proper context ( subject to a remuneration of expenses ) * In terms of description, I would list more materials in the system ( above ) but it doesn't have the scope for things like 'water' or 'ice' - which illustrates the fact that the work is best-suited to the serious collector who enjoys owning a piece that sits at the vanguard of the now ( ... and of course, you have the option to leave the ice in a state of absence once it has melted ... )

Sculpture:Environmental on Sound

Original:One-of-a-kind Artwork

Size:13.4 W x 78.7 H x 1.6 D in

Delivery Time:Typically 5-7 business days for domestic shipments, 10-14 business days for international shipments.