I Am The Sun

2021

24” x 24” x 36”

concrete, LED grow light, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, rebar, soil

Humans have been practicing domestication for thousands of years. Animals across the globe are psychologically trained and genetically altered in order to stoke this fire of goods and services. But this domestication extends beyond livestock and house pets. Plants, soil, weather, humans, etc. are all exploited to produce capital. Rivers are dammed for drinking water. Rocks that have existed for millions of years are quarried. Plants are hybridized and sold into the landscape industry. Humankind has shown that they believe the planet and its critters belong to them and are resources to fuel their lifestyles.

Around 3000 years ago, humans invented concrete as a material to manipulate the environment. This material stands the test of time; Roman concrete aqueducts from 2000 years ago are still upright today.

In this work, a concrete rectangular prism measuring 24” x 36” was crafted. The interior of the vessel is hollowed out. Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) is contained (domesticated) within the vessel.

Virginia creeper is a climbing vine native to the eastern United States. It has five leaves that radiate from the petiole. It is a hardy grower, often seen scaling buildings and sprouting in sidewalk cracks.

Like every other critter on Earth, survival is the ultimate goal and the Earth will respond to any effort of domestication. Over time, the vine adapts and reorients itself to its surroundings – eventually breaking the threshold of the concrete enclosure and reclaiming its autonomy.