CROSSCURRENTS
Eyeing early industrial buildings from a
distance, I am drawn to their simple
angular geometric forms. Coming closer,
I get strong conflicting reactions in the
presence of these dilapidated, mostly
abandoned buildings. Their surfaces are
marked, textured, and stained recording
the actions of natural elements and the
passage of time. These surfaces evoke
being in Japan; the calm of submerging in
a culture that reveres beauty in the
evidence
of impermanence.
Same buildings, a crosscurrent of tension
is triggered. My focus on the beautiful
traces of time and the elements dissolves
to disturbing signs of human industry.
Greasy spills soil the depleted earth I am
standing on. Surrounding the buildings still
in use, the air is laden with fumes and
choking particulate.
Half circular geometric forms, Quonset huts,
military buildings constructed during WWII.
They too display rich vestiges of time and
atmospheric conditions. My prevailing
response, however, takes the direction of
a stream of memories. Images arise from
black and white short documentary films
in which war seems like a game. Boys
bedroom wallpaper, pajamas, and shiny
metal lunch boxes sport jaunty war motifs.
click image to enlarge
whispers . slight scare . no
rumblings . rumors . garbled news
shadow . shiver . doubt