work in progress p1 evolution

WOK IN PROGRESS - TRAVAUX EN COURS - LAVORI IN CORSO - ARBEITSVORGANG

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Started:

Last update: Sept 18 - See bottom of page

Finished:

June 20, 2003

: "Creative Evolution" - Acrylic and collage of computer circuits on wood panel - (110x150cm)

Sept. 1, 2003

The idea

While taking apart several electronic computers and other instruments I came upon the control panel of an old recorder - My friend Gigi said it looked like mechanical fingers. Then came the idea: I thought of another finger! The creation by Michelangelo at the Sistine Chapel - Adam extending his finger to receive life. Somebody or something created man - but man created electronics. So why not combine both.

To understand better where I was coming from you should visit the pages showing some of my former modern art works using computer pieces.

I should slightly modify Michelangelo's Adam (no offence!)so that his right hand would show a finger extended pointing toward the mechanical hand (image on right).
Then I thought of the DNA which might have evolved man as much as some God created it. I made a photo computer model (shown left)with the DNA coming out of God's hand and many varied computer electronic boards going around under Adam's body, with wiring coming down from above. Then the circle of creation is complete. The name of the piece however came to me as "Creative Evolution".

The size of it all had to be about 110cm high and 150 cm wide, since I could not change the size of the electronic and mechanical pieces, and the proportions required such a size.

Execution

I cut the wood panel to 110x150 and started drawing Adam with one of his right fingers extended.
Suddenly I thought that Darwin should be part of the total picture. I found a good photo on Internet and sketched it on the board just below god's arm. (see far right and below)
You may click on Darwin face to enlarge it.

Since I am basically atheist and particularly anti-creationist, I decided to wrap the DNA around God's arm and extend it toward Adam's sex. The DNA spiral should appear to imprison God's arm like with barbed wire. (Click on the image at right)

The mechanical hand should be positioned on the wood panel so that the metal fingers get close to the surface of the panel. I had to cut a hole in the panel to be able to place the mechanical piece somewhat down inside the panel and adjust its height above it. This is only one of the advantages to use wood panel (in addition to the reduced overall cost).

Now was the time to decide on the colour tone of Adam's body. Maybe I should make his face plain white. What about making God's arm that of a black person? Darwin might better remain black pencilled on white background. I shall see as the work progresses. Aesthetic considerations shall play a significant role.

All the above was done between June 20 and July 7 at which time my interest moved to 2 new pieces "Fear" and "Eject" which took all my time.
As I write this we are July 26 and hopefully I'll start working again on this.

We are on August 11 - for about a week I am working again on this project. At some point I decided to paint god's arm like a plaster piece; then I thought that if it was enough to make the distinction between life and fantasy, it was not enough to oppose evolution to creation. So I first broke it in4 pieces, then I blew small pieces away from it like with an explosion. No offence to anyone. This is just my personal view of creation, and I am the artist in charge here.

Aug. 13
Here is where I stand.
Computer printed circuits and CD-ROMs with connecting coloured wires were added. Protein spirals are in the embryo upper right. The arm of god is wraped in the DNA double helix which extends down toward Adam sex.
Darwin keeps looking.

Sept. 1st

I think it is completed.

Click on it to enlarge.
Hope you like it.