THE TREE OF LIFE:
OBSERVATIONS OF LIFE ON EARTH
Signs, symbols, pictures, and words
carved with fire into Sycamore bark
My idea was to create of a series of messages about the human race and life on Earth. In doing so I imagined my messages were destined for aliens in the furthest reaches of outer space, who knew nothing of our species, environs, science around us, emotions, psychology, and our theology. Thereby, informing our extraterrestrial friends about human science, art, philosophy, nature, communications, and more.
Honey Bees and Comb
Vitruvian Man with Hands of God
In an effort to make simple diagrams of the most cardinal elements of human life, I researched what turned out to be some of the primary constructs of Civilization. I was seeking the most elementary yet profound figures that I could transcribe with rudimentary wood-burning tools onto rough Sycamore bark “canvases.” In every case the incredibly packed meaning of the sign, symbol, or markings had to be easily inscribed through my pyroglyph process. For example, only minimal shading at best, and or usually absolutely none: What we reference as “line shots” in printing and printmaking.
Volcanoe
Camera Obscura
Space – Time Intersection
I became increasingly curious about the large pieces of thin bark sloughed off that I found underneath local Sycamore trees, which are so abundant in Seattle parks and parkways. After collecting suitable pieces I took the next step – to flatten them. I hydrated the pieces of bark, soaking them in a water bath for a few days until they softened up. Then drying the pieces under great pressure so they remained flat. Finally, I mounted the bark pieces onto boards, selecting a variety of species including but not limited to Oak, Cedar, and Pine. All of the panels in this section are made in this way; burning into the sycamore bark, a process I call “pyroglyphs.”
Caduceus
Flower of Life
Themes range from the ancient Caduceus to the most recent discovery of spin waves also known as Magnons. I created one illustrating the most famous mathematics formula ever, Einstein’s E=MC2; and another rather obscure mathematical formula by B.W. Betts in which he attempted to model human consciousness through geometry. Other themes included a representation of the first Camera Obscura, to the first four notes Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony – the most famous score ever. And many of my works include references to religion, philosophy, physics, and art.
Circle of Religions
DNA of Human Brain
Libertas: Statue of Liberty
Rose of Love
Tree of Life Site-specific Installation Proposal
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