Thursday, October 10, 2013

"Leverage for the Pour"

Artist: Kirstin Johnson , 2006
Medium: Ceramic, Wire, String & Paper


"Leverage for the Pour" is a piece about impoverished nations, communities, and individuals who struggle for access to the resources required for their survival and prosperity.

The resource depicted in this sculptural mixed media piece is water, specifically contained in an earthen pitcher which is jagged and deformed like an ancient artifact. The small wire people, who's design was inspired by Guatemalan worry dolls, lack the instruments or machinery to easily tip or scale the large pitcher for access to its contents.

Consider the following examples:
An undeveloped nation may have an abundance of oil, gemstones, ores, water or other precious natural resources but not have the economic or technological backing to gain access to their treasures.



A troubled society could be the heir to ancient spiritual wisdom which, if they could tap into it, would offer guidance or insight into resolving the conflict amongst its people, but a change in language, political intolerance, or religious suppression might make this legacy of truth almost entirely inaccessible.

For individuals who are very poor, daily survival takes precedence over education and self-betterment. Without the opportunity to learn or express themselves creatively, depression, frustration, and despair can take hold.

The labour is arduous for the simple figures in this piece, and it produces little in the way of results. However, when people, communities, and nations work together, their cumulative leverage may become enough to reach the activation threshold and to tap into the intrinsic enthalpy of the universe. Original Post: May 8, 2008

3 comments:

TDEC said...

This is an incredible work of art, so eloquent. Thanks for sharing!

FRANCESCA said...

Thank you td-but I can't take all the credit for it! ;) - a great art piece, complex in it's simplicity.

Joyce said...

Fascinating and beautiful!