Eighth Day”, 2008, at Messineo Art Projects & Wyman Contemporary; mixed media installation that consists of wall-drawings, spray-paintings, sculpture and two artist’s books.
“Man is not an end but a beginning. We are at the beginning of the second week. We are children of the eighth day”.
Thornton Wilder
The exhibition’s premise draws on the concept of the last century Russian philosopher Nikolai Berdiajev, in particular, his vision of the Third Epoch, which he refers to as the “Eighth Day of Creation”. He believes it to be the final chapter of universal history that includes humans and begins with their fall and expulsion from Paradise. The task of humanity, he maintains, is to re-create the world to its original state. He wonders about destiny, evolution, destruction and the inevitable transformation of mankind through creative actions. I have tried to weave some thoughts from an array of his writings into my work.
My other significant inspiration was Mark Twain’s “Diaries of Adam and Eve”. The images in sprays and books are loosely based on his texts. Tinged with tragedy and humor, they illustrate the turning points in the history of mankind. Their style pays homage to Keith Haring, who prophesied the beginning of the new paganism.
The core of the installation is a sculptural loop formed as the Mobius strip, which projects in space the figure eight - mathematical symbol of infinity. Along its surface the cutout shadows of soldiers are marching aimlessly between past and present, east and west, war and peace, trapped in a vicious circle.
The loop is flanked by the series of drawings, which reveal details of this venturous journey.
Julia Nitsberg
Draft 9/25/08