When I first moved to Boston in 1979 I took a ferry ride to George's Island.
On the way we passed hundreds of plastic fisherman's floats.
I always wondered what they were fishing for.
On the way we passed hundreds of plastic fisherman's floats.
I always wondered what they were fishing for.
"Go Fish "
Above: "Go Fish" 100 plastic floats each labeled with a fish species inhabiting Boston Harbor.
Approx: 50'-0' x 12'-0"
Approx: 50'-0' x 12'-0"
While the shape above, formed by the plastic floats, describe "fish;" it in no way informs us of the enormous diversity of what is below the surface. In bright florescent red this artwork shows that signs and symbols can be used to direct as well as hide; and, mask as well as portray experience and information. This piece continues my work with symbols and my interest in how they can confuse as well as inform; hide as well as describe. Symbols are used throughout our society to direct and inform.
However, they can mask real experience by hiding the individuality of the subject or flatten our sense of reality behind a stylized generic. For example: as the international symbol for women ( the little girl image on the bathroom door ) has become more and more accepted it has become less and less descriptive of how women dress and feel about themselves. In this piece I use fisherman's floats as the vehicle to illustrate this issue.