WaterWorks

1rst photo on left by Steven Edson

In a painting the artist attempts to establish an image that expresses a mood, feeling or concept. By building a sculpture underwater, to be experienced underwater, I am attempting to establish a multi-sensory image that expresses alternative ways of relating to space.

The fluid density of water enables the participant-viewer to access virtually every part of a form. The structure becomes a form to focus one's movement around. An interplay develops between the initiation of movement through the form and the various modes of awareness accompanying that movement. Within this interplay lies one of the keys to developing and enhancing somatosensory imagery.

There is a physicality inherent in sculpture making that carries over into sculpture viewing. Many of the decisions made in developing the Waterworks system seem to have had the effect of blurring the distinction between making sculpture and viewing it. The system has become a context within which to exercise aesthetic decision making. The viewer's level of involvement is close to that of the sculptor's. The viewer and the sculptor both explore the space, and both are afforded the opportunity to develop a body-image lexicon based on a shared experience.

A new WaterWorks project is under development. Click the image to find out more.