Almost Like a Whale, phase 1, in the project space of S.C.E.N.E. 5 e.v.

                            Plaster, plastic, fabric, wool. 2 x 2 x 4m.

This is the first stage of a work in progress which I intend

to build on. I aim to build a site specific installation,

building the sculpture into the space as an integrated

part of the room with a giant spinal column running

down the centre of the floor. On the floor, and spreading

up the walls, a mass of blue veins made of fabric and

knitted red capillaries, forming a carpet, interweaving with

each other and extending across the floor space and up

the walls to the ceiling, separated into segments and

wrapped in clear plastic to represent muscle bundles.

   The coverage won’t be solid, leaving the possibility of crossing

   the room towards the next room with a ‘heart’, a dark brown,

   veined, heart-shaped seat. The space will be framed within a

   curve suggesting the outer flesh. I would like to have mainly

   red lighting in this room.

   In the next room I would like to have stereographs hung low

   above the heart ‘seat’ so viewers are invited to sit on it and look

   through the stereographs showing images of paradise. A

   stereograph is a small viewing device which just about creates

   an  optical illusion in 3 dimensions. The ones I will use are ‘View-

   masters’, 4 in all, showing 7 images each. It seems appropriate

   to show images of paradise in sets of seven. I have invited other

   contemporary artists and filmmakers to contribute images

   depicting their personal idea of paradise in addition to showing

   some of the religious images from antiquity which have helped

   to reinforce stereotypical paradise imagery.

 Detail of 'muscle bundles'.