(fa)(cas)cade

Materials: Vintage Oil Painting, Hollywood Scenery Flat, Two Sandbags, Water Pump
4’ x 6’ x 7’
2018 

"(fa)(cas)cade" is an absurd sculpture occupying a space that lies somewhere between a Hollywood prop and a functioning fountain. It draws inspiration from various sources, including a scene in Buster Keaton's film "The Boat." In this scene, Keaton's character attempts to hang a seascape painting inside his boat, but his well-intentioned act leads to unexpected consequences as ocean water gushes out from behind the painting, flooding the boat. Another source of inspiration for this work is Rene Magritte's painting titled "La Cascade." Magritte cleverly juxtaposes the natural forest surroundings with the painted depiction of a forest on an easel creating a witty and surreal blend of representation and reality. "(fa)(cas)cade" combines these surreal and humorous influences with the visual construction of a typical scenic flat used in set design placing the work in a larger conversation about the production of illusion and the artifice constructed by Hollywood cinema.