Ian Gwilt: Foldergarden
Artist(s):
Title:
- Foldergarden
Exhibition:
Creation Year:
- 2010-2011
Category:
Artist Statement:
Foldergarden utilizes the computer desktop folder as a visual signifier for pervasive digital technologies. The folder shapes are used to contest the relationship between aspects of traditional and contemporary culture, in particular around notions of natural and synthetic forms. Based upon the concept of the rock garden (Karesansui), or ‘dry landscape’ garden, this work looks at the Japanese symbolic representation of nature through landscape. However, in this case, the natural elements such as stones and trees are replaced with rapid prototype sculptural models of desktop folder icons.
Folders of differing scale and colour are carefully placed in raked sand, as in the traditional conventions of the rock garden. By placing rapid prototypes in this context the work attempts to draw a link between the ‘combined’ fabrication of nature and technology. The fabrication of nature as represented by the raked sand is juxtaposed by the plastic models of desktop folder icons, a fabricated representation of digital technology.
Through these contemplative abstractions the audience is encouraged to view the work as both a technological and naturalistic construct.
