| The Arc of Science bronze, proposed scale; 6 meter high John Van Alstine
General Theme “Sisyphean Circle – The Arc of Science” – is an optimistic portrayal of People and Nature and a celebration of global resourcefulness. This proposed sculpture celebrates international cooperation - both in appreciating the beauty of nature that enriches our lives, and our global ability, intelligence and creativity to use natural science to overcome adversity. In Greek mythology Sisyphus was banished to forever to roll a large stone to the top of the mountain, only to have it roll back – his task was never ending. As the world struggles with the pandemic (a negative side of nature) we are all confronted with the symbolic task of pushing our stone upward, a seemingly unending task as we deal with the new realities that have been thrown in our path. In late 2020 many countries, including China and the US, celebrate their “peoples” collective scientific achievement that has resulted in the creation and distribution of a vaccine. My proposed work underscores this international “Sisyphean task” by referencing the famous quote by the American civil rights pioneer Martin Luther King, "Let us realize the arc of the moral universe is long but it bents toward justice", with my inscription “The Arc of Covid is Long - but bends toward Science”, as we all push for a better, brighter future.
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“PASSAGE-STRAINER” bronze, proposed scale; 6-8 meters high John Van Alstine
General Theme: “PASSAGE/STRAINER” – an optimistic portrayal of People and Nature and a celebration of global resourcefulness General Theme: My work is an optimistic statement of international cooperation - both in appreciating the beauty of nature that enriches our lives, and our global ability, intelligence and creativity to skillfully navigate a “ passage” around nature's hazards and dangers when they appear. Sculpture Specifics: “PASSAGE / STRAINER” contains two major elements; • a stylized “vessel” or boat form, historically understood in art and literature as a symbol for the self, a group of people, even all human kind. • a “strainer” in the form of a fallen tree branch - symbolizing nature. In art, the act of navigating a river is often a metaphor for life, whether for utilitarian travel/transport or for water sports such as kayaking or river canoeing. A “strainer ” is an underwater obstacle or natural hazard – that can pose much danger to the participants if they are not skillful. In our current world, where nature is both beautiful and dangerous (as in the effects of climate change or the current world wide pandemic) intelligence, resourcefulness and skill of the people worldwide will “steer our vessel” around the dangers and make clear “passage” to a brighter, safer future.
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strainer
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“Sisyphean Circle – The Arc of Truth”
“Sisyphean Circle – The Arc of Truth” – an optimistic portrayal of People and Nature and a celebration of global resourcefulness. General Theme: This proposal sculpture celebrating international cooperation - both in appreciating the beauty of nature that enriches our lives, and our global ability, intelligence and creativity to use natural science to overcome adversity In Greek mythology Sisyphus was banished to forever to roll a large stone to the top of the mountain, only to have it roll back – his task was never ending. As the world struggles with the pandemic (a negative side of nature) we are all confronted with the symbolic task of pushing our stone upward, a seemingly unending task as we deal with the new realities that have been thrown in our path. In late 2020 many countries, including China and the US, celebrate their “peoples” collective scientific achievement that has resulted in the creation and distribution of a vaccine. My proposed work underscores this international “Sisyphean task” by referencing the famous quote by the American civil rights pioneer Martin Luther King, "Let us realize the arc of the moral universe is long but it bents toward justice", with my inscription; “THE LONG ARC of COVID BENDS TOWARDS TRUTH”.
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