“Bye-Polar Ice” – Jenkins Arts

Bye-Polar Ice

The Chinese character for man rests inactively on the floor. A 12’ long graphite fishing pole blank is attached to the inactive character and arcs gracefully under the weight of the magnet. This magnet is attached by a single thread to the end of the pole suspended just above the Tip of the Iceberg. As the ice melts the gilt(guilt) pins embedded in the ice; in a very singular fashion at first, wiggle free from the ice bond and then suddenly leap across the gap and are captured by the magnetic field. Not a great leap of faith by any stretch of the imagination.

The sculpture moves subtly as these interactions occur. As more and more of the ice melts the boundaries of Antarctica are left exposed. Over time the gilt(guilt) pins oxidize and the piece is “Laid to Rust”.

The sculpture is comprised of several distinct elements selected and combined to best illustrate a deeply embedded and connective narrative. The list of materials include…

The Chinese character for Man fabricated from scrap 1” thick plasma cut high strength steel. The material was found in a local scrap yard.
A steel shoemakers last. It is attached to the Chinese character and may be representative of our Carbon Footprint.
A 12’ long graphite fishing pole blank. Fishing for an answer perhaps.
80# Test braided fishing line. This is not a test.
Brass chain for adjusting the distance between the ice and the magnetic field.
The inevitable chain of events.
(1) fishing hook sans barb. It may suggest the misinformation we are easily hooked into.
(1) Industrial strength rare earth magnet. How rare it is? I’ve never had one this powerful. It was a gift.
Hundreds of common pins for stitching things up. The container describes the pins as gilt because of their color. I suggest they may be representative of a collective guilt.
A pyramid of ice approximately 7” x 7” x 7” with the collective guilt pins captured inside.
A brass cut-out of the geographic boundary of Antarctica.
A 2”H x 16”W x 16”L clear Plexiglas box with 5 sides only to contain the water from the ice melt. It may be suggestive of the clear thinking that is required to see the problems clearly and be mindful of thinking outside of it.