HYLOZOIC SERIES: SIBYL

18th Biennale of Sydney

Sydney, Australia - 2012

Sibyl was presented as part of the 18th Biennale of Sydney from June 27 - September 16, 2012. The work was installed within a massive basilica-like hall of stone and metal trusswork lying within a historic shipbuilding complex on Cockatoo Island within the harbour of Sydney. The space of the sculpture intersected a high, central passage and reached back into a recess that provided a shelter of darkness and quiet. Rivers of delicate hexagonal skeleton filters reached high overhead and spiraled down to surround an intimate room within the centre.

Groves of meshwork columns framed the darkened inner end of this space. Scented wicks and glands attracted visitors to the lower details of these columns, detailed with delicate glass spines that glow in response to approaching visitors. Shivering patterns of vibration and rustling sound moved upward when individual clusters were stimulated by viewers. Reaching outward toward a public entry oriented to the central hall, layers of undulating seaweed-like filter clusters housed protocell flasks. At the uppermost levels, lying just below the roof trusses that enclosed the space, clusters of gauze bladders opened and closed in rolling, tide-like motions, responding to the larger movements of viewers below.

The space was used as a prison and reformatory prior to its industrial use. The fragile detailing contrasts to the primal qualities of the surroundings.

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