The Boat

Installation.

Wood, dry fish, 5 video monitors video clip.

W: 51" H: 48" D: 128". years: 1997 - 1998

 

THE BOAT is a three-meter hanging installation, a "lifeboat" whose body is constructed of dried dead fish. Five video monitors facing upwards within the boat, showing underwater footage of fish swimming by, highlight the frequent confusion of illusion and reality. The viewer is challenged to separate illusion from experience.

Media relates to immediate surroundings in it's own way. Perception of the world itself and the politics that govern the world are two separate issues. The problem arises when the two merge into one narrating context, dictating the perception of surroundings through what is seen.

We simply do not know everything that surrounds us at any particular moment. The version that media may want to present can be distorted. Our experiences are limited, due to our physical nature, and we cannot verify all, which is presented to us by media, through personal contact. Thus, what we may perceive as reality is in fact an illusion of it presented by someone throughthe use of the media.

We are running the risk of replacing reality with yet another fiction. History and fiction may then be emerging as one thing. We cannot allow media to become our fictitious reality.

 

Photos: The Boat

 

video: The Boat