Since the 20th century, and with the New Materialist turn, materials used within sculptural practice have been understood to have agency. Rocks holding together #5 continues to extend an understanding of abfunctional material possibilities in an artwork through the synchronous engagement of Pyrenees quartz (from the lands of the Dja Dja Wurrung) and glass. This work focusses on the glass bubble form shaped as a consequence of the two Pyrenees quartz rock formations come together. Here the glass reveals the pressure of the top rock as it was forced down onto the bottom rock, in addition to the rippled surface of the bottom rock which uncannily reflects light.
NTRO Output Category
- Original Creative Work : Visual artwork
Place
Melbourne, AustraliaVenue
Sarah Scout Presents, The Spring 1883 Art Fair, The Windsor Hotel, MelbourneNTRO Publisher
Sarah Scout PresentsStart Date
2023-08-09End Date
2023-08-12Medium
Pyrenees quartz (from the lands of the Dja Dja Wurrung) and glassResearch Statement
Since the 20th century, and with the New Materialist turn, materials used within sculptural practice have been understood to have agency. This sculptural work questions how the notion of abfunction (a neologism that identifies the move away from function in the outcomes and production of art), can invert expected material agency of glass, rock and air within sculptural practice.
Rocks holding together #5 continues to extend an understanding of abfunctional material possibilities in an artwork through the synchronous engagement of Pyrenees quartz (from the lands of the Dja Dja Wurrung) and glass. This work focusses on the glass bubble form shaped as a consequence of the two Pyrenees quartz rock formations come together. Here the glass reveals the pressure of the top rock as it was forced down onto the bottom rock, in addition to the rippled surface of the bottom rock which uncannily reflects light.
This artwork, was exhibited as a part of the group exhibition of the well respected commercial gallery, Sarah Scout Presents installation at Spring 1883, in the Windsor Hotel, Melbourne, 2023. This artwork was sold to a private collector. This series of artwork has been instrumental in the invitation to produce a solo exhibition at Heide Museum of Art, at the iconic McGlashan and Everist modernist house in 2026.Size or Duration of Work
40 x 30 x 30cmAffiliation
Simone Slee, University of Melbourne
