Hive
2014
Casting takes a form and than reproduces it as an imitation. When thinking about this idea of reproduction as an imitation of the original, I began to think about how in some groups or societies, people try to fit into the mold or form themselves into a copy of the ideal human. This can be seen in mass media, on college campuses and in churches.
For my final project I wanted to explore this bandwagon effect, where people follow the ideal and then become clones or imitations of the leader. I chose to look at the bee because of the function of the hive or grist. Many bees are reproduced from the queen bee to the become drones or worker bees to continue fixing, nurturing and making the hive function. The bee is also historically significant because of its reference in many renaissance paintings and sculpture. The bee was the symbol for Pope Urban VII. Pope Urban VII was not well liked by the general public but he used his money and power to finance the arts and then persuade the public through this propaganda. His symbol can be found in many influential pieces of art and sculpture.
The bee also represents community. All of the bees work together for one cause even though there is one clear leader, the queen bee. Bees also reflect society today, they are constantly busy, hence a commonly used phrase today “busy bee”.
For the sculpture I used bronze and clay. The bronze was casted, making a reproduction that appears very precious. This process also has a strong base in art history as a high form of craft used for very important pieces made for important people. The rest of the bees I made from a mold of clay. The clay represents a lower form of craft. The clay bees are trying to be bronze but they are not. Clay is also known for its malleability and ephemerality, as if the imitations are constantly changing and over turning. The bees are arranged in a pyramid, with a gradient from bronze to worst crafted. The clay bees appear to be following the “ideal” bronze bee. The pyramid also represents the often hierarchical system of societies, with the “perfect” popular people on top and the outcast on bottom.
I installed the pyramid in two locations: outside of a church and on a college campus. I installed it outside of a church to bring attention to the bandwagon effect and hierarchical system that is often present in the church. Certain outstanding church members often make most of the decisions and many less put together members seem to be forgotten as they strive to be more “perfect”. This is quite ironic, considering biblical teachings. The church as an institution through out history has driven ideas and morals, trying to form people into the golden standard. I also installed it on campus near a popular pathway. People walk the same way onto campus each day, they follow a similar schedule and match a typical stereotype. This is especially evident on Clemson’s campus where many people fit into the southern, Christian, white, successful ideal.
In both locations, the bees are laying in grass. It is captivating and disturbing because it makes the audience wonder why the bees are in the grass. The materials, number, arrangement and setting come together to create a piece that captivates the space and ask questions about community and groups. This sculpture functions as a reminder to the hierarchy and the bandwagon effect.
For my final project I wanted to explore this bandwagon effect, where people follow the ideal and then become clones or imitations of the leader. I chose to look at the bee because of the function of the hive or grist. Many bees are reproduced from the queen bee to the become drones or worker bees to continue fixing, nurturing and making the hive function. The bee is also historically significant because of its reference in many renaissance paintings and sculpture. The bee was the symbol for Pope Urban VII. Pope Urban VII was not well liked by the general public but he used his money and power to finance the arts and then persuade the public through this propaganda. His symbol can be found in many influential pieces of art and sculpture.
The bee also represents community. All of the bees work together for one cause even though there is one clear leader, the queen bee. Bees also reflect society today, they are constantly busy, hence a commonly used phrase today “busy bee”.
For the sculpture I used bronze and clay. The bronze was casted, making a reproduction that appears very precious. This process also has a strong base in art history as a high form of craft used for very important pieces made for important people. The rest of the bees I made from a mold of clay. The clay represents a lower form of craft. The clay bees are trying to be bronze but they are not. Clay is also known for its malleability and ephemerality, as if the imitations are constantly changing and over turning. The bees are arranged in a pyramid, with a gradient from bronze to worst crafted. The clay bees appear to be following the “ideal” bronze bee. The pyramid also represents the often hierarchical system of societies, with the “perfect” popular people on top and the outcast on bottom.
I installed the pyramid in two locations: outside of a church and on a college campus. I installed it outside of a church to bring attention to the bandwagon effect and hierarchical system that is often present in the church. Certain outstanding church members often make most of the decisions and many less put together members seem to be forgotten as they strive to be more “perfect”. This is quite ironic, considering biblical teachings. The church as an institution through out history has driven ideas and morals, trying to form people into the golden standard. I also installed it on campus near a popular pathway. People walk the same way onto campus each day, they follow a similar schedule and match a typical stereotype. This is especially evident on Clemson’s campus where many people fit into the southern, Christian, white, successful ideal.
In both locations, the bees are laying in grass. It is captivating and disturbing because it makes the audience wonder why the bees are in the grass. The materials, number, arrangement and setting come together to create a piece that captivates the space and ask questions about community and groups. This sculpture functions as a reminder to the hierarchy and the bandwagon effect.
