The last muffled breaths of the undead masculine

The last muffled breaths of the undead masculine
paper sculpture (including cast papier mache, books, office supplies, inkjet prints, recycled cardboard, paper thread), soil gathered from former environmental impact sites, piezo mics, paper speakers, and electronics
96″ x 96″ x 96″
2024

This project is the starting point for an ongoing process of exhalation: an extended exhortation; distorted, elongated words that draw out the poisons that have leaked into the earth and up into my toes and his calcified heart. Over the course of this exhibition, this installed mechanism will change, grow, fall apart. It is a paper ghost, far less solid than it might at first seem. The sculpture will turn in on itself, magnifying a death rattle so that he breaks himself apart with an ugly grunt; choking on the feedback and putting to rest the undead. But even as this piece grows and collapses, let’s remember not to revel in the destruction and expiration–moving fast and breaking things is a tired mode–we breathe to clear space for a cycle of new growth.

commissioned by the Berkeley Civic Arts Commission

Exhibition history:
The last muffled breaths of the undead masculine, Berkeley Cube Space gallery (2024)