Human
Nature/ Fish house was originally shown at the Minneapolis
Institute of Art as part of the Human Nature/Series.
The new version is titled Human Nature/ Relationships and
includes a new film to give the piece a new meaning.
236
The film in the
boat of time actually starts out with a triangle and oval
drawing representing male and female. In drawing them together,
it becomes the shape of a fish and represents , connecting
and swimming together. In overlapping the lines you create
the dimension of shared time in the relationship. When a relationship
ends, what is left is a two-dimensional memory. This
folded up representation of memories slaps painfully against
your face. I let the film play backwards to emphasize, that
with the pain you take away the grieving and feeling of emptiness.
When the pain is gone and you have freed yourself you are
ready for a new beginning.
The historic commercial fishing boat from Isle Royale, Lake
Superior represents the boat of time. Under the boat of time,
are hanging smoked herrings which are a metaphor for memories.
On the ramp, which symbolizes the shadow of time, a table
braces itself from sliding towards an empty chair. This
shows separation and loneliness. On top of the table
are panels with images of couples and paired herrings. These
are the memories of intimacy.
This
piece represents the emotions surrounding relationships and
the powerful social instinct to overcome separation.
