THE MACHINERY HAS STARTED

EXPLORING UNSTOPPABLE PROCESSES AND UNINTENDED CONSEQUENSES IN A PRECARIOUS INSTALLATION OF SCULPTURE SOUND AND FILM

OCTOBER 2023

THE LOFT, HERITAGE COURTYARD, WELLS BA5 2RR

"She has started the machinery; it will work to its end" (Forster, E.M. 1924. A Passage to India)

At the heart of this work are eleven humanlike sculptures formed organically from a mix of found and natural products. These are set on vulnerable, steel stands which bend and move with vibrations or interaction with the viewer.

Alongside these elements, the presence of disquieting, momentum driven sound underpins a constant sense of unease.

This installation invites viewers to partake in an immersive experience that goes beyond aesthetics. The juxtaposition between the sculptures' springy forms and the surrounding sea of human heads underscores the intricate balance between intention and repercussion.

This project draws inspiration from Forster's iconic literary reference, extending his notion of the uncontrollable machinery into a multi-dimensional exploration that transcends the textual realm and becomes a tactile, off-kilter visual and auditory experience. The sculptures, sound and surrounding elements mirror the complex narrative of agency's interaction with larger forces, inviting contemplation of how personal decisions can resonate across the fabric of society, reflecting the idea that humans influence the world around them, whilst at the same time, unwittingly setting in motion larger, often unstoppable forces that can determine the outcomes of their actions and ultimately shape the course of events. The artwork resonates as an invitation to pause, to ponder, and ultimately, to embrace our potential to navigate the torrents of progress with an awareness of the fragility that accompanies it.

Through this immersive narrative, observers are encouraged to reflect upon their own agency within the intricate mechanisms that underpin the notion of societal progress, calling into question the responsibilities that come with shaping the unstoppable processes of our world.