Idolatria
Idolatry: The Birth of an Idol
Idolatry is evocative and powerful, perfectly aligned with the conceptual essence of the image. It reflects on the creation and veneration of symbols, confronting the viewer with the mystery and meaning behind humanity's relationship with the objects it elevates to transcendent symbols.
Artistic Description:
The work depicts a mound of sand, a natural and transient element, serving as the foundation for the birth of an idol, symbolized by the rusted copper fragment emerging from its summit. The white, sterile, and empty room amplifies the focus on the installation, creating a timeless space where the concepts of the sacred and the profane intertwine.
The passersby, blurred figures in motion, suggest the continuous interaction between humans and the symbol: they observe, ignore, and walk around, unconsciously participating in the consecration of the object. Their presence is an integral part of the work, echoing the dynamic between worshipper and idol.
Artistic Interpretation:
"Idolatry: The Birth of an Idol" delves into universal and timeless themes. Copper, a corruptible material, symbolizes humanity's attempt to immortalize the ephemeral, to ascribe eternal value to what is destined to decay. Sand, representing time and impermanence, becomes the pedestal upon which the object of adoration is erected, evoking the idea that idols arise from what is precarious and fleeting.
The work raises questions about modern idolatry: What makes an object worthy of veneration? Is it the material, the context, or the meaning we project onto it? In a hyper-rational and minimalist world, the installation compels us to reflect on the sanctity attributed to objects and how, as passersby of history, we contribute to their creation and decay.
Conclusion:
The work is not merely a celebration of idolatry but also a critique. It invites us to observe not only the idol but also the "birth" process that makes it so. Every element of the installation — the sand, the copper, and the passersby — contributes to this narrative, leaving the viewer with the task of questioning their role in bringing idols of their time to life.