principles of destruction

The glacier has been most important for me….it conveys the principles of cold and warm, energy and process – Joseph Beuys

These projects are created from sources derived of field expeditions, studies, and research ranging from (to name a few) west Texas to Iceland to the Tuscan (Italy) landscape. We are interested in physical state changes, as suggested by the Beuys quote above and the dichotomy of extraction and renewal. Using data and imagery directly observed- the collaboration with the landscape shifts to the studios of Fung and Bontrager as they respond to contemporary issues and technologies. This new work falls under the working title of principles of destruction. Parsing the complexity of contemporary relationships with the natural world and the possibilities of the technologies driving extraction of natural resources from the planet this new body of work is immersive in scale.

The exhibition plan for principles of destruction will utilize a large video projection paired with 3-4 sculptural forms that echo animations in the video. The synthesis of these forms with the video projection will be visual but equally united by a sonic component. While ominous sounding, principles of destruction aims to challenge the current status quo of human extraction of landscapes and natural resources. Forms situated digitally and physically in the exhibition will evoke loss and deterioration but also opportunities for regrowth and renewal. These forms (which likely will include inflatable elements and smoke machines) are juxtaposed with the projected video backdrop of aerial footage, sound recordings from research expeditions, 3-D renderings, and unique micro textures of global landscapes visited by Fung and Bontrager.

Evoking a plethora of Anthropocene era ecological disasters, this art exercise by Drone Beuys presents a myriad of scenarios to counter what is often a bleak prognosis, forms shifting and collapsing within themselves (and into each other)- in a tectonic arena positing a narrative of the principles of destruction but also hope for an alchemy of future technology, shifting principles, and an encounter with a sublime space. Ultimately, we see principles of destruction as a manifesto for paradigms shifts that are necessary in our contemporary cultures. We believe art can be an avenue to plant the seeds of change- opening up new ideas and conversations.