Chiefly illustrated. Includes bibliographical references.
Contents:
Anima: Claudia Comte's cactus, coral and leaf sculptures / Yann Chateigne Tytelman -- Shapes -- Hans Ulrich Obrist and Claudia Comte in conversation -- Wood -- Conversation: Ayana Elizabeth Johnson with Claudia Comte -- Marble -- The days and the nights of the ocean / Chus Martinez -- Digital -- Appendix.
Summary:
Snow-clad marble sculptures of cactuses, pencil sketches of corals and renderings of leaf shapes seemingly suspended in mid-air, interspersed with grids of neon-colored sculptures and alarming newspaper headlines warning of the "ghastly" climate apocalypse that lies in store for us: This artist's book explores the diverse reference system of forms and materials, plants, animals and other subjects out of which Claudia Comte develops her biomorphic sculptures. While cactuses are well adapted to arid conditions, coral reefs, which form bio-diverse ecosystems at the bottom of the marine food chain, are wasting away due to the warming and acidification of the ocean. Leaves, on the other hand, represent photosynthesis, the energy-converting process that gives off oxygen. Comte's supernatural fusion of cactus, coral and leaf draws connections between aspects of the desert, ocean, and forest through various processes of material metamorphosis.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.