In midwinter, I depart for my commute just before dawn. It is in these early icy hours that the landmarks of the area loom silent and large, but also seem more distant. It is this presence and absence that resonates with me and defines my approach to place. In my studio, I use delicate clays slabs to render the buildings of the mill as lines in space. Working from aerial photographs and plans for the mill, I follow the natural evolution of the architecture. Even though I obsessively render each edge and basic shape, my work is riddled with imperfections. These vitrified flaws, for me, embody the work of my hand, the fragility of the clay and a reference to the aggressive growth and increasing decline of American industry.
right:
Abandon, 2009
Slab construction, black clay fired to cone 5 in oxidation atmosphere. Based on abandoned paper mill. Installation includes three sections on wood and metal stands. The large section is comprised of approximately 40 clay "buildings". Detail view. Photos by Tim Thayer.
abandon
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