From 15th century Catholic paintings and sculpture, to Buddhist, Ganesh, or even Baphomet depictions, I have always been inspired by religious imagery. I love deities, because they are looked upon with feelings of hope, love, sorrow, and sometimes even disgust. I grew up admiring my grandparent’s Catholic art, and recall a childhood Christmas when one of my uncles had given them a large sculpture of Leonardo da Vinci's "Last Supper". I can still remember my grandmother’s reaction, and how it sat above the dinner table atop an old fashion dish cabinet in a shrine of sorts. I was forbidden to touch it, but always assumed it was carved from marble. I inherited it a few years ago when my grandmother passed and discovered air bubbles underneath the table portion, which sort of hit me strange. Everyone on my mother’s side of the family is very religious, and always holds religious art in high regard, no matter what it’s made from. I guess in a way, that is why I wanted to make some religious art of my own, in my own way.
Technological Crucifixion is the third piece in my Mechanical Christ series. Each sculpture depicts a different aspect of technology becoming Godlike. My goal here was to portray religion through technology, because I feel both hold a power over us all. I wanted them to be visually beautiful, but suggestively horrifying, all in the same glance. For anyone interested in seeing these and other works of mine in person, they will be at The Hive Gallery at; 729 S Spring St., Los Angeles, CA 90014 from November 6th to the 27th.
IMMACULATE CONTRAPTION
TECHNOLOGICAL CRUCIFIXION
AUTOMATED RESURRECTION
The following videos are stop-motion/time lapse of myself assembling the sculpture “Technological Crucifixion”, or as my good friend John Young put it “Techno Jesus.” I started this on June 20th (Fathers Day) of 2010, and just recently finished it on October 20th. I picked at it here and there on the weekdays and sometimes managed to get a few hours in on Sundays. I had assistance from my 2-year-old son who was more than happy to help Daddy make a mess!
