Submitted by ConstantineZlatev on

Artist Statement: 

 

In the past, the classical artist worked primarily with natural materials. Nowadays we have mountains of discarded technology. These junkyards are the modern-day quarries and artists like me can make anything out of these resources. All of my recent works were made from salvaged industrial components and scrap. My robotic flute installations use industrial pneumatic hardware and are driven by compressed air.

The Double Barrel Flute installations signify the transformation of a shot gun, an instrument of discord, into a harmonious flute, an object that plays music as a symbol of our wisdom, intellect and humanity. The programmable robots graphically chart and then musically depict the rise & fall of US annual arms exports from 1960 to 2009. The aural response of the flutes is based upon a value judgment where a rise in arms exports triggers the flutes to play a somber or anti-war song. And for every value indicating a drop in arms exports, the flutes play a celebratory tune.

 
The political, economic, social, cultural and environmental ramifications of war can be felt for centuries. Decisions made now can have significant repercussions for generations and alter the course of history itself. It is unfortunate that after all of our accumulated knowledge and technology, we continue to spend so much money and effort on building weapons and machines of war. The future of life on Earth will be mainly determined by the actions and choices that we make individually and collectively. The same intelligence that drove us to improve many aspects of human existence now remains our main hope for sustainable survival.

 

 
Mediums: 
Ceramics
Styles: 
Functional
Artist Display Name: 
Constantine K. Zlatev