Visual Artist: DAN RAMIREZ
cell: 954.299.0916
email:dadapoet@bellsouth.net
GAZING OF THE CALUSIAN GAIA:
"SUN GOD"
SUN GOD - INSTALLED - VIDS
SUN GOD - PROCESS VIDS
COMPLETION & PROCESS PICS
SERIES: “GAZING OF THE CALUSIAN GAIA”
WORK STATEMENT:
This work is inspired by the extinct Calusa Floridian Natives and their parallel connection with our present Culture. Work/Series Intention: bringing generational awareness to our current state of ignorance for “Gaia” (commonly referred to as Mother Earth). South Florida has become a Tech Driven Society.Social Media Giants continue to focus on creating new influencers for their revenue stream. Large developers continuing to sweep last remaining patches of green underneath their high-rise concrete foundations. Miami Beach is a major tourist attraction for the entire world now. Yet very few ever look at the sea water as anything less than a cooling source, it’s sands as a tanning source.
Our new generation (children) have the ability of creating a Tik-Tok-Vid in a matter of seconds, using a device that previously could only be seen in 80’s Sci-Fi cinema. Yet they may never notice the 1000 year-old tree in which they had placed their iPhones onto; used as a stand, during their vid-live-stream. Seemingly a world where Value and Self Image supersedes Substance. The extinct Calusa, the first untainted South Floridians. Helping us still find remanence of the natural world within the seams of South Florida's always evolving tapestry.
SOUTH FLORIDA’S PAST:
The “Calusa” indigenous people, also known as the shell people were unusually tall with a fierce reputation.
In fact the word: “Calusa”, meaning “fierce people”. Like many indigenous tribes spread across the country
thousand of years ago, they were also spiritual in nature and bonded to the plants and animals In which they
shared the land with.
SOUTH FLORIDA’S PRESENT:
The "Generation X", "Millennials", "Generation Z" and “Generation Alpha” populace, currently inhabit the Florida landscape today. These massive and multi-facet tribes are made of many races, creeds and/or religions. Some like shells, many are fierce,
some are also very spiritual. Some of these generational tribes enjoy plants, while others love their animals ,as if, their own offsprings.
Some hate all of the above.
Material/Media Intent:
The Hanging Sculptures:
Utilizing the hanging (mix-media) mobile sculptures as vessels, captures the spiritual essence of each “Calusa” individual in the 4th Dimension. The hanging sculptures evoke a ancient purity, now long forgotten. Nonetheless, his or her spiritual attachment to South Florida continues to linger, continues to be vigilant and observant onto this new world. The hanging sculptures themselves are created using organic materials, such as plant/leaves, rock, even Floridian animal elements are incorporated. The sculptures are constructed by layering Juke Twine onto an Armature Skeleton. The sculpture heads are made of baked polymer clay for longevity. Face paint & design finish, using acrylic paint overlay. These methods allowing for the sculpture to be flexible and/or slightly posable. In this manner, the sculptures become functional, durable and can continue to evolve harmoniously with their surroundings or space (installation) atmosphere.
The Wall Mounted Work:
The secondary wall pieces can differ in Material from Circular-Wood Panels, Canvas, Drawings, even Murals and Photographs in the 2nd-Dimension. The wall piece displaying today’s world at any capacity. These secondary-wall pieces, like the sculptures, are unique in nature and can be presented/installed individually. Initially created as a cohesive extension for the hanging mobile sculptures. They are a singular unit, but narratively connected to the hanging “Calusa” sculptures. Finding strength and harmony in the mixture of two opposite elements. The hanging sculptures being organic, while the secondary flat wall pieces contrasting in both material and in visual representation.
Danny Ramirez
http://www.visualartist-dramirez.com
dadapoet@bellsouth.net
954.299.0916
