David Altmejd | The Vessel

by writer Shaya Ishaq

The Vessel is a 20 foot-long plexiglass diorama containing disembodied hands and noses. The works staggering transparency and size makes it impossible to take in at a single glance - or many. The Vessel changes with every blink; it breathes, shimmers and contains elements about life and death. Seen from the front, composition appears nearly symmetrical but upon closer inspection, each side has been crafted individually. A closer look reveals as much chaos as it does order which implies that these opposing states generate each other. The elaborate composition of plastered body parts position themselves into a fleet of swans. Encircling these forms is an abundance of threads meticulously strung. Altmejd’s recent work is a physical manifestation of growth, and transformation that is only possible from decay.

(Source: canadianart.ca, via archidose)