Artist Statement.

This is my Statement for the Intaglio Prints Project.

I have always had a personal interest in the advancing technology of today and how humanity is leaning towards utter dependence on machines, artificial devices and computers over the past century. I have always found it fascinating how quickly humanity on a whole adapts to what are massive leaps in technology. (i.e. the internet as we know it has been in existence for little over a decade yet most people take it for granted, as if has always been here) 

 Over the course of my research in these areas I came to notice a pseudo cult pattern emerging for multimedia computerized devises, media devices such as I phone and social media outlets such as Facebook. These have come to develop in recent years all the necessary foundations for a major religion. Foundations such as power over the masses, some pretty strict rules and some seriously fanatical devoted users. 

I begin to document and create imagery from  this fervor and devotion with its striking similarities with major world religions,  I looked back to the 15th and 16th century Catholic church (then at the height of its Christian power). In this research I found striking similarities between Michelangelo’s floor plans for the evolution of the Vatican and plans for a structure being constructed in the U.S.A. designed by Apple founder Steve Jobs before he passed away. This building, when completed, is intended to be the mother hub and world center for Apple Industries 

I created imagery that juxtaposed floor plans of the Vatican, the center of Christian power with the plans for this Apple hub which will be the center for Apples power with other imagery such as the founding algorithm for the birth of Facebook and the first blueprints of the i phone. Through my research into the devotion at this time I was reminded of the work of the artist Stelarc. His work with robotic and social media epitomized the core of my investigation particularly his most famous works  having an internet connected artificial ear implanted in his arm, and microphones attached to his inner chest to pick up his heartbeat to be listened to by anyone with an internet connection at any time. Stelarc’s arms equipped with ear and heart with microphones are shown in my work. 

Patrick Dundon