Scott Huh DESMA 9 Event 2: Mnemoawari

Group photo with E. Joteva. I'm the guy wearing glasses 

Contents of mnemoawari

Joteva's cryo-sculpture melting into a pan

This week I attended the mnemoawari exhibit by E. Joteva. The exhibit consisted of three spherical cryo-sculptures coated with plants and flowers, which were accompanied by calm music and sound effects of water drops. The sculptures were suspended from the ceiling, slowly melting and dripping into a pan, which released “their entropic potential into virtual and material memory.” The sculptures had great aesthetic pleasure, but I had no idea what these sculptures represented. However, the messages became very clear once Joteva began to talk about being aware of changes going on in our lives. She commented that these sculptures would inevitably melt away, leaving nothing but a bucket full of water and leaves. Therefore, the question was: should she stop them from melting and intervene with the transformation process? It became clear that she was not talking solely about the sculptures. She was relating to changes in general, and whether we should accept these on-going transformations. Thinking back to what she said, I think that the sculptures accurately represents the issue of climate change. Like these cryo-sculptures, the Earth is slowly melting away. The world today is going through a large transformation due to increased anthropogenic activities, and it is imperative that society recognizes this climate change. Like Joteva, we need to ask ourselves: should, and can, we intervene with the climate prevalent in our world today?

Earth melting, just like the sculptures

Juxtaposition of art and science

Overall, my experience at the mnemoawari exhibit was invaluable. It amazes me how Joteva was able to evoke a sense of awareness through such a “simple” piece of artwork. The cryo-sculptures reminded me of Garret Hardin’s The Tragedy of the Commons. Hardin emphasized that most challenges we face do not have solutions in the area of science and technology only. One of the solutions Hardin proposes is that we need to heighten society’s awareness to these issues, and educate people of the consequences. Although it may have not been Joteva’s intention, she used Hardin’s approach by raising my awareness of the climate issue. Therefore, this event further reinforced my understanding of how art and science are merging together. Joteva was able to use her artwork to present an issue that is prevalent in the field of science. However, this is my own interpretation of mnemoawari. I would recommend going to this event because one may find value in something that another person may not see.

Sources for the images:

Martell, Christine. "Home." VisualsSpeak. N.p., 09 May 2012. Web. 14 May 2017.

Online, IE. "Melting glaciers, a spoke in Earth's wheel." The Indian Express. N.p., 20 Dec. 2015. Web. 14 May 2017.