Crestfallen
Leif Parker
Crestfallen is a kinetic sculpture, tall in stature, yet minimalist in its movements. Existing as a slice of landscape, this artwork stages a natural tragedy of everyday proportions. An unnamed egg has slipped from the security of its nest and dashed upon the rocks, the hatchling's fate is uncertain. Through its subtlety of motion, the project begs an unusually close inspection from its viewers—drawing them ever closer—but the helplessness of the predicament holds them in check.
The work explores a theme of tragic polar extremes, of security and insecurity, of empowerment and powerlessness, of birth and death. The tragedy exists only within the narrative constructed by the viewer; for the scene portrayed represents a natural one where life and death are essential and commonplace, and assistance - however well-intentioned - would be out of place. Without an outlet for action the artwork demands an emotional response, a moment of pause, and a passing on.
When I first conceptualized Crestfallen, I was seeking a form of kinetic sculpture that would evoke the greatest emotional response via the least amount of physical movement. Coming upon the idea of a baby bird, caught in the thralls between life and death, satisfied this ambition. The extremes at work within the piece promote a grand tension in stark contrast to the subtlety of motion.
The untouchable aspect of art itself plays a role within this work as well. The impotence the viewer feels towards this waning hatchling is compounded by the social restraints against hands-on interaction in a gallery. "Don't touch the baby bird, or its mother won't recognize it", meets "Please don't touch the art", and we feel doubly helpless. I aim for the viewer—in lieu of offering tactile assistance—to simply feel the implications of the narrative they build, to connect with the tragedy that nature seems not to recognize, and to move through it – touched.