Adaptive Connections, 2024, Waxed cloth, waxed felt, nuts and bolts, 7 units - dimensions variable, Photo credit: Mario Gallucci
The netlike section of Adaptive Connections is made from waxed flannel. It resembles skin or hide, or a microscopic view of bone fibers. The imagery a net holds the idea of forming and re-forming. Like neural networks, connections that are strong and healthy are those most often used. In the event of damage or disuse of one part, or if a need arises, a new dendrite or branch grows, and new connections are made. In a network, one breakage doesn’t necessarily mean the whole thing is destroyed - it can hang together with broken lines. All these ideas can be metaphors for cultures that have been damaged or disrupted. I’m always intrigued by combining natural looking materials with harsh industrial objects. The black couplings of this piece can be read several ways - a gathering of things brought together naturally, or perhaps evidence of an intentional, imposed way of staying connected.