Zachariah Fenn
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Jubes & Toothpicks
Jubes, Toothpicks, wooden frame.
Still from video.
Performance and Installation at Kudos Gallery for 'Mad Object' exhibition, 2012.
The inspiration for 'Jubes & Toothpicks' came from helping out at my church’s Kid’s Club. We had an activity prepared where the kids had the opportunity to create whatever they pleased using lollies and toothpicks. I joined in the fun too. It was a wonderful return to childhood for me. As I observed what the kids were making, I realised they had the wildest imaginations, but little regard for neatness – their lolly sculptures were not at all sturdy structures.
I have explored this notion – but on a much larger ‘grown-up’ scale. I found the materiality of the toothpicks and lollies ( particularly the jubes) to be really aesthetically beautiful, and this would only be magnified on a large scale. I wish to comment on the process of growing up – as we get older we are expected to ‘fall in line’, act in certain ways and be well-structured, well-organised and well-presented. However I feel that child-like energy and enthusiasm is what society is missing. In this regard I have created a very inricate, calculated and pre-planned structure (evocative of a cage or enclosure) that will eventually build up to encapsulate me in my own creation.
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