Paranormal Taxonomy, 2004
Installing show at Full Support Gallery, Santa Cruz, CA
Paranormal Taxonomy explores the seemingly opposite worlds of fiction and science: one being based on imagination and the other on fact. My work combines the unknown realms of the supernatural with the structure of science to create creatures that examine issues of interaction, consumption, preservation, invasion, infection and survival. My goal was to present a sampling of the inhabitants of a fictitious world, inspired by the natural world around me, and present them in a format that suggested scientific documentation.
This installation is organized according to the system of classification known as taxonomy. With taxonomy, all living forms are grouped into one of five kingdoms: Monera: bacteria and related forms; Protista: one celled organisms with a nuclei; Fungi: Mushrooms and molds; Plantae: multi-celled plant life; Animalia: multi-celled animal life. To help animate the work, I chose to use mulberry rice paper on the canvas prior to applying the oil paint. The fibers in the rice paper give the subjects a physical texture, resembling veins or hairs. The combination of the pulp and fiber colors also add visual space and texture that give the images movement.
The work asks the viewer to question their knowledge of the world around them and to acknowledge that so many of our earthly species are alien to us because of their location, size or population. I hope the viewer will take time to look around them and learn about the wonders of our abundant natural world; then perhaps create new wonders of their own.
Artist Statement, Amy Kollar Anderson, 2004
