Faculty of Art

Sculpture/Installation

Susan MacPhail

05 Oblivions Gaze

A mechanical reinterpretation of an ostrich constructed from recycled plywood and plastic, symbolizing humanity's tendency to ignore environmental consequences despite our capacity for high-level innovation.

“Oblivion’s GazeIn this sculpture, I explore the Anthropocene through the idiomatic metaphor of an ostrich with its head in the sand. Standing at 40" tall, the artwork resembles a machine-like ostrich constructed from recycled materials, highlighting the consequences of disregarding humanity's environmental impact. The birch branch neck thrusts into the ground, and the plastic water bottle body, supported by Da Vinci-inspired recycled plywood legs, illustrates the dual nature of human ingenuity, resulting in both positive and negative outcomes.Birch twigs reference our connection to the natural world, while the ostrich ablaze signifies the urgency of climate change. Crafted from repurposed discarded plastic, the fiery tail shards serve to remind us that misuse of oil-based materials contributes to our escalating environmental crisis. The juxtaposition of industry and nature, coupled with a fervent and futile endeavor to address climate change, accentuates the profound repercussions of our destructive path. This sculpture serves as a stark reminder that dismissing the truth will lead to irreversible disaster, urging observers to reflect on our collective responsibility in preventing an impending ecological catastrophe.”