Mark Holden
The Whirl Project, various materials, copyright 1997-1998
The Whirl Project, various materials, copyright 1997-1998
The Whirl Project was initiated in 1997 at the invitation of David o David and Cocoleeta to be in a
group show in Toronto called "The Drug Show". There were approximately 40 artists and each
of them were to create work relating to drugs. For my piece I chose to re-create a round-about
from a playground. I attached a motor and gear box so it spun at 45 rpm. In the inner-city, a
playground is no longer just a place where children play, it is also a place where dealers sell
drugs. The piece also suggests that drugs may be fun but they are dangerous. The fast
spinning disk would surely have injured anyone who wanted to ride it. When investigating the
symbol of a whirl I found that it also references spiritual awareness and power. The scared four
directions and the power of the spiral where all in my mind when I created the sculpture and
companion drawings. The sculpture's crazy spiral had a hypnotic effect on the viewer as it
revolved.
group show in Toronto called "The Drug Show". There were approximately 40 artists and each
of them were to create work relating to drugs. For my piece I chose to re-create a round-about
from a playground. I attached a motor and gear box so it spun at 45 rpm. In the inner-city, a
playground is no longer just a place where children play, it is also a place where dealers sell
drugs. The piece also suggests that drugs may be fun but they are dangerous. The fast
spinning disk would surely have injured anyone who wanted to ride it. When investigating the
symbol of a whirl I found that it also references spiritual awareness and power. The scared four
directions and the power of the spiral where all in my mind when I created the sculpture and
companion drawings. The sculpture's crazy spiral had a hypnotic effect on the viewer as it
revolved.
The project is in 3 parts; the sculpture, the drawings on 1/8" metal and the "blueprint"
drawings.
1. The sculpture: 1/8" x 5' diameter mild steel disk, steel tubing, motorcycle chain, gearbox and motor.
drawings.
1. The sculpture: 1/8" x 5' diameter mild steel disk, steel tubing, motorcycle chain, gearbox and motor.
The raw energy of the fast-moving spiral had an almost hypnotic effect.
2. The metal drawings: Oil pastel and chalk on cut mild steel. David Smith (an abstract metal artist from the
mid 20th century) drew his cut marks with chalk directly on the metal. He inspired me to draw these images.
mid 20th century) drew his cut marks with chalk directly on the metal. He inspired me to draw these images.
I.
II.
III.
The metal drawings were cut from 1/8" mild steel. You can see the wide melted cut marks on the edges, contributing to
a raw kind of feel. Drawing I explored the idea of guardians from the four directions. It is directly influenced by tribal
spirituality and an Ute rock mural. Drawing II was also influenced by tribal art including a Navaho sandpainting.
Drawing III was influenced by children's carousels.
3. "Blueprint" drawings: Chalk and oil pastel on paper. The whole industrial feel of the project inspired me to use a
blueprint format in the following works.
a raw kind of feel. Drawing I explored the idea of guardians from the four directions. It is directly influenced by tribal
spirituality and an Ute rock mural. Drawing II was also influenced by tribal art including a Navaho sandpainting.
Drawing III was influenced by children's carousels.
3. "Blueprint" drawings: Chalk and oil pastel on paper. The whole industrial feel of the project inspired me to use a
blueprint format in the following works.
i.
II.
Drawing I and II was about a compass, the movement of the four directions and animal totems.
IV.
III>
Drawing III was about children's games that involved a circle such as "Dodgeball" or "The Fox and the Hunter".
Drawing IV was just about trying to show movement.
Drawing IV was just about trying to show movement.
VI.
V.
Drawing V was inspired by police graphs that track the movement with an x on a map of all crimes in the area. Drug dealer locations
were usually at the center of the cluster of X's. Drawing VI was about how chaotic it was to move the sculpture. it was moved in 3
pieces (it weighed 450 pds altogether). I almost lost the disk on the highway.
were usually at the center of the cluster of X's. Drawing VI was about how chaotic it was to move the sculpture. it was moved in 3
pieces (it weighed 450 pds altogether). I almost lost the disk on the highway.
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If you have any feedback, please email me at markwholden@hotmail.com
