Nature of Being by Jason J Ferguson
Immediate Response:
At first glance, the piece seems gloomy and depressing. The format the artist positioned the skeleton seems sad since it is in the fetal position. The arms crossed suggest it is comforting itself from something sad or traumatic that might have happened. The positioning of the head on the platform reveals that the skeleton is in pain and requires assistance to keep its chin up. Moreover, the color the artist decided to use can represent the depression the skeleton might be going through. The circular piece in the background could represent the emotions the individual might be experiencing.
Objective Description:
The piece by Jason Ferguson centralizes on a gray plastic skeleton. The skeleton is placed on a platform that is approximately 6 inches above the floor. The skeleton is in the fetal position with its arms crossed supporting the legs, which are against its chest. The skeleton is holding its legs as if it were hugging itself and using the platform as a pillow to support its head. Hanging above in the background is a circular illuminated painting that has four colors: light blue as the background, amethyst purple as a cloud around the center, orange, and a small circle of yellow like the sun.
Technical Decisions:
Ferguson chose to place his piece on a platform that rises the piece around 6 inches from the ground. The room in which the work is displayed is empty, leaving Ferguson’s work the center of attention. I believe it is meant to symbolize the loneliness the individual feels in hard times. The lights are directly above the skeleton which could represent all eyes on them, feeling the pressure of others leading the skeleton to feel overwhelmed. Moreover, the positioning the artist chose to display the skeleton reveals its overwhelming feelings as well as a gloomy/lonely feeling.
The Work in the World:
As mentioned before, the piece reveals a sense of loneliness or sadness that all humans feel. The artist could be revealing what he is feeling through the positioning of the skeleton. The way the artist decided to place the skeleton implies that he might be feeling a sadness that only one can understand through expressions or visual representations. This work could relate to individuals who may be suffering in silence, those who hide their pain and loneliness from the external world.
The Story it Tells:
The piece is a full scale complete replica of Ferguson’s skeletal system generated from EOS, CBCT, MRI, and CT scans in 2016. From all the imaging and multiple medical scans, the artist was able to 3D print all 206 bones. The circular display hanging in the back is actually a monitor which reveals the 3D animations of the artist’s bones. Initially, the piece seemed to be a sad/lonely piece; however, after discovering that various medical scans were done in order to complete the artwork, it became clear that the piece was about understanding what’s inside. The message behind the work could be interpreted as the artist understanding pain or experiences that come with aging and accepting that one day all humans will be a part of nature.
Reference: https://www.jasonjferguson.com/work/the-nature-of-being