Oceanex Avalon (2009)
Begun during a residency in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Oceanex Avalonenacts a ceremonial burial of industrial remnants. Using copper etching plates, I constructed a model of a cargo ship, the Oceanex Avalon, which was then filled with etched paper models depicting the region’s once-thriving fishing industry. This ship was set into a 200L bath of weak ferric chloride etching acid and left to slowly erode throughout the duration of the exhibition - destroyed by its own means of production. As it floated for nearly a month in this chemical bath, a mist gathered, lulling one into a belief that it might avoid the inevitable sinking - which occurred shortly before the exhibition closed. This act of burial-at-sea for these lost industries memorializes what was lost, while cautioning against the unchecked speculation that comes with a second boom.
Oceanex Avalon was produced with the support of St. Michael's Printshop
Oceanex Avalon (week 1), copper etching plates, etching on paper, ferric chloride, plexiglas, 2010.
Week 2
week 3