Artwork

The weight of black and white, and the cost of flight

2017 Competition entry

Detail
Tags

Johan Slabbert

Details:
Signed
Silver, copper and found objects
1.76 m x 0.39 m x 0.21 m
Description:
Johan's Slabbert's sculptural artwork, The weight of black and white, and the cost of flight (2017), functions as an observation of a significant contemporary condition which emphasises living according to particular black-and-white rules, with the notion of black and white implying rigidity, strictness and inflexibility. Such, often conservative, rule(s) direct society-at-large and can be identified in diverse spheres including politics, industry and leisure. Contrariwise, however, the sculpture also functions as a reflection upon certain individuals within such a society to follow their own intuition rather than prescribed regulations and tenets.

In The weight of black and white, and the cost of flight a white snooker cue ball and black number eight ball, symbolic of the rigid, strict and inflexible black-and-whiteness of conformist societal rule, is juxtaposed against a purple gemstone and a winged figurine taking flight. In this instance, the colour purple, which is frequently associated with notions of creativity, wisdom, dignity and independence as well as having certain spiritual or esoteric connotations, is representative of the aforementioned notion of intuition distinguished in particular individuals.

Slabbert utilises the snooker cues as well as the white cue ball and black number eight ball as metaphor for the twofold nature of life. Life, as in the game of snooker, is both a game of chance and a game of skill; you either win or lose at the game - it has a foregone conclusion, it is, simply, black- and-white.

Nevertheless, there are those brave individuals who follow their own intuition, who advocate the pursuit of one's own happiness, who value independence and self-reliance, and who oppose external interference upon their own interest by society or institutions, including government and religion. The winged figurine, in combination with the purple gemstone, is suggestive of such intuitive individuals. Taking advantage of the media of copper and silver, Slabbert delicately fashions the male figurine and the wings extended above him. The figurine and his wings are symbols of the idea of breaking away or letting go - the cost of flight.

Found objects

Detail
Tags

Johan Slabbert

Details:
Signed
Silver, copper and found objects
1.76 m x 0.39 m x 0.21 m

Description:
Johan's Slabbert's sculptural artwork, The weight of black and white, and the cost of flight (2017), functions as an observation of a significant contemporary condition which emphasises living according to particular black-and-white rules, with the notion of black and white implying rigidity, strictness and inflexibility. Such, often conservative, rule(s) direct society-at-large and can be identified in diverse spheres including politics, industry and leisure. Contrariwise, however, the sculpture also functions as a reflection upon certain individuals within such a society to follow their own intuition rather than prescribed regulations and tenets.

In The weight of black and white, and the cost of flight a white snooker cue ball and black number eight ball, symbolic of the rigid, strict and inflexible black-and-whiteness of conformist societal rule, is juxtaposed against a purple gemstone and a winged figurine taking flight. In this instance, the colour purple, which is frequently associated with notions of creativity, wisdom, dignity and independence as well as having certain spiritual or esoteric connotations, is representative of the aforementioned notion of intuition distinguished in particular individuals.

Slabbert utilises the snooker cues as well as the white cue ball and black number eight ball as metaphor for the twofold nature of life. Life, as in the game of snooker, is both a game of chance and a game of skill; you either win or lose at the game - it has a foregone conclusion, it is, simply, black- and-white.

Nevertheless, there are those brave individuals who follow their own intuition, who advocate the pursuit of one's own happiness, who value independence and self-reliance, and who oppose external interference upon their own interest by society or institutions, including government and religion. The winged figurine, in combination with the purple gemstone, is suggestive of such intuitive individuals. Taking advantage of the media of copper and silver, Slabbert delicately fashions the male figurine and the wings extended above him. The figurine and his wings are symbols of the idea of breaking away or letting go - the cost of flight.

Found objects