To Know

Cult of Knowledge

Hampden Gallery
University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA
168” x 168” x 42” + wall text
1993

Teeple during a performance event

Intent: To create an installation that addresses liquid and the activity of fluid movement as a model for the conception and dissemination of knowledge in the academic environment.

Description: Resembling a canal system or a moat, the installation takes the form of a large rectangle, fabricated in six-inch steel channel. This channel is supported at a height of forty-two inches, by eight, two-inch square legs. The channel contains and circulates water by four pumps; one located underneath each corner. On the surface of the water, and circulating at a meditative rate, float white-painted, wooden letters. The letters are from a statement addressing the education process. On the walls adjacent to the physical structure is the statement painted in white-stenciled letters.

Context: The conceptual stance of the piece is to focus attention on the education process in general and the exchange of knowledge specifically. Water movement, such as a stream in motion, is an ideal symbol for change and the transference of knowledge. It implies a source and a destination, which can be seen as an analogy for the teacher and a student. An educational institution is in constant flux, with a new body of students each semester. With developments in individual disciplines constantly occurring, we also see an evolution in the information that is being exchanged.

The letters floating in the channel in their non-linearity, a process of deconstruction, act as a message to the students: that information alone is not sufficient for balance or a complete education. Integrity and wisdom are essential ingredients as well. History has shown us that technology not aligned with wisdom can create ecological imbalance. Or, that a political party not instilled with compassion and moral value can create an unhealthy society. The same applies to the education process: information that is not imbued with context and is without wisdom generates a limited and biased perspective. The ideal educational experience not only transfers ideas and information to a student, but also teaches him or her to think and continue the learning process. Each letter in the channel acts as a piece of isolated information, that when reconstructed, has a greater meaning. Information with context leads to knowledge. Knowledge with vision becomes wisdom.