LUIS VELASCO
Photography
Terra Incognita seeks to interpret the environment while holding a critical focus on the liminality of the present and the fragility of our industrialized topographic landscape. The work utilizes found material to provoke conversation about the shared landscape, the materialistic tendencies of our society, and the physical (and consequently psychological) changes of our landscape. The recognition of spaces and objects define our existence and relationship to the past, present, and future. Terra Incognita manifests as sculptural forms composed of drift wood and drift lumber collected from a chain of lakes that border a landfill. The choice of the material addresses the passage of time as it relates to our industrial topography (houses, buildings, roads, etc.). The material context of my work is crucial to the conceptualization of the "liminality of the present and the fragility of our topographic landscape." The landscape my work is concerned with is one in a never ending flux due to man-made alterations, this landscape is therefore fragile as it is subjected to constant stylistic changes to suit the ever expanding demands of our society. The installation of the work around the perimeter of the state of Florida is directly related to the idea of presencial liminality. The sculptures' existence in public spaces addresses their own existence in their susceptibility to the changes of our landscape. The sculptures will face similar elements of change that any other structure would face once it is publicly available for use and consumption.
Terra Incognita, 2020-2021
Driftwood, Drift lumber, Paper, Ink,
GPS coordinates
Dimensions variable