stones
-landmark intervention-
“ephemeral landmarks”
In the coastline of Bretagne (FR) you might still find -apparently invisible and merged with the landscape - small mountains of black railway pebbles (stones) placed at your disposal to be thrown in the sea. Its not a sculpture, it has no author, it is there to provoke the “throw” of any visitor. It is there as a landmark.
This intervention (through the presence of the stone mountain) wishes to amplify the visitors landscape exploring experience. It is installed in landscape landmarks (places that we usually see from far away and never visit).
The proposal was to install a mountain of stones at -hard to reach- locations as as a trophy, a question of presence and absence of happenings.
The piece initiated a scepticism on the remaining value of ephemeral and anonymous street art, and therefore it resulted in a short mute film. see below.
The object (600 stones) black stones collected along train railways The installation The stones are abandoned on the seafront in a form of a small mountain. Ready to be thrown in the water. Intervention by visitors is encouraged and therefore the installation is ephemeral. The installation is organic and wishes to merge in with the natural landscape (mountain form), but at the same time to maintain its artificial “plasticity” placed by man - intervention. The landmark The site chosen is an apparently inaccessible landmark. A site that one often observes from a distance but rarely visits because of its uncertain accessibility. Often hidden, accessible and rarely dangerous. Acts as a “bouy” and engages a visiting experience. The situation This intervention (through the presence of an object - stone) wishes to amplify the visitors exploring experience. The stone throwing - despite its apparent simplicity - engages the body to experience the metaphorical “texture” of the landscape. The throwing action (both as a game or as a action of solitude and contemplation) eventually connects the thrower with the surrounding elements (land, sea and the distance). The stone voyages to the horizon. The artistic process The process suggests a physical but philosophical/conceptual aspect of “journey”. An experiential relationship with a landscape. The stones are collected, carried and “abandoned”. The landmark is highlighted and recreated. The origin of the stones (railway) suggest geographical connectivity and voyage. The installation is ephemeral and fulfils itself through the intervention of each visitor. It diminishes and eventually disappears. “The piece has no author, no duration. It exists through reproduction at new landmarks.” Concept, direction & performance: Xristo Kaouki Video, production team: Giorgos Maraziotis, Anastasia Papaleonida, Xristo Kaouki, Marion renard Photography: Anastasia Papaleonida, Video montage: Xristo Kaouki February 2015, Finistere artistic residency, Moelan-sur-mer, France
