Angels, Aliens and Archetypes is an astro-anthropologist
piece, a look into the very possible future of mankind as it documents its own past. The following is the
Curator's statement at its opening in the Earth Museum exhibition in 2134.
The Third World War devastated the Earth. What we now know is that a few surviving bands of humans still eke out a living in underground shelters. Over time, their children’s children have lost all memory of what civilization had been like before the war. Their Oral traditions are limited and much has been lost.The descendants of the survivors are terrified of what might await them outside of the caves. Only a few take the risk and venture above.
But Civilization did survive- a small colony emigrated to Mars in 2024, not knowing that they would not be able to return. For scientific purposes however, Astro-anthropologists Merritt and Olshan have managed to return to Earth every few years to document these changes and assess the possibility of a safe permanent return.
The photos document the return of man- some would say devolution- to his natural habitat. Merritt and Olshan have been able to trace a family through time, even recreating, in the Museum a replica shrine of the “original,” new family –crafted by a descendent. Walking through the room is a journey through time and survival for this “first family.” We begin to understand how even the most mundane objects left by devastation, become the seeds of rebirth.
Mankind had reverted to tribal societies- the artifacts tell the story of a couple, raised in separate tribes, who lived underground, fearful of the dangers they were warned, existed above. Yet they courageously ventured above, into the unknown and have managed to survive on their own.
And what they discover are common items from the not so distant past are key to their survival, on many levels. The most mundane items of a dead civilization become valued, precious heirlooms and adornments, while they utilize other items for basic survival. No different from our prehistoric ancestors, but in this difficult world dreams still creep in and universal memories are unlocked. At some point in time, they no longer distinguish between reality and the dream state.
So the man is a shaman of sorts for his new family, and among his sacred objects are dolls that he collects from the rubbish. In a transcendent dream state, he incorporates them into his persona and conjures up an other "self" a self he battles to survive. Sacred objects take on a life of their own - sometimes the dolls are as angels who watch over him and he must keep them near. But at other times he sees them as aliens that take over his body and then he fights to keep his soul. These dolls, once 20th century children's playthings, become transformative objects and help create a new belief system and foundation for the post-apocalyptic society. The Shaman's thought processes will seem alien to Olshan and Merritt. Life in the Mars Colony depends and thrives on science and technology.
The woman becomes a warrior and hunter. But she dreams of sexuality and motherhood, There is a primal instinct in her to keep the species alive- innate, and strong. It is she who creates an altar to the supreme-being her mate dreams of and there she prays for the chance to be a mother. The remains that fill her landscape are full of abandoned photos. The ones she finds of children attain a sacred status, and she embues them with a powerful magic. These she pastes onto her body, believing that magic will enter andgift her with children.
The shrine in the exhibition is a composite of sacred items, which have, in one way or another, proven their value to their daughter. As she ventures out on her own, the urban but desolate world she confronts gives her choices. To stay in fear or to become a pioneer. Objects are not only sacred, they are also tools. The objects of the past become the tools for the future, as she will recognize that the limits of what she can do is solely determined by her. She is part artist, part shaman, part scientist and all survivor in this new landscape. Those who follow her will rediscover the world and perhaps someday, welcome the travelers home.
All Images are from Merritt and Olshan's documentary collection.
The Third World War devastated the Earth. What we now know is that a few surviving bands of humans still eke out a living in underground shelters. Over time, their children’s children have lost all memory of what civilization had been like before the war. Their Oral traditions are limited and much has been lost.The descendants of the survivors are terrified of what might await them outside of the caves. Only a few take the risk and venture above.
But Civilization did survive- a small colony emigrated to Mars in 2024, not knowing that they would not be able to return. For scientific purposes however, Astro-anthropologists Merritt and Olshan have managed to return to Earth every few years to document these changes and assess the possibility of a safe permanent return.
The photos document the return of man- some would say devolution- to his natural habitat. Merritt and Olshan have been able to trace a family through time, even recreating, in the Museum a replica shrine of the “original,” new family –crafted by a descendent. Walking through the room is a journey through time and survival for this “first family.” We begin to understand how even the most mundane objects left by devastation, become the seeds of rebirth.
Mankind had reverted to tribal societies- the artifacts tell the story of a couple, raised in separate tribes, who lived underground, fearful of the dangers they were warned, existed above. Yet they courageously ventured above, into the unknown and have managed to survive on their own.
And what they discover are common items from the not so distant past are key to their survival, on many levels. The most mundane items of a dead civilization become valued, precious heirlooms and adornments, while they utilize other items for basic survival. No different from our prehistoric ancestors, but in this difficult world dreams still creep in and universal memories are unlocked. At some point in time, they no longer distinguish between reality and the dream state.
So the man is a shaman of sorts for his new family, and among his sacred objects are dolls that he collects from the rubbish. In a transcendent dream state, he incorporates them into his persona and conjures up an other "self" a self he battles to survive. Sacred objects take on a life of their own - sometimes the dolls are as angels who watch over him and he must keep them near. But at other times he sees them as aliens that take over his body and then he fights to keep his soul. These dolls, once 20th century children's playthings, become transformative objects and help create a new belief system and foundation for the post-apocalyptic society. The Shaman's thought processes will seem alien to Olshan and Merritt. Life in the Mars Colony depends and thrives on science and technology.
The woman becomes a warrior and hunter. But she dreams of sexuality and motherhood, There is a primal instinct in her to keep the species alive- innate, and strong. It is she who creates an altar to the supreme-being her mate dreams of and there she prays for the chance to be a mother. The remains that fill her landscape are full of abandoned photos. The ones she finds of children attain a sacred status, and she embues them with a powerful magic. These she pastes onto her body, believing that magic will enter andgift her with children.
The shrine in the exhibition is a composite of sacred items, which have, in one way or another, proven their value to their daughter. As she ventures out on her own, the urban but desolate world she confronts gives her choices. To stay in fear or to become a pioneer. Objects are not only sacred, they are also tools. The objects of the past become the tools for the future, as she will recognize that the limits of what she can do is solely determined by her. She is part artist, part shaman, part scientist and all survivor in this new landscape. Those who follow her will rediscover the world and perhaps someday, welcome the travelers home.
All Images are from Merritt and Olshan's documentary collection.
