Deer Isle
Acadia National Park, Maine, Etats-Unis
2009

granite

On Deer Isle, nature's presence reminds us of an original untouched state, which has a fundamental influence upon one's very first impression. The granitic substratum and vegetation, shores and the sea, protected by outlying islands, are in a balance of quiet, radiant stability with the sensitive natural elements, forming a specific spatiotemporal experience. According to my impressions of the quality of the natural constituents of the island, which include important geographical and ecological features, as well as social aspects, my personal connection with the space was reinforced, while the time and the boundaries of the present expanded. The past is transparent from the beginning of written history, and perhaps due to that relative brevity, this element has become personalized by the persons relating to historical facts. From the period preceding the arrival of the first immigrants, only “prehistoric” memories are known primarily from archaeological reminiscences, while the arrival of the first European immigrants has radically interrupted that linearity. It is surprising from the perspective of an Eurasian historical experience. On the one hand, it reminded me of the different approach to time of these two cultures, while on the other hand the written reports and analyses recalled the outcome of the shocking conflicts provoked by the encounter of the various cultures. Relating this to New England in general, it is certainly an important historical footnote, although in Acadia National Park and on Deer Isle, the spatiotemporal experience is evocative most notably of change brought on natural factors.


The Deer Isle project was formed without preconceived plans. Specific concepts were developed through interactions with the natural features of the location, and with consideration of the factors mentioned above. Responding as a sculptor using material native to the island determined the possibilities of the project. The space required large dimensions, while the weight constraints and technical-technological conditions set boundaries for the project. In the course of examining the possibilities for the sculpture, I visited a dramatic variety of locations on Deer Isle and on Crotch Island, the quarry from which the granite was donated. Places, people, dialogues: the idea evolved under different impressions while searching for the alternatives.


The interpretation of the work depends entirely on its environment. The gesture is extremely simple and the conceptual aspects – the sphere of which is intimate, poetic and personal – are evoked by a combined interactive-interpretative presence of several different elements, as well as the most natural placement of the work in the natural context.