An Aleatory History of the Stick
2014 - Film & Video (Film & Video)
Michael Linares
After two years of research in close conversation with anthropologists and archaeologists, Linares eventually enrolled in classes to study archeology—specifically the history of material artifacts. He became obsessed with the origin of metaphor, and the stick as the Ur (earliest) object used by humans that led to the formation of meaning itself. This video, which accompanies the “Museum of the Stick,” is part of major work surveying material culture collected and presented by the artist through a complex narrative of associations and anthropological research. Here “aleatory” means not just random but subject to the complex and organic forces of chance. “As early as the Pliocene epoch, the stick as a specific, three-dimensional form has played a vital role in the technological, social, political, aesthetic, and religious development of humanity and some animal species. The chimpanzee’s tool that catches termites, the facial ornamentation of the Yanomami people, the Shulgi of Ur’s weaponry—as well as the toothpick, knitting needle, and vaulting-pole—all represent a minute slice of the myriad transfigurations that this form has undergone throughout history.”
Michael Linares (San Juan, Puerto Rico) asks critical questions about the most fundamental forms and concepts of art. His recent work has combined physical comedy with formal abstraction, scholarly research and quotidian material culture. Through staging conceptual acts, often as ruptures of artworld conventions, he slyly invites new ways of seeing what’s been in front of us all along.
Colors:
Related works sharing similar palette
© » THEARTNEWSPER
Arnolfini censorship row deepens as artists refuse to work with the Bristol institution Art market Museums & heritage Exhibitions Books Podcasts Columns Technology Adventures with Van Gogh Search Search Censorship news Arnolfini censorship row deepens as artists refuse to work with the Bristol institution The dispute was sparked by a decision to cancel Palestine Film Festival events Gareth Harris 14 December 2023 Share Signatories say that the Arnolfini's cancellation is "part of an alarming pattern of censorship and repression within the arts sector" Courtesy Artists for Palestine UK More than 1,000 cultural figures—including the artists Ben Rivers, Brian Eno and Tai Shani—are refusing to work with the Arnolfini contemporary arts centre in Bristol, UK, after the institution cancelled two events last month as part of the city’s Palestine Film Festival...
© » ARTS EQUATOR
UNHEARD: Hearing Singapore women composers loud and clear | ArtsEquator Thinking and Talking about Arts and Culture in Southeast Asia ArtsEquator Viewpoints Jamie Chan March 3, 2022 By Nicole Toh (825 words, 3-minute read) “When do women get to be heard for who we are?” That was the question raised by Rachel Lim, a Singaporean soprano and UNHEARD ’s founder at the start of the concert...
© » KADIST
Naresh Kumar
2015“Relation between Black and blood” explores the connection between performance, installation and representation...
© » ARTS EQUATOR
Creature comforts: "Creatures of Near Kingdoms" | ArtsEquator Thinking and Talking about Arts and Culture in Southeast Asia Articles Zedeck Siew / Tumblr April 1, 2020 By Kathy Rowland (650 words, 4-minute read) Zedeck Siew’s Creatures of Near Kingdoms is fashioned as a bestiary, detailing the appearance, characteristics, and habitats of 50 animals and 25 plants...
© » LARRY'S LIST
We truly believe that art is for everyone: Kiran Nadar | Mint Lounge advertisement | Logout Log in/Register Home News Big Story Opinion Talking Point Food Cook Drink Discover Fashion Trends Shop Beauty How To Lounge Movies & Tv Art & Culture Books Smart Living Environment Innovation Health Wellness Fitness Relationships Raising Parents It's Complicated Pets Brand Stories Bookmarks Photos Videos Big Story Opinion Talking Point Latest Issue About Us Privacy Policy Terms And Conditions new-article 111628248444886 https://lifestyle.livemint.com story https://lifestyle.livemint.com How To Lounge /how-to-lounge/art-culture/we-truly-believe-that-art-is-for-everyone-kiran-nadar-111628248444886.html https://images.livemint.com/img/2021/08/06/68x68/Kiran_Nadar_Revised_1628248685275_1628248709909.jpg Home News Food Fashion How To Lounge Smart Living Health Relationships PHOTOS VIDEOS QUICK READS Home > How To Lounge > Art & Culture > We truly believe that art is for everyone: Kiran Nadar We truly believe that art is for everyone: Kiran Nadar As Kiran Nadar Museum of Art enters its second decade, its founder reflects on the journey so far and plans to open yet another museum in Delhi /how-to-lounge/art-culture/we-truly-believe-that-art-is-for-everyone-kiran-nadar-111628248444886.html 111628248444886 story Kiran Nadar, the founder of KNMA...
© » ARTS EQUATOR
Weekly Southeast Asia Radar: UNESCO honour for Pencak Silat; Saigon car crash | ArtsEquator Thinking and Talking about Arts and Culture in Southeast Asia ArtsEquator Radar Khun Vannak December 18, 2019 ArtsEquator’s Southeast Asia Radar features articles and posts about arts and culture in Southeast Asia, drawn from local and regional websites and publications – aggregated content from outside sources, so we are exposed to a multitude of voices in the region...