CARNYX

About

Theo Papandreopoulos sculpture and sound works in this exhibition interrogate the associations of historical symbolism, modern technology, and masculinity. By amalgamating natural and traditional elements, such as beetle horns and Japanese armour crests, with industrial materials like car parts and stainless steel, Papandreopoulos creates a multi-sensory experience that evokes both threat and intrigue. The accompanying sound works add another experiential dimension, translating the visual into sound, and reinforcing the perceptible substance of the concerns being dealt with.

The exhibition's focus on speed, competition, and force underscores the underlying power dynamic that Papandreopoulos connects with the lineage of male animal males, who are as tiny as beetles and particularly salient in their mating rituals. The use of horns as a means of asserting dominance and securing mating partners points to the performativity of these instincts across species. The incorporation of technology probes how the expression of these instincts shaped and was shaped by scientific advancements.

Papandreopoulos' sculptural and sound works are the culmination of a nearly yearlong interdisciplinary exploration into engineering principles, particularly those related to mechanical systems and sound transmission. Integrating engineering into the aesthetic and conceptual design required a complex synthesis of traditional and modern techniques. The creative process involved a rigorous iterative approach, beginning with sketches and digital renderings for most of the works. Subsequent research into materials and techniques involved consultation with engineers and mechanics, followed by countless trials and errors. The integration of contrasting materials, such as natural horns and industrial metals, posed significant challenges in terms of material handling, cutting, and fitting.

Specific challenges encountered during the fabrication process included achieving stability in the design of Goliath, acquiring the necessary car parts to make it perceptually hover above the floor, and ensuring surgical precision in the wiring of beetle horns to suspend them at the helm of the sculpture. Collaboration with metalworking specialists was crucial for creating other sections, such as the intricate wireframe helmet-like form around the fragile and delicate beetle horns.

Exhausthorn presented the most unexpected challenges due to its dual function as a sculpture and a musical instrument. The sound works required extensive research and experimentation to develop a functional instrument that aligned with the overall conceptual and aesthetic framework. The creation of this piece involved the lengthiest iterative process of experimentation and adjustment, with a primary focus on achieving the desired sound quality.

The final outcome of Papandreopoulos' exploration is a cohesive set of works that offer a multidimensional experience, of spatially inclusive sculptures and evocative experimental sound works to create a unified installation.