Zhivago Duncan
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Under the Volcano : Chic by Accident

Past exhibition
11 November - 12 December 2020
  • Works
  • Installation Views
  • Press release
ZMD Alchemic Charge, 2020 Black Raku Ceramic 73 x 39 cm 28.7 x 15.3 inch
ZMD
Alchemic Charge, 2020
Black Raku Ceramic
73 x 39 cm
28.7 x 15.3 inch
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About When Our Pineal Glands Were Big

Over the past three years Zhivago has been focusing on a narrative of creation titled When Our

Pineal Glands Were Big where he intertwines various ancient myths and symbology to scientific

research, noncanonical and canonical literature. Duncan’s theory digs a tunnel across these

passed-on legends connecting them through the evolution of Consciousness and the human

mind.

Comprised of a series of paintings and sculptures, the work serves as on-going narrative about

pre-human existence, the understanding of the gap between metaphysical and physical

realities and an ethereal pre human / post conscious world that once existed where

architecture and form held philosophical, scientific and theanthropic values.

 

About Under The Volcano

The four carved black Raku ceramic totems shown portray examples of Zhivago Duncan’s visual

language unique to his story.

In this particular installation, through the process and materiality of the art work Zhivago

creates a link to the Polynesian Goddess Pele that he had encountered during his younger

years living on the island of Maui, Hawaii. Pele, in Hawaiian culture, is responsible for the

controlling of lava flows, volcanic activity and subsequently the creator of the Hawaiian

archipelago - the installation reflects on the creation of energy and life within the sanctuary of

volcanic caves under the impact of heat and pressure.

The Raku ceramic pieces when fired for a second time are taken out of the kiln at one thousand

degrees Celsius, while still glowing like red molten lava; the totems are then placed in large

steel barrels filled with paper. The red hot ceramics touch the paper and immediately set it

ablaze, then the steel barrels are covered shut to suffocate the flames inundating the barrel

and the ceramic in smoke. The smoke penetrates the white ceramic leaving it permanently

stained in the characteristic matt black of traditional Raku.

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