Satellites (2017)
Humans have felt a strong connection to astronomical objects since ancient times. Some of the oldest examples of art and literature, from the Mayan Popol Vuh to Homer’s Iliad, personify the sun and moon, often portraying them as twin deities. For this series, I chose to depict the connections between celestial bodies and humankind, specifically in the nature of satellites. In these works, I seek to capture the sensation of revolving around something or someone else, both physically and figuratively. The six moons, which are based on actual moons of various planets in our solar system, represent six different personalities, as can be inferred by their forms and textures as well as the names given to them by their discoverers. The planet in the middle, which is loosely based on an image of Earth, represents a conglomeration of everything and everyone that people might center their lives on: their family members, faiths, passions, or vices.
This figurative concept of revolution exists because humans innately question the true purpose of their lives. Most people will strive to have their lives revolve around some greater purpose, perhaps to serve a divine power or improve the lives of their loved ones. In a sense this can be related to how the moon serves our planet; going so far as to move oceans and balance the planet’s rotation, even when we cannot see it.
This comparison is especially apparent in beings that are considered to be more feminine. Although lunar gods are not unheard of, our moon has most often been portrayed as female, and has been given the feminine name Luna, a Latin word for moon. There is something to be said for the fact that for millennia, humans have stood and basked in the moon’s radiance and thought fondly of a fierce huntress or a divine mother. Of course, women are not obligated to conform to these ideals of femininity, but there is definitely a tendency for them to be subtle and empathetic in nature, and to feel compelled to serve others selflessly.
Being a satellite is nothing to be ashamed of though. The moon is written about in myth and legend, sonnet and song. It has heard our secrets when no one else was awake; and on a cloudless night it shines bright enough to guide any traveler home.
