“DEEP ROOTED” by Peter Deckers & Collaborators
The See Here: 20 October – 16 November 2014
DEEP ROOTED is an installation that examines the transformation of hunting from a survival necessity to a modern symbol of success. It subtly questions the practice of killing animals for sport, contrasting our primal hunting instincts with humanity’s compassionate and advanced qualities.
This installation is a collaborative project. Hilda Gascard’s animal designs and hard drive cutouts bring the hunted animals to life, while Rory, Alfie, & Gilbert Maher’s youthful background drawings on wall paper provide context. Peter Deckers ties these elements together, showcasing the diverse perspectives the installation evokes.
Today, hunting has become a metaphor for seeking success, achievements, and recognition. This shift reflects societal pressures to excel, often at the expense of personal well-being. The installation critiques this relentless pursuit, drawing parallels between ancient survival instincts and contemporary ambitions. It encourages viewers to reflect on the ethical implications of our modern-day “hunts.”
“DEEP-ROOTED” employs unconventional materials such as dead computer hard drives, an old gramophone, wallpaper, and an incandescent lamp to symbolise the intersection of technology and nature. These elements underscore how modern life, dominated by technology, has distanced us from our primal roots. The dead hard drives, in particular, symbolise the obsolescence and disposability of technology, paralleling the way animals are hunted and discarded for pleasure.
How can we progress from the ethical implications of our actions and grow beyond our primal inheritance? Pierre Teilhard de Chardin (1881-1955) is renowned for his theories on the evolution of humanity towards a final spiritual unity, encapsulated in his concept of the Omega Point. This concept refers to a hypothetical future event where the universe converges towards a final point of unification, achieving ultimate consciousness and complexity. It suggests a progression from current states of violence and destruction towards greater consciousness and unity, a process that could span many centuries or even millennia. How many technological advancements and social and cultural changes are needed to reach this unique point? That is my question now. Peter Deckers
