An Altered History of Time
Category: I
Year: 2016
Location: Saxmundham, Suffolk, UK
Artist: Andrew Smith
Year: 2016
Location: Saxmundham, Suffolk, UK
Artist: Andrew Smith
Taking one of the most well known science books, 'A Brief History of Time', by one of the most recognisable scientists or cosmologists, Stephen Hawking, I wanted to explore ideas about science theory and religious belief, and suggest that science fact or theory, in cosmology especially, is just as much a 'leap of faith' as religion, and that both are really only man-made stories.
Having painted the cover to disguise the true identity of the book and its author, I then wanted to introduce Hawking's image from the cover: and decided to enlarge it beyond recognition, and to use the exploded view first in the sequence of the book. This is accompanied by the words "If you look hard enough" (p33) "You may see what you want to see" (p67) as Hawking's face is revealed over time (p99, 133 etc).
I added the story of creation from the Book of Genesis (starts p51), as an alternative story of creation or how the universe might have come about: interleafing the creation story in Hawking's book juxtaposes religious belief and scientific belief as two opposing or complementary 'stories'. (Genesis continues on p85, 117 & 151.)
To complete the 'stamp' of Hawking's identity on the book, I wanted to put a hole right through it, a 'black hole' and preferably burn a hole right through the book to create a very rich black; with the added reference that fire or combustion is at the heart of so many processes in the universe - the book still smells smoky. The extra idea of burning or punching a hole in such an iconic scientific book further challenges the notion that science is fact, and hints at 'book burning' which is historically an emotive action.
It was impossible to burn a hole through a book, so I used a corer to gouge out the hole, and then burn the edges of the hole. Then re-using the paper circles from the 'holes', I attached them to string, which allows them to cascade freely from the book, or could be wound around. The string is also a quirky reference since Hawking mentions string theory in the book: and I like it that Hawking's words from the holes in the book are strung out along its length, but their meaning is jumbled.
Having painted the cover to disguise the true identity of the book and its author, I then wanted to introduce Hawking's image from the cover: and decided to enlarge it beyond recognition, and to use the exploded view first in the sequence of the book. This is accompanied by the words "If you look hard enough" (p33) "You may see what you want to see" (p67) as Hawking's face is revealed over time (p99, 133 etc).
I added the story of creation from the Book of Genesis (starts p51), as an alternative story of creation or how the universe might have come about: interleafing the creation story in Hawking's book juxtaposes religious belief and scientific belief as two opposing or complementary 'stories'. (Genesis continues on p85, 117 & 151.)
To complete the 'stamp' of Hawking's identity on the book, I wanted to put a hole right through it, a 'black hole' and preferably burn a hole right through the book to create a very rich black; with the added reference that fire or combustion is at the heart of so many processes in the universe - the book still smells smoky. The extra idea of burning or punching a hole in such an iconic scientific book further challenges the notion that science is fact, and hints at 'book burning' which is historically an emotive action.
It was impossible to burn a hole through a book, so I used a corer to gouge out the hole, and then burn the edges of the hole. Then re-using the paper circles from the 'holes', I attached them to string, which allows them to cascade freely from the book, or could be wound around. The string is also a quirky reference since Hawking mentions string theory in the book: and I like it that Hawking's words from the holes in the book are strung out along its length, but their meaning is jumbled.