ECHO, 2001-2004
In Greek mythology, Echo was a mountain nymph. She distracted Hera with her chatter
while her husband Zeus was involved in an amorous adventure. Having found out,
in revenge, Hera made Echo unable to speak, except to repeat another’s
last words.
In time, Echo fell in love with Narcissus, and when he rejected her, she slowly
walked and withered away until only her resonant voice remained in the hills.
In another myth, the beautiful Echo was loved and pursued by Pan, who caused
his shepherds to tear her body apart because she would not allow him to seduce
her. Gaea (Terra) buried her limbs, scattering the other body parts in the fields
for the vultures.
In these three cabinets, working with actual money (dollars=universal exchange),
Echo is released from her sexual and mythical identities, transfigured as an
anatomical/chemical force in all humans. For an artist living in the 21st Century,
this work marks a time of purging and transforming of my pictorial and sentimental
heritage.