Artist
Manolis D. Lemos
Title
Silent Hysteria II
Date
2016
Medium
Petroleum and water in iron tanks.
Dimensions
Dimensions variable
Title
Not Yet Titled (Oil Spill Fire)
Date
2016
Medium
Acrylic spray paint on canvas, Inkjet print on Fine Art paper and aluminum frame
Dimensions
128cm x 280cm
Silent Hysteria II and Not Yet Titled (Oil Spill Fire) are the second chapter of D. Lemos’ series Crooked Grid Crude Carrier, in which he juxtaposes references to modernism and petroleum as two conflicting symbols on the way we dream about the future.
The modernist and minimalist references imply an idealistic vision, whereas oil, an element of dense narrative value, which summarises the anthropocene’s relationship to earth, especially in the last two centuries, – as in the ‘Silent Hysteria II’ oil tanks – functions as a symbol for pragmatism.
The works are about shattered dreams, about giving up on one’s dreams (or not) and as an extension about the role of art in times of crisis. A starting point in this body of work is personal for the artist, as his father was involved in the Greek oil industry and socialist politics throughout his career.
In a way, these works function as seascapes of silent hopes and dreams to contradicting directions.
The photograph in Not Yet Titled (Oil Spill Fire) is from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, the largest marine oil spill in history, which started in April 20, 2010.
