AND THERE A BRONZE NAIL STOPPED THE GUSH OF BLOOD AND SENT IT BUBBLING BACK INSIDE
Jay Mosher
The Main Gallery . January 28 – March 4, 2016
Opening Reception: Thursday, January 28, from 7 pm – 10 pm
Harcourt House Artist Run Centre, 3rd floor, 10215 – 112 St, Edmonton
And There a Bronze Nail Stopped the Gush of Blood and Sent It Bubbling Back Inside forms part of an ongoing investigation into the romantic potential of processes of decay. The exhibition focuses on a natural system singular to the mangrove tree. Found in brackish water, mangroves filter the intake of fresh water and effectively store any residual salt within a sacrificial leaf made conspicuous by its yellow colour. Recent studies, however, suggest that the so-called ‘sacrificial leaf’ contains no more salt than its green counterparts thus mystifying this act of ‘sacrifice’.
This unusual leaf shares the same purpose as a manufactured object called galvanic anode, also known as sacrificial anode. Made of metal of low density like aluminum or zinc, these objects are fastened to metal structures in harsh environments to protect them from corrosion, like boats in saltwater. Domestic water boilers work on the same principle, using anodes to inhibit internal corrosion.
These ubiquitous metal objects are hidden from sight within the familiar, desirable exteriors of everyday objects. By installing various styles of commercial and industrial sacrificial anodes throughout the main space, each accented by a bronze mangrove leaf secured by a zip-tie, the exhibition will make visible that which are normally concealed. The end result will be a static dance of material property and density intended to expose other “sacrificial” memes.
Jay Mosher is an artist based in Calgary. He received an MFA from the Glasgow School of Art in 2013. Recent exhibitions include: Brasília, Untitled Art Society, Calgary (2015), Future Station: The Alberta Biennial, Art Gallery of Alberta, Edmonton (2015), …Landscape, dc3 Art Projects, Edmonton (2014), Comfortably Warm (with Lauren Hall), Glasgow International Festival (2014), Talisman (collaboration with Rory Middleton), The New Gallery, Calgary (2012).
