Doug Anderson

This installation is a contemporary interpretation of the Greek underworld. It contains three sections; Tartarus (hell for the wicked), Elysian Fields (heaven for the elite) and Asphodel. Asphodel is where the average souls drift aimlessly in an Alzheimer-like state, having drunk from the River of Lethe (forgetfulness). Tartarus is represented by an 8-foot square pencil drawing of a thousand naked figures standing shoulder to shoulder in concentric rings awaiting punishment from a circling wrecking ball physically suspended from the gallery ceiling. The Elysian Fields are depicted by Shards, a collection of tiny fragments with images of abundance and merriment embedded within the layers. Asphodel is represented by a large interactive installation constructed of 300 six-inch wide strips of tape suspend from the ceiling, that have been imprinted with human body parts from over 200 participants. The imprints have been dusted with ash and charcoal as well as stenciled images of the Asphodel flower. Visitors to the installation are invited to walk among the souls and place a written thought, dream, or regret into the Vessel of Lethe, where it dissolves into gibberish. The installation is completed with a looping sound track by Oregon composer, John McKinnon, that echos throughout the gallery.