Anya Gallaccio

'Beauty' 1991-2003

By using organic materials within my practice the process of decay is a constant and present process within my work. It exists as a reminder of the fragile and transient nature of organic matter and life itself. The above work by Anya Gallaccio demostrates this decaying process by using flowers (Gerberas to be exact) left overtime these flowers become something quite different from the perfect structured flower head and stem. Turning into a panel of mould and slimey substance.  
​Having worked with flowers for 17 years as a proffession this moulding process is something i have experienced first hand. Gerberas especially take to the 'decaying' process quickly; their thin flower head and spongy hollow stem make for a quick deterioration into a decayed state. This break down of elemental materials is something i wish to focus on. It is the delicate and precarious state of not only the natural world around us but our ever increasing reliance on hyper/digital technology; the control this has within our lives and the consequences of a sudden need to have to survive without it that i wish to highlight!!!!

'Intensities & Surfaces' 1996

This work by Anya Gallacio consists of a solid block of ice bricks with a block of rock salt within it. Lit from within it was placed in a large industrial space and left to melt. Because the space was colder than expected the work remained longer than intended. The salt placed within it meant that the 'melting' was unpredictable and the ice degenorated in different areas. The fact that the piece was placed within  an industrial space meant that the viewer made the viewing of the work consiously; they expected, to see a block of ice within the space. This takes away the element of surprise. (Thoughts of Andy Goldsworthy's Snowball's placed within the streets of London on Midsummers day generate a real sense of surprise!!)
​These points are things to take into consideration when working with materials in a frozen state:

• ​How long will it take to melt/breakdown
• Where would the form/work be placed for showing to an audience

https://imageobjecttext.com/2012/07/20/slowly-diminishing-sculpture/(accessed 12/1/17)
http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/anya-gallaccio-2658 (accessed 12/1/17)
​http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/art/3617902/A-dying-art.html (accessed 12/1/17)