The Cessation of Breath
Map
Map
Story & Experience
In 1997 I began a project titled, “The Cessation of Breath, A Mechanical Meditation on the Moment Before Death”. It is a site-specific artwork located in the watershed of the Ohio River valley that integrates forest, sculpture and human in an aesthetic meditation on impermanence. In the beginning of the project, I addressed the forest with the thought; “Teach me about impermanence, mortality and grief.” In retrospect, perhaps I should have asked about happiness and joy.
Sometime around 2010 the Emerald Ash Borer arrived in this Ash dominated forest. Over the next few years I watched the Ashes slowly die, starting at the tips, as the borer’s galleries girdled the trees. This was devastating for the forest, my work and myself.
While there is grief for the individual, the natural world just keeps evolving. I thought about commitment, marriage and the idea of “for better or worse” and decided to just keep evolving. The work and myself are different, but for now we continue.
In 1997 I began a project titled, “The Cessation of Breath, A Mechanical Meditation on the Moment Before Death”. It is a site-specific artwork located in the watershed of the Ohio River valley that integrates forest, sculpture and human in an aesthetic meditation on impermanence. In the beginning of the project, I addressed the forest with the thought; “Teach me about impermanence, mortality and grief.” In retrospect, perhaps I should have asked about happiness and joy.
Sometime around 2010 the Emerald Ash Borer arrived in this Ash dominated forest. Over the next few years I watched the Ashes slowly die, starting at the tips, as the borer’s galleries girdled the trees. This was devastating for the forest, my work and myself.
While there is grief for the individual, the natural world just keeps evolving. I thought about commitment, marriage and the idea of “for better or worse” and decided to just keep evolving. The work and myself are different, but for now we continue.
Why this Place?
The forest where I live and work
As a sculptor, I wanted to work intimately with the land. Inspired by writing of Wendell Berry, “I live in my work.” This land was purchased for the purpose of creating this work, which began in 1998.
Act of Beauty
My art is intended to raise the issue of impermanence in a visceral way for a viewer and create a time and space for reflection. This is based on the conviction that consideration of impermanence and mortality is necessary for creative and sustainable living for individual creatures as well as the collective. This work has ranged from large environmental installations to small intimate hand-held works. More of this work can be seen at http://www.stevenfinke.com
Additional Photos
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