Civilization, 1990 - 1991

Italian Marble;

Femur 205 x 73 x 50 cm (81 x 29 x 20 inches),

Jaw 111 x 66 x 35 cm (44 x 26 x 14 inches),

Scull cap 152 x 109 x 66 cm (60 x 43 x 26 inches),

Thumb bones 50 x 25 x 15 cm (20 x 10 x 6 inches),

35 x 27 x 15 cm (14 x 11 x 6 inches),

25 x 17 x 12 cm (10 x 7 x 5 inches),

Rib 203 x 27 x 20 cm (80 x 11 x 8 inches),

5 small parts in various sizes

The image is of fragments of human bones, seemingly scattered (arranged) on ground level - 12 fragments in total (beginning weight approximately 7 tons, of Carrara marble), 5 pieces reminiscent of bone chips and 7 specific and recognizable as the brain case/skull cap (Mentality), the top half of the femur (Upright Mobility), the last or bottom floating rib (Breath or Spirit), one half of the jaw (Verbal Communication), and the three sections of the thumb (Dexterity or Industry). These are very obviously human-made in human image and not meant to be understood as gigantic human bones. The field of experience in this work is important, as it is in Reconciliation 1989 and Nine Grains of Rice, 1990.

The psychological authority of scale is also of fundamental importance in this work, where the familiar image scale is changed, and yet the familiar relationship with objects is maintained within the experienced field. The relationship with the thigh bone, for instance, is like that with a fallen tree trunk on which one could sit.

The piece is about history and the passage of time.

Please see also: 

Bones of the Idea - John Greer's work Civilization in context.

retroActive 2015 at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, Halifax, NS, Canada

Civilization at the Confederation Centre Art Gallery and Museum, Charlottetown, PEI, Canada

more text in regard to this work is in Art Up On Life / The world in us

Text in Deutscher Sprache zu dieser Arbeit finden sie in Kunst Auf Ueber Leben / Die Welt in uns

Below are detail shots of the work Civilization in the warehouse. Please click on any image to enlarge and/ or start the slide show.