Runo Lagomarsino

Following the Light of the Sun, I Only Discovered the Ground / 2012–2014

Following the Light of the Sun, I Only Discovered the Ground / 2012–2014
Following the Light of the Sun, I Only Discovered the Ground / 2012–2014
Following the Light of the Sun, I Only Discovered the Ground / 2012–2014
Following the Light of the Sun, I Only Discovered the Ground / 2012–2014
Following the Light of the Sun, I Only Discovered the Ground / 2012–2014
Following the Light of the Sun, I Only Discovered the Ground / 2012–2014
Slide projection loop, 20 original images in a Kodak slide projection carousel with timer, sound: The Russian Anthem
Variable projection size

Following the Light of the Sun, I Only Discovered the Ground emphasizes the power dynamics related to cultural and historical judgments. The piece is a slide projection based on photographs retrieved from the archive of Zurab Tsereteli, a Georgian-Russian artist commissioned to build the tallest sculpture in the world to celebrate the 500th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’ voyage of “discovery”. The statue has never been completely assembled because it was continuously rejected by several American institutions. Its constituent parts have been moved around for over twenty years before finding a permanent display location in Puerto Rico where the statue is currently being assembled.
The images are accompanied by the Russian national anthem, creating possible misunderstandings that accentuate the idea of displacement and the arbitrary nature of history writing.