Galatean Heritage

Installation, self-growing sculptur
generative system

2007

performing a bachelorette’s birth

The hybrid relationship between technical and biological material and phenomenon is a central and recurring topic in Judith Fegerl’s work. “Galatean Heritage” confronts the mechanical with the biological generative process and reflects on the artist’s position as a woman engaged in creative production. This disembodied creational procedure contrasts female and male symbols of generation.

The ivory statue Galatea made by the Greek sculptor Pygmalion, a mythological character in Ovid’s Metamorphosis, stands for the ever-ongoing (male) ambition to create a human being artificially.

“Galatean Heritage” translates this metamorphosis as a self growing amorphous sculpture, developing during the time exhibited. Here the artist created the framework and premises necessary for the development of an object, but does not interfere with the production process itself. As Judith Fegerl often replicates biological functions technically she speaks of “outsourcing” and thus preserving certain aspects of organic processes.

A machine grown unique object - the “Amnion” is the result of this solemn long-term production, it is paraffin-preserved and maintained in this state.

>> Amnion #01/2007
preserved specimen, machinegrown object (16 weeks)

>> The Liberation of the Amnion
Drawing, Table of Growth, Einwartung, 2007

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