Uncertain (Diploma Project)

Concept

The human being, by nature, tends to “climb”, develop. This conviction is so intense that, until recently, the linguists believed that the word “anthropos” originates from the two greek words “ano” (over) and “throsko” (I look). Each step may be uncertain, but it is at the same time necessary, for anything that does not evolve, dies.

On the other hand, every step is a cycle of our life, which shall not be repeated. Evidently, whichever the number of steps we “pass”, there will always be similarities with the previous ones. We always begin, believing in something better, and along the way, we encounter obstacles and difficulties – maybe similar to the previous ones and at the end, a new step awaits us; and the more we walk, better is our momentum to take up the next.

However, shall the next step be easier or more difficult? Will it take us higher? We sure would love to know! We would love to know the future, to be better prepared!

But the answer is behind us. It is in our experiences, which shall repeat themselves. And he, who does not know his own history, shall be compelled to relive it. And what about us? Do we learn from our past in order to climb another step, or do we just settle with “passing” from one step to the other, repeating the same errors in a never ending circle?

A work to which I wish the spectator would come closer; and participate, if possible. The structures offer exactly that element, allowing the public to be part of the work. The first idea of this project was the similarity of our life with a cone; When you start carefree and relaxed, you may thereafter encounter difficulties which will only increase towards the end, whilst if you start with a greater effort, you shall be better prepared and it could be that, by the end, everything will become easier. However, such a structure gives neither the sense of uncertainty nor the sense of repetition of our life. A stair, on the other hand, corresponds best to our life; we go ahead – even more tired under yet another aspect, towards another step. With each step, we find ahead uncertainty. A shapeless stair, hence, with irregular steps, could be the best to give this sense of uncertainty we experience with every step. And a short video at the end, repeated endlessly, forcing us to wonder whether our steps are leading us higher...

A few words

This work consists in a stair (structure), a video and a model.