artist statement
In 1826 Muller presented a theory of insects vision according to which the retinal image should be upright. Muller had in fact realised that the so-called compound eye consisted of a large number of elements (ommatidia), each representing a black pigmented tube. These tubes are arranged radially on the surface of the hemisphere since it is obvious that only rays which are incident approximately along the axis of each can reach its base. Paraphrased from writings of Sigmund Exner
I sit here thinking about a work not yet made. I flick through the drawings in my mind. How do I explain that which is not yet here? How do I know what it is that a fly sees, or how an ant discovers supplies at the end of the invisible trail? The flicker of light is my desire and the cave is the hiding-place. How to find the sensorial capacity, the character of the body? What happens when one writes without seeing? I trip over lines, I grope in the darkness of the potential. Underfoot I discover the cables that feed me, that excite and consume me. There is a ringing in my ears, it echoes and I give in to the momentum.
references
The water works of Robyn Backen by Susan Best, Eyeline, Spring 1998
United in a natural division by Ben Genocchio, Business Weekly Review, Aug 25 1997
Perspecta Perspectives by Susan Chenery, Metro SMH, Aug 8 1997
credits
Thanks to Helen Backen and Helen Bauman
