Is This Your Face? No! It is the Face of your Mother and Father
Each artwork relates to a particular document, postcard or image dating from the year 1764. They are the result of research into personal history and genetics. Layers and layers of infinite generations have created who we are. It is an exploration of where we come from in terms of our existence. The very beginnings of the development of life in terms of an infinite time sequence. Generation charts have been worked onto the paper like watermarks. Allusion to time and memory in the form of patterns and geometric shapes are evident in the artworks, as well as mapping and diagrammatic drawings relating to genetics. Some artworks are a reversed image of an artwork. The reverse image suggests that things are often not what they first appear to be. There is so much more to a person or to life than we can ever know by appearance. There is complexity behind the perceived image. Each art work can be referenced to the relevant document, letter, postcard, or has post office stamps to indicate place and date.
Media: Aluminium, mirrors, cheque book stubs, teabag paper.
Size: Each 118cm x 95cm.
The Artworks: History and Genetics
1 Herr Director! 1918
Inspired by an original letter written by the German military during the First World War, to my great grandfather Hermann Eisner. Eisner was the inventor of the first ‘voice box’ in Germany before the First World War. It was used for people who were injured in the throat.
2 Herr Director! 1918
A mirrored image of ‘Herr Director! 1918’, the artwork also shows mappings of generations of people which indicate the many layers of traits that families inherit from each other.
3 Replicating Genetic Information
The diagram shows genetic information retained in polymers that have reversible main bonding. Certain repetitive markings are seen throughout the series of artworks. These are related to transferring elements in nature such as DNA. DNA is the only gene in nature that can copy or code for itself. It is self-replicating. Intrinsic in this idea is a cubular three-dimensional puzzle called ‘Artists Block’ which is presently being patented.
4 Replicating Genetic Information
A mirrored image of ‘Replicating Genetic Information’. The diagram shows genetic information retained in polymers that have reversible main bonding.
5 Testament, 1927
The Will and Testement of Hermann Eisner in April 1927.
6 Testament, 1927 Mirrored image.
Will and Testament of Eisner in April 1927.
7 Post Card from Bremen, 1924
A post card written by Eva and Herman Eisner to their family telling about a cruise they had enjoyed on the ‘New York Bremen’ in 1924.
8 Post Card from Bremen, 1924
A post card written by Eva and Hermann Eisner to their family telling about a cruise they had enjoyed on the ‘New York Bremen’ in 1924. 9 Death of Felix A letter written in 1917 on the Homocord letterhead declared the death of my grandmother's first husband at the age of 23 in the First World War. The Homocord company was owned by my great grandfather Hermann Eisner, director of the Homofone company.