A conceptual art study inspired by Leonardo da Vinci's 'Vitruvian Man' sketch.
It has been conceived by P.F. Joseph 'Joe' Campbell and developed with the assistance of We Collective.
Proud to be part of United Arts Club Members Xmas Show Nearly Nothing: Print 3102
Thursday, 20th November, Fitzwilliam St., Dublin 2.
Comment
PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT
The Concept.
'Vitruvian Man' Leonardo da Vinci (c.1492-93) is undoubtedly one of the most iconic images of the 15th century Renaissance. It is synonymous with man in perfect proportion to, and in harmony with, his environment. The simplicity of the line drawing hides the mastery of the mathematical contruction. The internet is awash with treatise and graphic videos which serve to deconstruct the maths and aid with visualization. Conspiracy theories abound. Here we will explore a more esoteric interpretaion.
Leonardo's sketch first appeared in my work when I used it as the background video for my poem 'Movement of Feathers'. 'Vitruvian Man' as he learns to fly and transforms into a dove of peace.
'Learning to Fly' has been conceived by Joe as an attempt to interpret the poetic meaning behind the straight lines and circle within which the perfect man is inscribed. 'Am I he?' Hmmmm.... We all know that man cannot fly, but that shouldn't stop him wanting to try. Here we take that flight-of-fancy.
A man in perfect proportion is what I am., well, in perfect proportion to myself. And, if you measure yourself against yourself, you will find that you too are in perfect proportion to yourself... but probably not in exact proportion to either Vitruvius' or Leonardo's measure. And just like the circle and square conundrum, the shape of each person is irreconcilable in a perfect form, except to ourselves, making us all perfect... or, maybe, slightly imperfect...?
Even Leonardo's archtetypal perfect man is but an aggregate of the many cadavers he dissected and meticulously measured, then reassembled in perfect symmetry. No person is perfectly symmetrical. It is our faults and mutations that make us different and, therefore, beautifully perfectly imperfect.
And here, in the middle of the techno-socio revolution, we question what it is to be a perfect man...? Is it a perfect shape (which is only but an aggregate)? Or, Is there more inside me that tells who I really am? Am I even a man?
This project started off in casual dialogue over herbal tea and biscuits. Michael was planning his Model S*X magazine programme and was looking for willing victims to be interviewed, and asked me. This sparked a converation about how would a person describe the multifaceted persona that make them up in a short interview.
We decided that we should continue the conversation and planned a photo shoot afternoon in his garden, with me wearing the clothes that he has designed. In an ad-hoc manner I brought my little handheld HD camera and decided to film this test sketch video with no particular end outcome in mind.
As the editing process began and our research into the Vitruvian Man deepened it further fueled the dialogue between the object, creator and observer. A soundtrack was required, copyright is a substantial problem, so, an original composition was scored. Eva joined the dialogue and a script was written. We Collective was born.
The project is envisioned as a multimedia installation formed around a tryptych of videos. This first video is a sketch for the centrepiece 'In the Garden', a representation of the human form in harmony with nature. The other two videos will record the history of society from the 15th Century Renaisance up to the present Renaissance 21C.
This history is lined with a burst of great discovery and positive social upheaval; the Guthenburg press and the spread of knowledge; the ascendency of science; the diminishing of the Church's authority; the Nation state; the roundness of the world. And the great (for some) Age of Enlightenment; Libertie, Egalite, Fraternite; and the science that leads to the James Webb telescope.
But, it is also responsible for equally disasterous consequences; industrialization and the Carbon imbalance; totalitarianism; the slave trade; building of toxic empires; an oil dependent growth economy; plastic; nuclear weapons.
"The secret of change is to focus all your energy ,
not on fighting the old, but on building the new.
" Socrates
Renaissance 21C, the techno-socio revolution has begun! No-one quite knows exactly when but, here it is bulldozing it's way over all the belief systems of our past.
Technology and society have always had a symbiotic relationship. History is marked by great epochs of dependent growth cycles; pottery, farming, the wheel, the bronze age giving way to the iron-age, the first inscribed clay tablets, etc. These ages bookmark mass social changes as our cultures and societies developed from hunter-gatherer to the city state.
And now, once more, digital technology has come to disrupt our view of everything that went before. The relationship the person has with society has changed so rapidly that parents have little-to-no knowledge of the new tools that are invading our private space. How can they prepare their children for the changes we know are coming. We all now know the dangers of giving private information online. Probably a bit late for some of us early adoptors.
This project sets out to bridge the transition from the physical analogue to the digital virtual world. The output is envisioned as a multimedia installation based around video tryptych and holographic visualizations. We aim to record the human form in available technologies and master for forward compatability. It is planned, for a future iteration, to record multiple models and provide an opportunity for people to become part of the art piece as we re-imagine the aggregate of the perfect human form.
Have you ever tried fitting a square peg into round hole? it is as impossible as fitting a real person into the perfect form of Vitruvius' model. Have you ever felt like a square peg in a round hole? Hmmm...?
The circle is associated with 'Oneness', a perfect state in symmetry and harmony with the universe, and the square with our shape in the natural physical world.
In the art of Vitruvius, the circle is the centre of oneness with the universe, radiating from the navel. The square fits squarely within the circle, in a diamond aspect which is also centered on the navel. His interest lies in the natural shapes of the human form, so as his buildings might find better harmony with nature.
Da Vinci also considers the shapes as such, however, he attempts to reconcile them in order to find a more perfect natural form mathematically, using a set of dividers and a ruler. He calculates that if you move the centre of the square, to the root of the penis, the shapes will nearly fit, at least a very close approximation. But, therein lies the conundrum, for all his mathematical genius da Vinci is not able to reconcile the square with the circle.
"The area of a square is equal to the length of one side squared (A = s^2), while the area of a circle is equal to pi times the radius squared (A = πr^2). Therefore, even if the square and the circle have the same area, they will not have the same volume because the circle has no height, only a radius, while the square has both length and width.
If you were asking whether a sphere and a cube can have the same volume, the answer would still be no. A sphere has the smallest surface area for a given volume, while a cube has the largest surface area for a given volume. Therefore, the sphere will have a smaller surface area and a larger volume than a cube with the same measurements." (openAI)
We Collective
We aim to explore, and find expression for, the human condition as we grapple for the new meaning of identity afforded by the techno-socio revolution in the digital renaissance of the early 21st century.
We Collective is a group of artists; Eva Harryson, Michael Cooney 'Model S*X' & P.F. Joseph 'Joe' Campbell, whose aim is to explore the new identities offered by the 21st century renaissance.
Formed quite casually and completely by accident in the autumn of 2022, We Collective came about as a result of dialogues about how expression of identity has metamorphised through our lives. The artists involved all come from different social, economic, cultural and creative backgrounds. This difference creates a dynamic environment to challenge and reflect on the creation of our art. Our art is the art of dialogue, dialogue with the self, dialogue with technology, dialogue with philosophy, dialogue with society and culture.
Our lives have spanned the communication revolution of the late 20th and early 21st centuries. We have borne witness to, and actively engage with the rapidly changing societal norms. Our's is a world in flux as the archetypal society of the agro-industrial cold-war complex collapses and the techno-socio revolution leads to the new Renaissance21C.
Renaissance means 'Rebirth' in French. We associate it with the vibrant period in European history between the 14th - 17th centuries. This period is synonymous with a breaking from the past and the ascendency of scientific discovery. It had a profound affect on the relationship between humans and their society which found expression through the art and cultural movements that followed.
We Collective pose the hypothesis that now, in the early 21st century, we are at the beginning of a new Renaissance which is creating a mass societal upheaval similar to the 15th century Renaissance. Our's is a world of curiousity and exploration of the digi-virtual AI driven new world that we find ourselves in.
We ask fundamental questions: What is the nature of the human condition in the 21st century? How do I express myself in this techno-socio environment? WHO AM I?
Poseur, Artist, Actor, Filmmaker, Musician, Poet, Philosopher
""Thank you!" said the snowflake, emancipated from lumbering cloud,
grown heavy in dust drowning.
Dancing on wind break, Shining radiant (for that moment) soul endowed,
in bright moonlight twinkling. "
"Snowflake" a poem by P.F. Joseph Campbell
Some examples of Joe's work:
Double Truth News Bulletin.
Satirical News broadcast video.
Written, filmed and edited by Joe.
A Tingling Feeling.
Original music composition and video.
Composed, filmed and edited by Joe.
Base&Rum.
Original music composition,
pop promo music video for Fiachra Shanks.
Filmed and edited by Joe.
Girl.
Original music composition,
pop promo music video for the group Bangover.
Produced and edited by Joe.
Artist, Designer, Singer/Songwriter, Musician & Philosopher
"He was wearing a red nose, when he asked me to be his friend
but his eyes had a curious tenderness and my heart said an instant Yes!
Now later on in the show, as he entered from stage left
in a cloud of falling rose petals, wearing a pink dress
I thought if I was a he, he was a she, I would fall at his pretty feet and say
je suis fou de vous Madame, je suis fou de vous Madame."
"Fou De Vous Madame" lyrics by Eva Harryson.
Eva has never been able to settle into one discipline at the exclusion of all others, which makes her either a Jack of all trades, or a Renaissance Woman.
Philosophy, Mythology, Depth psychology, Music, Painting, Design, or other media of Art, it all seems to draw from the same well; a desire to understand and express something about the human condition and the place of the individual as it relates to the Cosmos.
Eva studied at Dublin Institute of Technology and completed a B.A Interior&Furniture Design. She holds a Diploma in Jungian Psychology, C.G.Jung center, Dublin. Eva also studied Comparative Religion at Stockholm University, but moved to Ireland in 1989 before completing her B.A..
Her album, "Means to be Loved" was recorded/produced by Michael Grau in Grousound studios, New Jersey N.Y. It's Executive producer was Henrik Havris, Who Ever Management. It was released on Whoever records in 2006.
Some examples of Eva's work:
Poseur, Artist, Dancer, Designer, Interviewer, Musician
What I say to myself:
"Dare to imagine, dare to be, even if you are not free. Your true, pure, self, is like a piece of gold, untarnished by outside elements. You can't be normal, it's a waste of time and a denial of all the tastes and possibilities. Chaos and order are friends, brothers, sisters, strangers; necessary components in any relationship, with others and with oneself."
Inspiration: Malcolm McClaren's principal in art college gave him and his classmates the choice to strive to be 'Benign Successes or Magnificent Failures'!
Michael worked for over 20 years as a dancer trapped in his own confines of inner conformity that had shaped him, nourished him, but that kept him on a tight leash. After a debilitating back injury he discovered the study of clothes design, and the key to releasing his true nature. Stepping into clothes became an act of Drag, not the limited cliche just of cross dressing but the swagger of authenticity through appearance, reaching into a new silhouette. Since then he has re-applied himself to his dance, his music, everything, grateful for the patience of everyone who gave him opportunities from day one, his earliest struggles through to the present and forward.
Model S'X is a theatrical ploy, I like that script.
Some examples of Michael's work:
Comment
Please send an email if you would like to find out more about the project as it progresses.
Hello there Looking to improve your posture and live a healthier life? Our Medico Postura™ Body Posture Corrector is here to help! Experience instant posture improvement with Medico Postura™. This easy-to-use device can be worn anywhere, anytime – at home, work, or even while you sleep. Made from lightweight, breathable fabric, it ensures comfort all day long. Grab it today at a fantastic 60% OFF: https://medicopostura.com Plus, enjoy FREE shipping for today only! Don't miss out on this amazing deal. Get yours now and start transforming your posture! Cheers, Adell
Adell
Hello Looking to improve your posture and live a healthier life? Our Medico Postura™ Body Posture Corrector is here to help! Experience instant posture improvement with Medico Postura™. This easy-to-use device can be worn anywhere, anytime – at home, work, or even while you sleep. Made from lightweight, breathable fabric, it ensures comfort all day long. Grab it today at a fantastic 60% OFF: https://medicopostura.com Plus, enjoy FREE shipping for today only! Don't miss out on this amazing deal. Get yours now and start transforming your posture! Cheers, Finlay
Finlay
Hi there I wanted to reach out and let you know about our new dog harness. It's really easy to put on and take off - in just 2 seconds - and it's personalized for each dog. Plus, we offer a lifetime warranty so you can be sure your pet is always safe and stylish. We've had a lot of success with it so far and I think your dog would love it. Get yours today with 50% OFF: https://caredogbest.com FREE Shipping - TODAY ONLY! Many Thanks, Rosie
Rosie
Stop wasting your budget on expensive ads and complex tech by implementing a 30-day AI-driven roadmap that automates 80% of your content creation and lead generation. Scale your business effortlessly using viral 5-second videos and proven conversion scripts to turn free traffic into consistent revenue for just $17,,,. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTlA-HHd478
Craig Keech
Automate your income with our AI system that generates all your content for you, delivering up to $3,000 monthly without the need for selling or hiring. Simply post ready-made materials to a unique platform with free lifetime traffic and receive direct payments while the system does all the heavy lifting for you. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yy-jNgaxPbs
Juanita Gano
Stop losing money on visitors who leave websites and start automatically redirecting that "wasted" traffic toward your own offers for as little as five cents per person. Exit Traffic Network provides a completely hands-free, set-it-and-forget-it system that captures real desktop traffic from established platforms while you sleep https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3013L2Yxg1k
Adam Norfleet
Tap into decades of super-affiliate expertise with an intelligent software that automates everything from strategy to high-converting copy in just a few clicks. Launch profitable affiliate campaigns across any niche and secure lifetime access with a single payment—no subscriptions or hidden fees required https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIWPFQOltPk
Laurene Baudin
How much longer will you endure the "soul-sucking" 9-5 grind and the constant anxiety of unpaid bills while your life slips away? You are trapped in a rat race, wasting time on "systems" that fail while billionaires exploit the technology you should be using. It is time to stop being a victim of an annoying boss and start leveraging the same Facebook loophole that the giants use to generate massive results. Cash Genie A.I. is your automated shortcut to freedom, doing all the heavy lifting for you without ads, SEO, or any technical headaches. This "done-for-you" system works on any device—even an old phone—and allows you to activate a secret link in just three simple steps to start siphoning passive commissions 24/7. Grab your access for a tiny one-time fee before the price skyrockets to a monthly subscription https://redirect1.site/CashGenieAI?domain=aicantdream.ie You are getting this email because we think the offer we provide may interest you. If you don’t want to receive additional emails from us, simply unsubscribe from these emails: https://redirect1.site/unsub?domain=aicantdream.ie Address: Address: 3382 Brandenburgische Stra?E 84, BE 12109 Looking out for you, Randolph Belair.
Randolph Belair
Stop over-complicating. Most "AI tools" are just more work for you to learn. Replic8 is different. It’s a fully built AI closing system that’s already trained to do the hard work: answering calls, following up, and booking appointments for businesses 24/7. The pain for business owners is real: they spend 50k?100k on staff who miss calls, give attitude, or quit. You offer them a "try before you buy" freebie that actually works. Once they see the appointments rolling in, they won’t want to turn it off. The Math: • No tech skills or sales experience needed. • Simple copy-paste setup. • $1,000/month per client in recurring income. Access Replic8 Before the Rest Of The World Wakes Up: https://seofaucet.site/Replic8?domain=aicantdream.ie You are getting this email since we think this offer may be relevant to you. If you would prefer not to receive further communications from us, simply unsubscribe from these emails: https://seofaucet.site/unsub?domain=aicantdream.ie Address: Address: 7884 Pappelallee 57, SN 9356 Looking out for you, Jayden Jackey.
Jayden Jackey
Stop letting the "big players" steal your commissions while you rot in affiliate rejection hell because you have no track record. You’re failing because you have no list, no YouTube channel, and no authority—and frankly, the industry doesn't care about your struggle. But for literally one single dollar, we are handing you guaranteed approval on a silver platter and giving you 100% front-end commissions so you can finally be in profit after your very first sale. If you can’t invest the price of a cheap coffee to have a Top 5% affiliate promote your link for you, then quit now and stay broke. This is a completely hands-off, passive system where we do absolutely everything—no tech skills, no website, and zero promoting required from your side. The price is about to skyrocket to a realistic level, so either take fast action or keep watching others get rich. GET ACCESS FOR $1 NOW: https://luckyslots303.site/NewYearIncomeSystem?domain=aicantdream.ie This message is sent to you because we think this offer might be of interest to you. If you do not wish to receive future messages from us, you can unsubscribe: https://luckyslots303.site/unsub?domain=aicantdream.ie Address: Address: 6165 58 Rue Cazade, NORD-PAS-DE-CALAIS 59140 Looking out for you, Santiago Smorgon.
Santiago Smorgon