TRANSCENDING

The curl of the transient latex, finding stability in the exoskeletal alloy of copper.  Enhancing the survival techniques of sea-life, that form a relatable current through the material biosphere. It explores the body through its consistency and texture to introspect the mainstream transgender stereotype; transmitting that exchange between fluidity and kinetics.  The visuals of sea-life support the analogies of the transcending perspective of a queerly human existence and identity.

The art of the “Installation” has existed since the 60’s, of which inspires my each step as a next generation metalsmith.  The contextualization of Installation-work and Metal-work as a way to provide an element of applied pressure to the ecology of the space is a necessity.  One that a young transgender metalsmith has adopted in hopes of advocating against the political agenda of his existence. I am him. Creating tangibility of the mind, body and environment made of my own, queerly-human, lived experiences.  I investigate myself by asking questions such as, where is it then, that I belong?

I take my greatest inspirations from aquatic aquariums.  Dark rooms with inner-reflective glass tanks.  The viewer may see what the piece may not.  The pieces may exist in unbothered ways, reflections of fear and uncomfortable kinetics, but ultimately a boundary to view the softest most intimate self.

The self finds solace within the abundant sea-life found there.  I can caress the vision of floating tendrils, as I expose each extremity.  Pieces of myself that exist, shunning the sanctimony of their discovery, existing as living proof of factual possibility.  

What has always existed, may not have been realized, but once realized, does not mean it was only just found.       

There is truth  found in self identity, a truth that may otherwise lose to the dissociative nature of collective dysphoria. Within the darkest corners of the tranquil, yet captive, four-wall “aquarium”, I express the complete environment of total dissociation.  The artwork being the key, the environment, the lock.  The Installation calls the viewer to a disorientating circumstance that encourages such perception.

Isaac L. Stern is a recent graduate from University of Wisconsin Whitewater with a BFA Emphasis in Metalsmithing under the mentorship of Teresa F. Faris.  Throughout his time in the Whitewater Metals and Jewelry program, he has been interested in creating works about the transgender body, as well as building safe spaces for Trans youth and young adults to speak about their experiences. Inspired by the visual and physical analogies between human existence and those of ocean life, he shares this change through form and continuous movement.  The visuals (texture, shape, and repetition) of kinetic ocean life support these elements of the ever-evolving perspective of his human existence and identity.