ArtistBetsy Damos
In Time Series #11
Date1998
MediumMixed media on paper
Dimensions24 × 24 in. (61 × 61 cm)
Framed Size: 33 × 32 1/2 in. (83.8 × 82.6 cm)
Credit LineDC Commission on the Arts and Humanities Art Bank Collection
Object numberDCCAH1999.279
ClassificationsDrawings
Locations
- Office of Budget and Planning (1350 Penn Ave NW, 229)
DescriptionThis painting is part of a series that explores the tension between the preservation of the beauty of the natural environment and the increasing presence of the built environment resulting from human sprawl and relocation. “In Time Series #11” is one of 18 works in the series. As with some other series of Damos's work, drawings/paintings in the “In Time” series all began with a large scale drawing/painting on paper of a forested environment, part of a 8' high x 22' wide site specific installation entitled “Blue”. After being deinstalled, the heavy paper drawing was selectively cut into pieces. “InTime Series #11” evolved on a 24 inch by 24 inch square of the drawing.
Areas of the original image are partially obscured or further emphasized by layers of over drawing and painting suggesting the encroachment of human activity, with only small rectangular areas remaining through which the organic shapes of nature can still clearly be seen. This approach seems to highlight man-versus-nature conflicts, with some suggestion of the hope that the natural environment can co-exist with the increasingly omnipresent built environment of mankind.
A rose-colored border that connects with other series of Damos's is added to “In Time Series #11.” One is left to wonder about the selection of the use of rose. Is it to suggest the hope for a co-existence between man's aspirations and the preservation of the natural environment, or is it to indicate that we are overly optimistic to have this hope?
