XTINCT

This life-size sculpture depicts a fully-grown male polar bear lying on its stomach, head and body supported by a wooden structure and filled with organic materials so that its full dimensions and power are perceived. This mass is covered by layers of wire mesh to which hundreds of oyster shells have been woven thus imitating the thick and uneven fur of the polar bear with its beautiful palette of tones. “The polar bear is a powerful symbol of the Arctic and its people. The aim of the sculpture is to raise awareness on the issue of extinction and the endangerment of the polar bear, the largest and most powerful land carnivore, and the small and often overlooked oyster, once thriving along the Canadian and U.S eastern seaboard and now also threatened by climate change. XTINCT is designed to make viewers reflect and act on these issues,” states Laura Santini. XTINCT is made up of organic and recycled materials. The repetitive, methodical and tedious technique of weaving the oyster shells emulates the irreversible and relentless cycle of destruction that is occurring on the planet. XTINCT is designed to make viewers reflect and act on these issues. Location: Centre de Recherche du CHUM, Montreal, Canada

Material

organic matter (paper,leaves,branches,cotton,wool) metal net and wire, wood, oyster shells

Date

2012

Dimensions

110 x 252 x 290 cm