Time Capsule 2021: Essential Humanity
A proposal, not realized
Project Proposal by Kent Manske & Nanette Wylde
Time Capsule 2021: Essential Humanity
The background image is a collage of invented biological cells called Weave created during shelter-in-place in 2020. The collage contains over 700 individual pieces. The visual composition weaves a path representing the wonder of our biology, our interconnectedness and our dependence on each other.
The silhouette is a photograph of a local health care provider with patients. The photo was taken with permission by the artists. The foreground silhouette floats above the background. This is achieved by adhering transparent vinyl on a plexiglass layer above the background.
Additional photographs will be taken so that the optimal silhouette is achieved. The health care figure will be visually identifiable as female. This is to promote the concept of women in high profile and high paid healthcare positions; and potentially provide a visual of a female doctor as a role model for the viewing audience.
The vaccine vials form a grid that organizes the composition into a map-like structure. This treatment represents the order and organization required to combat a global pandemic including: the systematic approach required by scientists to develop a cure, the systematic approach by civic leaders to provide safety protocol guidelines, the systematic management and adherence to the guidelines by business and civic leaders, and the systematic approach that health care professionals employ to provide both virus infection care and to distribute preventative care inoculations.
Each of the 2000+ vials are individual time capsules that contain a brief reflection by individuals on the front lines of the pandemic. Different colors will be used to represent the diversity of the pandemic workforce as both individuals and in occupation. These includes healthcare workers, essential service workers, pandemic management workers, workforce safety staff, agricultural laborers and scientists.
The work is intended to mark a period in time where we have collectively experienced loss, insecurities, emotional distress, economic turbulence, educational challenges and long overdue discussions about social justice and inequality.
The work intentionally does not focus on vials and vaccines but instead honors the dedication and perseverance of essential workers who help educate us, care for us, and protect us with knowledge, skill and compassion.
The installation is designed so that it can easily disassemble, transport and reinstall at other locations.
An additional component of the project is an artist’s book that documents the completed time capsule project and the 2000+ written reflections by essential workers. Supporting institutions will be profiled in this publication. The book will be published by Hunger Button Books and priced to cover the cost of printing and mailing. Books will be made available for exhibiting institutions.