Artists Statement Wankometer

Artists Statement Wankometer

Wankometer creator Phoebe Adams' Artist Statement

Through my work I attempt to examine the phenomenon of parody as a metaphorical interpretation of both Duchamp and Wanking.

What began as a personal journey of Wankism has translated into images of humor and hand that resonate with other performance artist people to question their own silverness.

My mixed media Wankometer embodies an idiosyncratic view of science and art, yet the familiar imagery allows for a connection between science fiction, arts and hamburgers.

My work is in the private collection of David Walsh's second cousin twice removed who said 'this is so Avant Garde!, that's some real Sciency Art.'

I am a recipient of a grant from the Cascades Female Prison where I served time for stealing mugs and tie clips from the gift shop at TMAG. I may have exhibited in group shows at Legs’n’Breasts and MONA, though not at the same time. I currently spend my time between my bedroom and the kitchen.

 Created with “Artists Statement Generator 2000” http://10gallon.com/statement2000/

This statement registered a wankometer reading of "CR/DD".

The state of the art, technological wizardry of the Wankometer

It started as an idea to create a device that would revolutionise the writing and assessment of artists statements. No longer would artists have to spend sleepless nights tossing and torturing themselves with the question "Did I put enough art-wank in there?".

Wankometer shell construction using the latest wood torturing devices

How does it work? The Wankometer can take a reading of the amount of art-wank and give an accurate art-wank measurement from NN (Fail) through to HD (High Distinction). 


As the amount of art-wank increases the wank-display light starts to emit light and an internal buzzer gives a clear sound indication of art-wank levels as they increase or decrease. The artist needs only to read their artist statements or the artists statement of others for a reading to register on the device.

Close up of the art-wank measurement units of NN - HD

Quite unexpectedly I have discovered that this device is also capable of detecting and measuring ambient art-wank levels in a room, building, artwork and even people! (I pointed it at myself and it almost blew a fuse!)

The amazing wankometer

The Wankometer is currently available only in retro silver Hammerite and uses x10 12 volt AA batteries (not included). It comes with two easy grip handles and state of the art casing holes. 

rear view of the amazing Wankometer

The wankometer was originally created for a UTAS ArtSchool sculpture assignment to make a tool from wood. It has since exceeded its original purpose and has become the "must have" item of any serious fine art student wishing to pursue a career in the fine arts world of the fine arts (as opposed to rough or thick arts). Negotiations have commenced for a scaled down version that may become available soon... it may or may not be called the "iWank".

How I tortured a baby Huon Pine for Art - My Core Studies "Form" assignment

Huon pine sapling planted in a pot made from layers of Tasmanian native timber sawdust encased in clear resin.

Rationale for the work/  Artists Statement (the required Artwank)

I chose sawdust as the material I wished to work with. The work started with the question, “Can I reconstruct a tree from sawdust?” This question was provoked by uncertainties surrounding supply of native Tasmanian timber for use by furniture designers and artists working with wood. This in turn was informed by the internal philosophical conflicts I am currently experiencing now I have discovered the beauty of this beautiful resource in its harvested form. Philosophically and morally I object to clear felling old growth native timber, yet I am benefiting from this practice by having access to these beautiful timbers for woodturning and furniture design/ making. I’m a card carrying Green, so how do I resolve these issues. Can I resolve them through an attempt at making the most of every scrap of wood I use, minimising waste and perhaps relieving my conscience?

This poor Huon sapling is witness to the disembowelling of a family member as it is turned into a delightful artistic bowl.

Reflection

Originally I thought this would be an easy process. All I had to do was gather some sawdust, mix it with something, roll it out and let it dry. I wanted to make my own chipboard but chipboard that could retain the grain (tree rings) and be formed into a turnable (on wood lathe) chunk of wood. After failing at my attempt to use a paper mache recipe, I tried to literally create my own chipboard. This process also failed. Then I resorted to embedding sawdust within a clear casting resin mould. This mould is in the form of a pot for nurturing a tree seedling.

Did I resolve the question? Can I turn sawdust back into a tree or at least usable timber? Did I process the guilt issues of using native forest timbers? Is my conscience relieved?

Personally I don’t have access to the manufacturing processes required to produce my own chipboard from my sawdust waste. However as an industry we do. I may not be able to recreate a tree but I can use this precious material wisely and I can lobby for more sustainable methods of forestry. It was a long journey to get to the end design. To create the finished idea of planting a seedling of Huon, or Myrtle or Sassafras in a pot made from the waste material of their parents.

It’s only by allowing the forests to recover from the timber that we need to remove, that the seedlings of the future will grow. If we make the most of the timber we have, use it wisely and reduce our waste there is a chance we can continue to enjoy this precious resource. My artwork is a small step towards nurturing a future for these magnificent timbers. 

Distressed timber. Huon sapling amongst Huon sawdust.

Fun facts about the Huon Pine


Did you know that the Huon Pine (Lagarostrobos Franklinii) isn't actually a pine (Pinaceae) but a Podocarp? It doesn't actually have 'needles' but instead has very small, closely overlapping leaves that are pressed close against its branchlets. Huon Pines are a rainforest plant and have been around for over 135 million years. They are a relic from when Australia was part of Gondwana Land. They grow very slowly, between 1.5 - 2m every 10 years. This makes them ideal for use in bonsai. Huon pines are either male or female not hermaphrodites like most modern plants. They need to live close to water in swampy areas and beside rivers. Their timber is a beautiful yellow colour, smells lovely and is resistant to rotting. They can live for over 3,000 years as an individual tree but in stands (clusters of genetically identical trees shooting off a main root system) they live much longer than that. There is a stand of Huon Pine in a secret area of the Tasmanian wilderness that is believed to be over 10,000 years old. Huon Pines are now protected from felling, however for now timber can still be sourced from old logs on the forest floor, in rivers, old stockpiles and from recycled sources.