Inbhirnis Cosmic Fish, 2005
Cape Breton Marble; 60” x 84” x 10” (152
x 213 x 25 cm)
Inbhirnis Cosmic Fish
“The infinite size and unknown shape of the universe has allowed the cosmic fish to come into being as its conscious representative form. It is a place to stand, and wonder, ...and imagine.” John Greer
The “Inbhirnis Cosmic Fish” is carved by John Greer. The
sculpture is about 5 feet by 7 feet, 10” high and represents a
gigantic flounder roaming the floor of the gallery space. Tail slightly
up, coarse, ugly, big, with highly polished eyes, it makes you highly
alert. Looking into the beast’s eye is like looking into the opening
of the earth – a hot glow of intense colour is reflecting our gaze.
Greer states that we are not able to determine the shape of the universe
and he suggests it might very well be in the shape of a flounder.
Growing up close to the sea, John Greer did witness the catch of a humongous
flatfish like the one he carved; and it stuck with him as the most “awesome” thing
he ever saw. A flounder does live through a very interesting cycle of
evolution during its lifespan. Starting out as a “normal” fish,
when reaching a certain age, it starts turning sideways; one eye starts
to “walk” around the head so that both end up on the top
surface. The horizontal body is almost invisible under water, unless
it moves which then is like a flying movement through the water. They
hide by burying themselves in the ground, which seems to be a very primeval
instinct. Greer confronts us with this carved “awesome” fish
and highlights only the eyes of the sculpture. The piece is carved in
a lot of details, yet the finish seems to refer very much to its materiality – stone.
By confronting us with this “creature”, he wants to raise
awareness, wants us to be aware of awareness beyond our human realm,
he places the flounder on even ground with us. It seems to look at us – and
reflects on the fact that being witnessed means that we are alive. The “Inbhirnis
Cosmic Fish” refers to the living presence of the unknown. It deals
with the very essence of “being”.
(Excerpt from an essay for the Atlantic Stone Carving Symposium by Vanessa Paschakarnis)
Last Update: February 2006
