External Sourcing - Leandra Bourdot

The counterpart to the internal sourcing article focused on artists' works which are inspired by their individual responses to the large-scale constructions which form the framework of their respective worlds, ranging in nature from social to political to environmental. As opposed to being sparked by some deeply held belief or emotion, they instead use these structures (often man-made) as a point of departure for their artwork. From there, however, each construction dealt with moves far beyond the realm of cold external edifice as it is passed through the filter of individual internalized response.
Grieger's piece drew me in right away, just through the sheer conceptual patchwork of all the various constructions dealt with and disparate references made. The juxtaposition of the spiritual and the violent is embodied through camo meditation pillows arranged in militaristic formation under a banner emblazoned with a symbol which continues turning through a series of bastardized reworkings, from a sacred spiritual symbol of eternity as utilized in dharmic faiths, to untouchable memento of a horrific, genocidal period of Western history, and on again as a representation of the position in contemporary society which corporatism holds: a violent structure which dictates the traditional social life cycle and which despite this continues to be played into and even idolized or worshiped through blind consumerism. His piece at once serves to show the inherent emptiness of symbols (very interesting with the Buddhist-referential title and imagery), as well as the psychological and emotional potency they hold.
I also found Duprat's work fascinating. On a purely aesthetic level, both the process and end result are incredibly beautiful, even poetic. The pieces are also interesting on the level of contrast between organic and technologically-driven processes, as well as human constructions of beauty and worth - these pieces are found fascinating because of the juxtaposition we see between the perceived ugliness of the larvae and the beauty of his introduced, artificial environment.