ORCID
- Mathew Emmett: 0000-0001-9283-873X
Abstract
In "Polluted Pool," I aim to confront viewers with the stark reality of environmental degradation through the lens of the Olympics. The project serves as a metaphorical representation of the consequences of pollution and neglect on our planet's waterways, urging audiences to confront the need for environmental action.At the center of the work lies a disconcerting spectacle: a pool once pristine, now contaminated by debris, toxins, and waste. The water, once a shimmering symbol of purity and vitality, now reflects the detritus of human activity - plastic bottles, discarded electronics, chemical runoff, and oil slicks. The juxtaposition of the polluted pool within the context of the Olympic Games serves to highlight the irony of celebrating human achievement amidst the degradation of our natural environment.As viewers approach the pool, they are confronted with the visceral reality of environmental destruction. The stench of decay fills the air, and the sight of the contaminated water evokes feelings of disgust and dismay. Yet, amidst the despair, there is a glimmer of hope: scattered throughout the pool are fragments of resistance - small aquatic plants struggling to survive, resilient in the face of adversity.The swimmer, poised at the edge of the pool, represents both the perpetrator and the victim of environmental degradation. Clad in a swimsuit embroided with toxic waste symbols - the swimmer embodies the consequences of our collective actions on the natural world. As athletes dive into the polluted waters, their movements are slow and laborious, hindered by the weight of their surroundings. Each stroke serves as a reminder of the burden we place on our planet and the urgent need for change.Through "Polluted Pool," I invite viewers to contemplate their role in the environmental crisis and consider the impact of their actions on the world around them. By presenting environmental degradation within the context of the Olympic Games, I seek to disrupt complacency and inspire action. The "Polluted Pool," serves as a potent symbol of the challenges we face, but also as a call to arms - a reminder that we have the power to effect change and restore balance to our planet.Ultimately, "Polluted Pool" is not merely a reflection of environmental degradation, but a catalyst for transformation. It is a plea for environmental stewardship, a demand for accountability, and a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. As viewers immerse themselves in the image of the contaminated water, we are invited to confront the uncomfortable truths of our world.
Publication Date
2024-06-14
Keywords
Anthropocene, video installation, cultural olympics
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Emmett, M. (2024) 'Polluted Pool in Apollo's Decathlon, Cultural Olympics, Paris 2024: Château de Montsoreau – Museum of Contemporary Art', Retrieved from https://pearl.plymouth.ac.uk/ada-research/593