‘Island Universe’ by Josiah McElheny
Surrounded by and immersed in Josiah McElheny’s ‘Island Universe’ (2008), I never felt so small.
Circling each of the five spherical sculptures of LACMA’s recent acquisition, I felt like a moon in orbit and, while staring back at myself in the perfectly polished mirror surface, came the revelation of scale and one’s own insignificance in the face of an ever-inflating universe. So small. So insignificant.
Evoking the Big Bang and the theory of eternal inflation, each of the five spherical sculptures represents a possible universe. The idea was inspired by the Met’s Lobmeyr-designed chandeliers, which were designed the same year that the Big Bang theory found solid evidence, but the connection seems forced. When standing amongst the glimmering beauty of the installation, though, the tenuousness is forgivable.
‘Island Universe’ reflects a Koons-like obsession with fit and finish- the curious paradox of dozens of hands working on it to make it seem like none did. The effect is dazzling, one that takes your breath away when viewed from afar, yet done to such a degree that you seem never to regain it upon approach. The craftsmanship is impeccable and an ode to a time when execution was just as important as concept.
This uncompromising commitment to perfect craftsmanship, combined with McElheny’s rigorous research and rigid dedication to scientific accuracy, renders the installation a bit impersonal, sterile, and paradoxically, somewhat lifeless. While it may invite some thought to our origins, it falls short of any profound revelation. It’s more of an introduction of inflationary theory to some, perhaps a reminder to others, and definitely a jumping-off point for all.
As I continued my circumnavigation of each of the five sphere-universes, I realized these works are scale-less:
They’re immense, like the cosmos- each sculpture a chrome-plated universe in itself, or they’re microscopic, smaller than the eye can see.
And that’s the beauty of it. Josiah shows us that we are made of the same stuff as the stars and illustrates a connection to the cosmos that is all too often forgotten. It’s art that makes us think about the beginning, but also the end. It makes us think about the vastness of the universe, but also our own insignificance.
In its cold and perfect sterility, it doesn’t impose itself on us, much like the universe itself. It doesn’t notice us or need us. It just is.
Josiah McElheny’s ‘Island Universe’ is now on view at LACMA indefinitely.
Photographs/images provided by the Anthony Escobedo