UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Aldo Moroni’s
BABYLON PROJECT Copyright 2003
12000 years ago at the confluence of the Pison, Gihon, Tigris, and Euphrates rivers the seeds of western civilization were scattered across the landscape. This story is told in Genesis and it is proven in archeological research. Time has removed the Pison and Gihon rivers from the map. Only the Tigris and Euphrates remain. They travel through the land of Iraq and spill into the Persian Gulf as they have since the beginning of history. Throughout time these epic rivers have also spilled the blood of constant war across their deltas. Today we witness yet another struggle. It is not a struggle over oil or money it is a struggle over the authorship of history and culture. As an artist I am compelled to react and to speak about this tragic carnage. The war is killing, maiming, and destroying millions of lives. The war is also destroying our shared heritage and the evidence of our shared history. I receive reports from Iraqi artists and collectors through my association with Arab American cultural exchange organizations, they are not sympathetic to the Baathist regime but they also tell me that the American presence curtails progress toward a unified nation of civil law and authority. They also tell me that daily life in Iraq has become Untenable. These facts form the basis of my work in progress, “Babylon”
My action is to create an imaginary place. I call this place New Babylon. It is a tiny world made of clay. It resides in my studio in Minneapolis, Minnesota in the heartland of The United States.
In this Lilliputian place I re-create history from the Garden of Eden to the empire of New York.
Aerial view of The Sumerians White City circa 3800 BCE I re-live the empires of Sumer and the wealth of Sargon I have built, in clay miniatures, the walls of mighty Ur and re-told the story of Gilgamesh.
The Tower of Babel and the Phinque Palace circa 3500 BCE In the past two years I have created more than 2000 miniature houses, temples, palaces, and even the Tower of Babel.
The Temple of Marduk on September 10 3500 BCE I have created and destroyed the great cities of Sumer and Akad
Aerial view of The White City at 11:00 A.M. September 11 3500 BCE I continue to trace history upon this my canvas of the imagination. Its ever changing epic saga is recorded through photos, maps, short stories, performances, and related works of art. Upon completion of this process art piece I will publish the material. I am looking for a publisher now. I am working toward a tour schedule for the sculpture and its documentation. The tour will begin in Baghdad Iraq. I am in correspondence with individuals who have strong relationships with private galleries and galleries associated with The University in Baghdad. Iraq has a vibrant contemporary art scene. Subsequent locations will include Europe, New York, and Chicago. I am open to Ideas about specific venues in each location. After the tour I will bring the exhibition back home to Minneapolis. I believe that I can make this exhibition happen. My target date is 2009.
A city song of the history and fragility of civilization My sculpture is a piece which combines the concepts of physical, spiritual and metaphysical Babylon. I believe that it is an important work of art. I am committed to bringing this piece of art to its culmination. I’ve done it before I’ll do it again! I believe that I can make a difference in our current struggle in the Middle East I believe I can create a piece which enters into the dialogue of significant historic art works. I am doing it now right here in the Midwest. A work of art of this magnitude requires resources. I have spent more than $30,000 on supplies, rents and renovations. In the course of 18 months I have put in more than 2500 direct hours. I have written more than a dozen short stories and a scripted performance. I have produced 6 events and 4 performances. Even in its infancy the piece has been experienced by an audience of more than 7500. It has received wide international press coverage. All of this was financed by my self and by my core of “Citizen Patrons”. I have covered 9000 years of history but I have only just begun.
A work of art which mystifies and delights the young at heart
A work of art which engages meaningful debate on current issues Today I am ready to begin the creation of High Babylon. It will be a city of 3000 structures including colorful glazed replicas of The Ishtar Gates, The Palace of Nebuchadnezzar, The Hanging Gardens, The City Walls, The Wharves, The Markets, and hundreds of palaces and civic buildings. All of these ornate architectural masterpieces will be surrounded by thousands of private residences and shops.
I can’t wait to begin work on The Ishtar Gates I will be creating a group of short stories which illuminate the daily life of this place, the cradle of civilization. On March 06, 07, and 08 will stage full theatrical performances of The Akitu, the Babylonian New Year,
A wild crowd of performers backstage after the 2005 Akitu performance I will document it all in photo and video. I look forward to a fantastic year or Millennium depending on how you look at it! But I’m sure I’ll have fun!
Babylon means many things to many people Aldo Moroni’s I have a plan to make these goals become reality. I am producing a suite of multiples. They are elaborate 24"x 12" x 3" glazed bas relief ceramic maps. Each piece uniquely identifies the location of an individual patron within my mythical world of Babylon. The patrons name will be scripted into the ceramic Maps. These multiples will be strictly limited to 90 pieces. Only 90 patrons can become part of this unique art piece and collectors opportunity.
I developed this idea based on the methodology of artists like Christo who finance their important work through the sale of, “related works”, drawings, prints, and various documents. I am releasing the first 30 multiples in September 2005 at $3000.00 I invite you to join me in this my magnum opus. I invite you to join Thank You
Babylon Never Sleeps Civilization is creation destruction birth death war peace |
