Artist Statement for: Installation Astar, Wings

By Martina Angela Müller

The imagery of Wings of the Soul and Stars for the light of consciousness has inspired this installation. Winged beings in mythology, like birds, angels, sylphs, Nike, Pegasus, the Phoenix, the Benu bird, the great Eagle Kisosen and many others serve as a messenger function between humans and the divine world. Wings are an expression of the levity of our souls, of freedom, liberation, of our ability to rise above circumstance, the triumph of the human spirit, to soar to new heights of ideas or consciousness to an elevated perspective, as well as serving as a gesture of protection (guardian angel) or a guardian on the soul’s journey into the after-life, like the goddess Nephthys in Egyptian mythology. Kisosen, the great eagle of the indigenous people of America was associated with the sun through the height of its flight that took it closest to the sun out of all earthly creatures. The opening of its wings started the day and the closing of the wings ushered in the night. The Benu bird in Egyptian mythology has great solar associations and its name means to “rise in brilliance” which describes the impulse for this installation. Suspended, moving wing- inspired sculptures surround the viewer as projected light/water images light up the installation in different colors and play in “star stations” on the floor on which the viewers can stand to feel how we are becoming increasingly radiant as a star and increasingly similar to the destiny of the whole cosmos and nature. The star shapes on the floor have been inspired by the plant world, mostly thistles, Queen Anne’s lace, umbelliferous plants and succulents. A visual immersion in paintings with the quality of wings complement the viewing experience while sound and fragrance activate non-visual senses.