What Were You Thinking?!

2013

graphite, charcoal pastel, charcoal, illustration pens, India ink, and tea stain

18x24in.

The one that started it all. When I began working with this subject matter I was interested in the risks and rewards of technological advancement and who exactly decides to proceed with experiments affecting everyone. The Large Hadron Collider was particularly on my mind because of its risk assessments and potential catastrophic scenarios and the question that came to mind was, “If this collider could endanger everyone, why doesn’t everyone get a vote?” Granted not everyone has the scientific knowledge to weigh in, but if a decision that could possibly affect an individual is made without that person’s consent does this set off a chain of events that could potentially lead to scenarios depicted in this painting? Does such veiled decision making set a precedent leading to an environment where the individual has absolutely no control? Technological advancements has undoubtedly made us a more prosperous species but this work is along the veins of Icarus and the Perils of Flight. The title references what the work is showing and asks those in charge for transparency in their experimental reasoning and methods.