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| Khirbet Qeiyafa in-world model |
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| Memory of 200 pound found object |
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| Previously displayed foot of gigantic Goliath |
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| Verocchio David foreground, Michelangelo David and Tel Dan Stele background (click the south face of stele to see media of Donatello David bronze) |
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| Various Michelangelo David models and photo of Tel Dan Stele found 1993-94 ca 870 BC that may represent the first historic mention of the House of David |
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| Donatello David, marble |
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| Goliath found object (plow) |
How one person can embody David and Goliath, who these two are and where we might find them.
Avatar-size and giant figurative mesh sculpture based on scanning a body as it performs in textured dramatic space with scripted objects and sounds to continuous long loop ambient performance and live event featuring guests interested in expressing aspects of this theme. Identical figures appear in different scenes past and present on levels stacked 256 meters apart.
Actually realizing all this is partial. While it seems best to characterize David as a clever winner and Goliath as a loser, these figures also represent seasons of life, winning youth and the ultimately losing battle of old age. The theme of winners and losers has been much explored and capitalized on as a matter of religious belief and more recently business acumen in Malcolm Gladwell's discovery about the effectiveness of the stones thrown by a sling against a heavily armored warrior, "Giants are not what we think they are. The same qualities that appear to give them strength are often the sources of great weakness," (David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants). Rarely has both sides of the story been brought to bear as inevitable parts of a single life path, as in seasons of my life. We're guided to "stay small" or do whatever it takes to be like David, but at some point we fall away one final time as Goliath did.
No model was found for representing David or Goliath for photography or modeling by way of photo reconstruction--see later post that describes photo reconstruction of a found shamanic effigy related to a visceral Goliath in the form of kelp washed up on the beach.
Sounds are not yet implemented, and scripted objects and notecards are minimal. These interpretive blog posts (and the Aramaic inscription in world) are the only notable exception to wordless experience.
It was not anticipated lighting would be needed, but it has been found to be useful because of the natural default 4-hour day and 1-hour night cycle. Advanced graphic settings enabling shadows allow for subtle spot lighting visible day and night. The region is left as it was found, perfectly flat and default patchy grass, sand and rock land texturing. The relentless hard lighting by day is default as well, as this hard lighting is reminiscent of the place represented and the nature of the original iron age confrontation.
As of this writing, an exhibition of the project has not opened.
On landing you have the option to teleport to Khirbet Qeiyafa at 273m altitude, the same altitude as in real life. This tiny 10th century BCE iron age city overlooks the plain where David defeated Goliath recounted in 1 Samuel 17. You get a sense of the hilltop in world and if you zoom out for a sense of the detail.
Khirbet Qeiyafa (articles, videos) is an archaeological site at 31°41′47″N 34°57′26″E overlooking the Elah Valley. The valley is now in agriculture, but it might still be possible to retrace David's steps in the dry brook that drains the valley where he found five spherical stones suitable for his sling. This area is southwest of Bet Shemesh, a city of nearly 100,000 people located 19 miles (30 km) west of Jerusalem in Israel. There is considerable controversy about the scholarship and authenticity of Khirbet Qeiyafa and artifacts found there such as two gates, an ostracon with a socially minded inscription and evidence of a large central structure that some claim to be a David palace.
The entire inner city wall encloses an area that is small enough to fit in the LEA24 region in world.
Some of the main artifacts on the ground plane are virtual replicas of modern found objects representing Goliath. The first Goliath was lost and is reproduced from memory as an axial work. Goliath is also represented by a previously displayed foot and skeleton. Several Renaissance sculptures of David are imported or directly acquired including Michelangelo, Donatello in marble and Verocchio. The Donatello David bronze is present in media form, but better to look at that in a dedicated web browser. To the degree you accept identity with the protagonists, the space of the plain allows you to face your opponent.
Comprehensive listing of Gallery Lemonodo Oh David and Goliath posts:
David and Goliath Closing Reception
Clarification
David and Goliath continuation
David and Goliath, Nowhere
Donatello David marble color
David and Goliath comparisons
David and Goliath opening
Ostracon and exhibition opening announcement (LEA24 - Lemonodo Oh - David and Goliath)
Kelp as sculptural expression (David and Goliath project)
David and Goliath (this post)
Donatello David bronze model
Goliath
Goliath related
Goliath bigger
Goliath installation views
Goliath
