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Figure 55: Johann van der Schijff. Cyborg - 16, 1993.



[ Return to: Part 1 - 3.Artistic Feedback; 3.1.Electronic Media ]



A large surveillance antenna, turning pointlessly, seeking humans that are no longer there, forms the central motif of this sculpture. This element of communication hardware is situated on top of a camouflaged aeroplane, which has an absurd out-stretched hand forming the one wing. This hybrid form suggests a combined fighting machine and victim. The symbol of flight is contradicted by the landing wheel that slots into the stable, square box that forms the base of the sculpture. [Figure 55]



Figure 56: Globo Cop. Cover of Time Magazine.
(Time 1991, April 1)



This work stems from the arms race and subsequent New World Order (NWO) that developed after the cold war. The NWO is envisaged as a 'benign' international entente on deterring and disciplining aggressors as a replacement for the cold war's grand alliances. Washington made it clear that it saw such a system as a way of institutionalising the spirit of collective law enforcement evident in U.N. Security Council verdicts against Iraq. However those people who remained dubious about the Gulf War and Somalia suspect 'Globo Cop' of bolder designs. 'The NWO carries the ring of a metallic tread, the flash of an electronic eye and the wind from a sudden whirl of high-tech weapons. It conjures up an amplified voice advising overly independent countries to face the wall and assume the position.' (Walsh 1991: 19) [Figures 56-57]


Figure 57: An Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft.
(Bonds 1983: 141)



The sculpture speaks of a post-apocalyptic world where the technology that humans have created, has destroyed life, and machines are left to communicate and control each other in senseless feedback loops. The technique and materials of construction were inspired by the planes made by black children, from cans and detritus found in townships. [Figure 58]



Figure 58: Titus Moteyane. Pan Am 747, 1983.
(Younge 1988: 41)



Figure 59: Johann van der Schijff. Cyborg - 16, 1993.

Mild-steel sheet metal; enamel paint;
found mechanical parts; electric motor.
H: 1660 mm W: 2700 mm L: 2940 mm




[ Return to: Part 2 - 1.Working Method ]


Figure 60: Johann van der Schijff. Drawing no. 1, Cyborg - 16, 1993.

Figure 61: Johann van der Schijff. Drawing no. 2, Cyborg - 16, 1993.

Figure 62: Johann van der Schijff. Drawing no. 3, Cyborg - 16, 1993.

Figure 63: Johann van der Schijff. Drawing no. 4, Cyborg - 16, 1993.

Figure 64: Johann van der Schijff. Drawing no. 5, Cyborg - 16, 1993.

Figure 65: Johann van der Schijff. Drawing no. 6, Cyborg - 16, 1993.



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