Arcana(2022)

Arcana, Horn's MFA Thesis project, began by digging into the history of Southern Illinois; from the geological history involving a south bound glacier, to the myths of the Illini and Miami peoples, which are native to the Southern Illinois region. That research led to the discovery of a family of symbolism utilized by every culture throughout history, most coherently embodied in the structure of the Four Humors.

 

The Humors manifest themselves into seasons, cardinal directions, alchemical elements, and the phases of matter. Each quadrant embodies traits that are inherent in and of themselves, but there are always modes of transition between the four corners.The barriers between extremes are porous. Freezing, melting, boiling, sublimation, and evaporation are all processes of transition between one phase of matter to the other. The only contingency is energy. In the work, the qualities of each Humor are harnessed through the tangible and symbolic qualities of the materials. The athletic equipment and musical, percussive elements used in each sculpture correspond to the symbolic family in its corresponding quadrant of the larger body of symbolism of the Humors.

 

Horn's experiences of growing up in Southern Illinois were foundational to the development of the work. Throughout his upbringing, the major recurring themes revolved around sports, music, nature, and one's ability to occupy those realms through the process of performance. These sculptures utilize sports equipment, musical instruments, and lumber. In their own regard, these objects are used in the process of a kind of performance. Athletic performance. Musical performance. The process of organic growth. Assembled, these objects invite new kinds of performance. Through interaction with the sculptures, one becomes the athlete, musician, performer, and spectator.