Conjurer

Artist: Jean Stankov 

Date: May 16 to August 12, 1998 

As Stankov described it,  "In this piece, I am attempting to attract viewers as a magician would with his practiced hand movements. Like a thief, the suspiciously gloved magician makes objects change, or disappear, faster than the average viewer could notice. Behind the amazing feats, however, carefully placed devices are used by the magician to aid him in his mystical performances. Enthralled by the magic, we are left to speculate on how the fantastic spectacles are accomplished so seamlessly. Staring awestruck and unbelieving at this skilled showman, we are compelled to know how, but are content in seeing our fantastical childhood beliefs come to life through the hands of a real mortal being.

Utilizing life size stylized white plasticine hands, I hope to create an homage to the many hours spent by tricksters, whose every move is carefully practiced for the enjoyment, or annoyance, of others. The spaces that are separated by shelves will each contain one hand that will be rotated counter clockwise from the hand that will be in the space below it. The space is divided into seven frames that enable the viewer to read the whole piece as a play of film frames. The hand movement is bluntly diagrammed, like a seven step guide to image conjuring."

Jean Stankov, Artist's Statement, Open Space Archives, Victoria, B.C. (Box 30, 1998: V)