Towers
“Towers” is a three part series which examines and comments on the foundations of our modern world; how We as Americans (and Others, in the world beyond) reached the present state of contention between fact and fantasy. As an artist, Jeremy is a world builder who blends his interests in history, religion, theatre, and miniatures into a tool that can explore the universal question of “How did we end up here?”
The most in depth exploration takes place in the “Fantasyland” series. Jeremy locates past moments where beliefs rather than evidence were used to move forward. Within each tower he offers impressions of those choices, asks us to consider the alternatives, and to then see what other magical thinking followed. The stories in these towers is further explored with family trees, journals, and architectural drawings included in the exhibition.
Opposite “Fantasyland” there is fact, known in this series as “Experience.” Jeremy interprets stand-alone, indisputable events as individual, monument-like towers. Presented in both indoor and outdoor spaces these towers feature a simple, architectural design enhanced by a recurring movement.
With the third series Jeremy looks to the future and “Humanity.” These towers are outdoor, public works that draw attention to and compliment the surrounding landscape.
Tower 52-19: Humanity Series (2021)
“Tower 52-19” was commissioned for the group exhibition “WinterOver?”. The artists’ instructions were to “create a piece that will be left outside for 10 months, unprotected from the elements, so that it will deteriorate in a way that mirrors the deterioration of our society.” Jeremy accepted the challenge of creating for a thesis he generally disagrees with by building a glowing monument (a Monument To What he wants you, the audience, to find on your own.) This 10 foot tall tower was constructed from found and recycled plywood, with over 80 stacked structures: some which move in the wind, some with solar powered lights that glow and pulse throughout the night.
“Tower 52-19” will be on view in the courtyard of Time & Space Limited in Hudson, NY through the Spring of 2022.
Tower #004: Experience Series (2020)
In May of 2020 artist Myron Polenberg observed that “plywood is the canvas of the movement” and with the partnership of David MicIntyre challenged local artists to produce works of protest on plywood for exhibition before the Fall election.
Jeremy recognized that the collective reaction to the murder of George Floyd was exacerbated because the murder was not an isolated experience. Countless painful deaths of so many others had come before. With this proverbial “last straw” we experienced an explosion of responses: expressions of anger, fear, sorrow, protest, and support for the value of black life throughout the streets of the world. People who were contained in real, specific, and too-often segregated cities burst out - , marching, chanting, singing and shouting until only the sights and sounds of protest could be experienced. This moment of action as a reaction to our collective history, is the “Experience” that Tower #004 attempts to capture.
