Plankton

Sculpture made out of snow, Göschenen, Switzerland

In ancient greek, the word 'plankton' means floating or meandering. Nowadays, it refers to tiny aquatic organisms whose direction of movement is determined by the currents. 

This is also good description of my work process. I am always guided by intuition, albeit with a general concept in the back of my mind: contrasting the sharp edges and steep slopes of the surrounding mountains, a round figure made out of snow shall develop on the town square in Göschenen. 

I first sketch out an entity with an amorphous shape. Then the work in the snow begins. I ordered a snow cube of 3.5 x 3.5 m, but I receive one that is closer to 6 x 4 m. At first, I consider cutting it down to the originally planned size, but then I accept the challenge to sculpt a plankton out of this enormous mass of snow. I have to complete this task in four days. 

Starting in one corner, I move forward, piece by piece, side by side. I relish the process of shaping, using my whole body to remove snow, fighting with the shape and allowing myself to be seduced. On the morning of the fourth and final day, I still don't know how the last and the first side are supposed to connect. But ultimately, the beginning and end meet and dissolve. 

Plankton is the first link of the food chain. 50 % of our planet's oxygen is generated by phytoplankton. My plankton in Göschenen, too, nourishes, lives. So much so that it also has to dissolve.

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