Full Circle

Year: 2016
Materials: Painted wood with steel wire ropes
Autenthification: The artwork comes with a Certification of Authenticity signed by the artist
Series: Axis Mundi

Darie Dup’s art series, “Axis Mundi,” delves into the profound and urgent theme of illegal deforestation through a compelling interplay of wooden and resin sculptures. Originating during a residency at Citté des Arts in 2013, this body of work harnesses the circle—both as a geometric construct and a potent symbol—to explore constructivist principles and ecological concerns. In “Axis Mundi,” the circle transcends its traditional representation of wholeness and continuity, becoming a metaphor for the tree, an emblem of life’s cyclical nature and interconnectedness.

Dup’s sculptures, through their fragmented forms, poignantly reflect the disruption of this natural cycle. The fragmentation not only embodies the ecological degradation wrought by deforestation but also engages with philosophical questions surrounding existential continuity. Dup employs pyrography in some pieces, etching age rings into the wooden fragments. This technique draws on ancient Greek concepts of Chronos and Kairos.

Chronos represents linear, chronological time—the measurable progression of life—while Kairos signifies the opportune, qualitative moments within that time. By inscribing these rings, Dup contrasts the tree’s chronological growth with the abrupt fragmentation of its form, symbolizing the interruption of natural rhythms and the loss of Kairos moments within the ecosystem.

Through “Axis Mundi,” Dup critiques the impact of deforestation, inviting viewers to contemplate not only the ecological ramifications but also the deeper philosophical dimensions of time, existence, and humanity’s relationship with nature.