The Mystics, 2020

The artwork pledge

• NO POVERTY
• QUALITY EDUCATION
• AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY
• INDUSTRY, INNOVATION, AND INFRASTRUCTURE
• SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES
• RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION
• CLIMATE ACTION
• LIFE BELOW WATER
• LIFE ON LAND

Tags

• Amazon Rainforest
• Animals
• Anthropocene
• Anthropomorphism
• Archaeology
• Biodiversity
• Biotechnology
• Cabinet of Curiosities
• Climate Change
• Consumerism
• Drawing
• Dystopia
• Endangered Species
• Ernst Haeckel
• Extinction
• Figurative
• France
• Global Warming
• Industrial Revolution
• Installation
• Land Art
• Landscape
• Massachusetts
• Mixed Media
• Natural History
• Nature
• New York City
• North America
• Nostalgia
• Paris
• Pencil on Paper
• Poaching
• Pollution
• Robert Smithson
• Sculpture 3D
• Social
• Spiral Jetty
• United States
• Wildfire
• Wood
• Works on Paper
• Zoonosis

About this artwork

Highly inspired throughout his oeuvre by scientific illustration, Mark Dion infuses this colored pencil drawing with art history references. An octopus, branded with the title of the artwork on its head, extends its legs across the paper. Each one of the eight limbs is labeled with the name of legendary figures of art history, who have had strong connections with mysticism, be it through the body, nature, color, or a general spirituality which drove their artistic exploration. Mark Dion links them here through the strange and clever aquatic animal that is the octopus, combining all elements of medium and message into an educational piece. A fervent explorer of the natural and animal worlds, the artist commits his practice to making its protection a part of collective consciousness.

More artworks by Mark Dion

• Mark Dion Arbor Vitae, 2020 In Situ - fabienne leclerc €4,000 Sold
• Mark Dion Bison of St. Louis, 2010 In Situ - fabienne leclerc €4,000 Buy now
• Mark Dion Chart 17, 2020 In Situ - fabienne leclerc €6,500 Sold
• Mark Dion Confectionary Curiosity, 2024 In Situ - fabienne leclerc €25,000 Buy now

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