Other worlds, 2018/2024Galvanised steel, polystyrene, builders' cement, fibreglass, Resene paintGlobe 2000 x 2000 Stand 2557 x 996mm What does it mean to question the representation of earth, and thatof other celestial bodies? Ruth Watson has been working with maps and cartography for over 30 years, exploring the range of perspectives and methodologies applied to the understanding of Earth. After winning the Wellington Sculpture Trust’s ‘4 Plinths’ project, Watson had the opportunity to experiment at large scale, examining existing models of the earth, and of Mars. Other worlds was first exhibited on plinths bordering the forecourt of Te PapaTongarewa, Wellington, and we are delighted to present this captivating installation in an expansive natural environment. As Watson describes, “the bulging white globe shows European space agency gravitational field data, the black globe is based on carbon sequestration data, the grey globe is derived from a 17th century religious view of the world without water, and the Mars globe is based on an early 20th century artefact demonstrating beliefs in a canal system, ‘evidence’ of a superior civilization.”
