Mobility Machines

Simone Jones

May 2002

Waves of Reflection and Wings of Desire
(a small leap of faith)

To walk on water, as did Jesus, or fly to the heavens like Icarus, is to address two major motifs in western thought: the belief in a deity and the power of faith, and the ability to transcend the impossible, to become immortal.
In the Mobility Machines by Simone Jones we are presented with a video projection and two large sculptural objects. The video image, projected onto one wall of the gallery, begins with a woman strapped into a scaffolding constructed upon two long wooden floats. Her feet have paddle like attachments by which she is able to pull herself along - in a walking like fashion - over the water upon which the whole construction floats. Partially bound into this machine, the woman has become able, figuratively if not literally, to walk upon water.

The video continues with a figure strapped into a pair of Leonardo da Vinci flying machine wings. The flapping arrangement of the wings and the unusual lighting give the appearance of an otherworldly, ethereal misty heaven.

Along with the video installation are two constructions which made these images possible. But there is no illusion as to what is taking place; we can only imagine that if we were to wear these apparatuses - and suspend our disbelief - we also could become immortal and transcend laws that are both physiological and psychology.