"The Witch" stands as an allegorical figure bridging past and present, merging historical mysticism with contemporary anxieties. This sculpture taps into the age-old narrative of witches: beings enveloped in power and mystery, evoking both fear and fascination. The installation invites reflection on the parallels between the misunderstood 'magic' of witches and today's reactions to the enigmatic nature of artificial intelligence.
"The Witch" was exhibited in a deliberately dimmed space within Röda Stens Konsthall to accentuate its mysterious ambiance, complemented by a haunting soundscape crafted by Emma Rosen. The sculpture's sheer size of 1.9 meters and the encompassing darkness of the exhibition space combine to immerse the viewer in a contemplative experience, prompting them to confront the unknowns—both of the past and those shaping our future.
The artwork, while a standalone piece, is accompanied by an auditory element that completes the sensory experience, urging onlookers to ponder the role of the unknown in shaping perception and understanding.
Forged from a skeleton of wood and metal wire, the sculpture's form was shaped by the expansion of foam sealant, with its contours refined by traditional sculpting tools. The base was then covered with paper clay. A screen, the witch's all-seeing eye, is nestled within the head, displaying an animation crafted in Adobe After Effects that brings a contemporary digital gaze to the ancient figure. The trailing cables and internal electronics hint at the fusion of the arcane and the modern.