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Michael Davis
Multi-National LLC’s

2021

About the Item

LLC and mining operation being bought up at an alarming rate by international consortiums. The Rare Earth artworks grew out of my investigative research in 2009 while working on a Smithsonian Artist Research Fellowship (SARF) application. That resulted in a body of work titled “Imagos”– photo/journalism images that capture a moment in history and immediately place the viewer at that moment in time. While navigating Landsat records of Earth's land surfaces from space I discovered large areas of disturbed landscapes. These were immense open pit mines at numerous locations world wide, many of which were Rare Earth mines or REEs. The mining and processing to separate the rare earth elements is an environmental conundrum. On one hand these elements are in extremely high demand and necessary for electric vehicles and digital devices. On the other, these mining operations disrupt and destroy huge areas of open land, displace whole communities and exploit and deplete natural resources leaving behind toxic waste degradation. I began to incorporate these Landsat images into a new body of work titled “Rare Earth.” Each Rare Earth artwork includes an archival image of a specific mine rendered in classic 3D (anaglyph) off-registration referencing mid-century exuberant optimism, geo-political history, cultural signifiers, symbolic design patterns and phenomena. They are built from a collection of found materials, fabrics, wallpapers, digital imagery, paint, and precious metals. The digital Landsat image is positioned in juxtaposition to the other compositional elements to create a disruptive collage/painting of spacial contradictions, surface/depth and multiple cultural interpretations. I begin each artwork with research. I navigate the Landsat archived images of mining operations world-wide. The collection of images is curated to those which share a similar visual familiarity and composition. The found materials are photographed and archived. I decide on a size and format then start building a photoshop model from the archival imagery-hundreds of arrangements and possibilities are tested. Then one just works. From the model image the actual artwork evolves in the studio. What was once a model is now a reference. The act of making, testing material compatibility, critical evaluation, chance, gesture and the illuminating accident often shift the final concept. The artwork has a life of its own.

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"What is it About Old Men and Flowers?" (quoted from artist Richard Turner)
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Quote from RT on style subject matter. From the model image the actual artwork evolves in the studio. What was once a model is now a reference. The act of making, testing material compatibility, critical evaluation, chance, gesture and the Illuminating accident often shift the final concept. Ine artwork has a lite of its own. The Rare Earth artworks grew out of my investigative research in 2009 while working on a Smithsonian Artist Research Fellowship (SARF) application. That resulted in a body of work titled “Imagos”– photo/journalism images that capture a moment in history and immediately place the viewer at that moment in time. While navigating Landsat records of Earth's land surfaces from space I discovered large areas of disturbed landscapes. These were immense open pit mines at numerous locations world wide, many of which were Rare Earth mines or REEs. The mining and processing to separate the rare earth elements is an environmental conundrum. On one hand these elements are in extremely high demand and necessary for electric vehicles...
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Bayan Mine, China
By Michael Davis
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They are built from a collection of found materials, fabrics, wallpapers, digital imagery, paint and precious metals. The digital Landsat image is positioned in juxtaposition to the ...
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21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Sculptures

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Bayan Mine, China
$7,600 Sale Price
33% Off
Bayan Mine, China abstract print
By Michael Davis
Located in Palm Desert, CA
They are built from a collection of found materials, fabrics, wallpapers, digital imagery, paint and precious metals. The digital Landsat image is positioned in juxtaposition to the ...
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21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Sculptures

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Palabora Mine, South Africa
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Located in Palm Desert, CA
I begin each artwork with research. I navigate the Landsat archived images or mining operations world-wide. The collection or images is curated to those which share a similar visual ...
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21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Sculptures

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Fabric, Plywood, Acrylic, Archival Pigment

Esmeralda Mine, (Rare Earth), NV
By Michael Davis
Located in Palm Desert, CA
I began to incorporate these Landsat images into a new body of work titled "Rare Earth." Each Rare Earth artwork includes an archival image of a specific mine rendered in classic 3D (anaglyph) off-registration referencing mid-century exuberant optimism, geopolitical history, cultural signifiers, symbolic design patterns and phenomena The formal and elegant composition belies the actual relationship of the cause and effect of rare earth mining. --- The Rare Earth artworks grew out of my investigative research in 2009 while working on a Smithsonian Artist Research Fellowship (SARF) application. That resulted in a body of work titled “Imagos”– photo/journalism images that capture a moment in history and immediately place the viewer at that moment in time. While navigating Landsat records of Earth's land surfaces from space I discovered large areas of disturbed landscapes. These were immense open pit mines at numerous locations world wide, many of which were Rare Earth mines or REEs. The mining and processing to separate the rare earth elements is an environmental conundrum. On one hand these elements are in extremely high demand and necessary for electric vehicles...
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Ryan Mine, (Rare Earth) Death Valley
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