The Never Ending Greed Story
Everyone wants idea’s and solutions- that is, until you give them one. Most people love responses to a crisis which include formulations and machinery which transforms the mess into something of use. But when faced with eliminating the root causes, few seem to be listening. My process stems from a lack of inspirational experiences. My inspiration is the lack of inspiration. Let’s call it anti-inspiration. A lack of nature, a lack of travel, a lack of resources.
The tables seemed to have turned since my youth, sneaking a peek at the “smart” student’s paper, who did their homework before taking a test. Now as an adult,I see that it is these same scholars who reap the benefits of the homework of struggle, pain and broken dreams of the less fortunate artist. Those who are doing the work without basic necessities, only to watch from afar as the exalted “genius” takes the credit.
As an Afro/Taino woman born and raised in Spanish Harlem during the civil rights era, my future looked bleak. Art was my way out as it saved my sanity. It was what set me apart. Growing up watching my mother paint filled my heart with joy. The smell of the oils intoxicated me and I knew what I wanted to be. Call me old fashioned but in my view a sculptor has experienced lungs full of limestone and felt the disintegration of their joints from years of working in a moist clay environment where there can be no cheating allowed.
When asked to create art about global warming, what kept coming to mind was a movie I once saw.” The Neverending Story” A fantasy movie intended for young audiences. As I watched, a scene unfolded which turned out to be one of the most shockingly horrific and impactful scenes I have ever seen in my life. In this scene, a young boy walks his horse into a forest deemed the Swamp of Sadness. Here his V.O. states that everyone knew whoever let the sadness overtake him would sink into the swamp. This horse gave up and let himself sink despite the pleading cries of the young boy. This is what “The NeverEnding Greed Story” is about. As I watch the world sink into inertia, I can’t help but wonder how greed plays into all this. Here I get to change the narrative. Here my horse fights.
“The Never Ending Greed story” is intended to remind the movers and shakers that their financial decisions have real world consequences. That it has its beginning in a simple truth. The truth of horror. The horror of inertia and apathy, and that we all are experiencing it – in real time.
Phyllis Sanfiorenzo is a participant in Lower Manhattan Cultural Council’s Arts Center Residency program and cordially invites everyone to attend the final Open Studios on Governors Island, Saturday July 15, 2023, 12 to 5pm.