______

___________________________________________________________________

STATEMENT

12 traffic cones act as the 12 faces of a regular dodecahedron. The regular dodecahedron is a platonic solid, which, when the Greek Pythagoreans discovered it, thought it represented the entire universe. The Pythagoreans kept knowledge of the dodecahedron secret from the public (Sagan, 1985), and when Hippasus showed the public the sacred shape he was drowned for the impious act (Iamblichus, 1998)

Thus the dodecahedron is a representation of elite hidden and protected knowledge. To surround the shape with traffic cones playfully relates that this knowledge is dangerous and kept from the public for their own safety. Placement of this work is intended for the public entryway of a university, governmental or financial building. In this way examining the roles that these institutions play in the dissemination of knowledge to the public.

The work is constructed to tolerate public interaction with it, including shaking and rolling it around. All materials have been recovered from industrial dumpsters including the internally supporting PVC pipe, wood screws, and traffic cones.

Iamblichus, L. Deubner, U. Klein. De Vita Pythagorica 34 (246).
K G Saur Verlag Gmbh & Co (July 1998)

Sagan, Carl. Cosmos. Random House Digital, Inc., 1985

_____________________________________________________________

Protected Knowledge

Dan Sternof Beyer
Cabot Science Library, Harvard University 2011

Part of the exhibition
Reuse, Renew, Recycle: Different Ways of Thinking About Trash

This exhibition is only availible for view to Harvard card carrying students and faculty. The Cabot Science Library is not open to the public and boasts one of the most impressive security checks on campus.

_____________________________________________________________

Special thanks to Susan Berstler, Reed Lowrie, Dave Madan,
Alec Resnick and Hippasus of Metapontum.

_____________________________________________________________

Process Photos

[_thehinge.net_]