Artist's Statement

When I started out to build the pieces for this show, I began making various images of the man in the moon that most all would recognize. The challenge was, simply put, to create an image in a more or less, three dimensional manner. As I worked along from piece to piece, things changed, though I did not consciously seek the changing. What began as straightforward presentations of images became expressions of emotion and ideas or concepts, and gained energy one to the next. After months of work, and nearing an end, it occurs to me that we of the earth have for all time up to now looked at the moon in the night sky and placed it into one context or another without actually effecting much of a change of the moon itself, "one small step for man" notwithstanding. Soon, clearly within our lifetime, mankind will attempt to colonize the face of the moon itself, and forever alter its appearance by that act. It will be a revisiting of our human nature extended beyond earthly bounds. It is in my mind, inevitable. The moon in the night sky will never be viewed as we view it now, but will always show the fingerprint of mankind upon its face. The newer pieces reflect thoughts and emotions about the coming encroachment. It is my hope that the work as a whole will help raise awareness of the impacts of our human activity. The immutable night sky is about to be changed by the hand of man.

A few samples of Displays the Kaskaskia College Art Show

"Man In The Moon" Show, John Smith