Perceived Negativity

Sapphire Barajas, Bryce Slocum
"Perceived Negativity"
2023

This piece is in response to Michael Heizer's "Double Negative", a fabricated canyon in what Heizer called an empty space among the desert sands. We translated the map into a more topographical 3-Dimensional rendering to showcase what was actually there; a striking mountain range that oversaw a river in a place many land artists considered inherently barren.

The empty map piece is what Heizer saw before his art was placed there, while the rest of the map showcases our ability to see nature as an artistic medium that contains a variety of stories within its own ever-changing landscape. Deserts aren't empty spaces for art or waste to simply be placed but carefully preserved ecosystems with a quietly complex rule set.

We focused on showcasing natural forms and letting the impression of height and depth speak for itself while creating a semi-textured collage to showcase the ruggedness of the mountain and the expansive flat desert landscape side-by-side.

Double Negative (1969)
USGS 7.5 Minute Quadrangle Map
OVERTON SE, NV