Ice Fishing

Ice Fishing
2008 - 11"x12', Mixed media on wood.
(Sold)
www.ErikVP.com

Polar bear and pengiun are ice fishing, but feeling dazed and confused by the changes going on around them. The glaciers are melting. The cold winters are no more. Strange new animals are moving into the neighborhood. A capybara from South America. A lizard in an igloo. Most disturbing of all is the dinner they are fishing for. What's this, a fish with legs? How they miss the good old days.

If you have been following my previous experimental artwork, you know I am playing around with abstract poetry. I use the Brooklyn Rail newspaper as collage. I underline words and phrases that catch my attention, and create a poem. The title is a circled word or phrase. I was reading through the random bits of text and found a poem that fit well with the artwork. The poem is to the right of the penguin. The poem is open to interpretation, especially since I didn't actually "write" it, but I've included my comments below if interested.

They Are Not Used?
The extent of the country,
Of land planted.
Radical anti-pollution factories.
Morning before long,
The horizon is black.

Most of the world is made of industrialized countries where land is covered by man-made things. Global warming is a fact, it's just a question of how much time we have left. Extreme measures will be necessary to prevent further damage. It may already be too late. The title, is in reference to the animals and nature scenes you see in the oil company ads and commercials.