"The Zodiac Fountain"
A type of pollution discussed only in the vicinity of
airports is noise. I stopped enjoying music some time ago. I feel the most enthusiasm for
the sounds of nature or for silence. Noise leads to people communicating through signals.
This is a logical development. My biomechanoids, the main characters of my "Mystery of San Gottardo", are organisms with no heads, each reduced simply to an arm and an leg. The twins’ brain - or, rather, their replacement (computers run via electricity and a nutrient solution) - which control everything are located at the juncture where the left upper arm seamlessly connects to the right upper thigh. Biomechanoids have gills and small circulatory systems which are cleansed through sweating. These organisms have sensor communicate with each other telepathically. With humans they sign like deaf-mutes. Every biomechanoid was once a normal human being until divided into three beings when the extremities were removed. The main part, the torso and head, is the most unhappy of the three, because it has to spend the rest of its life as an amputee in a rolling cart and usually serves only as a biomechanoid trainer. It does so, hoping to one day be reunited with its extremities. The two arm-leg constructs, on the other hand, are ecstatic not to have to heed the brain anymore, since they were sick of their existence as slaves. A torso with an elongated skull sits on top the fountainhead, and forms the center of the Zodiac Fountain. The twelve astrological signs are represented by the arm-leg constructs. The fountain was meant for the space in front of the Giger Bar. Unfortunately, Thomas Domenig, the owner, has gotten involved with an animal park in Africa and has lost interest in giving the city of Chur another fountain; the authorities have gotten on his nerves quite a bit in the past. Domenig has tried of his role as selfless giver who never receives in return. Thus the project is taking longer in part because the means for my self-financing are slowly running out. The photos and sketches above show the production of the Zodiac Fountain, which is being set up in my garden as no public exhibition space for it has yet been found! Building of the foundation proper and, at the same time, the fountain’s basin, in reinforced concrete began in fall ‘96. At the same time, Andy Schedler (Atelier FormArt) produced the fountain model, which was then taken over by the Faserplast Company in Rickenbach, who produced the molds and the polyester components. Mr. Klein, the owner, personally developed and produced the water-wheels (polyester) and the accompanying mechanism ( chromium steel and teflon). Mr. Klein and my friend Michael Geringer turned out to be enthusiastic sponsors of the project. The Zodiac Fountain should be finished towards the end of 1997. H.R. Giger |