My response to Mike & Doug Starn - aka The Starn Twins

I am imagining how my attitude to my public transport journey would change if it took me to such a station. Their work 'See it split, See it change', at the South Ferry Station is magnificent. A glorious thought to think of how their work would lift the spirits of those that grace the same space as it.

There is now a new psychological condition called something like Nature deficit disorder, because of the fact that so many people live their lives surrounded by concrete and steel.  Never connecting to the earth, never walking bare foot, or feeling bark against their skin. Instead completing removed from nature, with even the stars missing from the city sky. This work puts at least the thought of nature into the most unlikely of places. Wonderful.

'See it split, See it change', By the Starn Twins, at the South Ferry Station America
from http://www.starnstudio.com/MTA_SF.html


Response to other work by the Starn Twins

'Attracted to light' by The Starn Twins, found at http://www.starnstudio.com/

I love their work 'Attracted to light' and 'Structure of thought'. I felt that the viewing experience was heightened by the way they chose to show their work: the immense size of the work dominates. The thin, fragile quality of the stained photo paper creates anxiety; the rough quality of the sides of the numerous panels adds an edgy feel. I see images of the opening credits of the movie 'Se7en' (seven), and hear Nine Inch Nails - when I look at this series.

Photos that could have felt very different, even light, now feel sinister and tainted. This is so much more added to the work this way, taken beyond the simple subject matter itself and the work is more powerful for it.

'Structure of thought' by The Starn Twins, found at http://www.starnstudio.com/