Marisa Dipaola
the bear rug worn in her cave at raymondskill falls, deleware water gap national park, 2008
‘the bear rug’ was created for a cave near a waterfall where I was residing last winter.
It is a magical space which I briefly inhabited, as a bear, living in the habitat I have created for myself.
An onlooker might see the installation as a home for someone else, a cozy spot complete with a bear rug. This piece is a tribute to the bears who have fallen to become flooring for someone else.
This series focuses on habitation, and living within the natural world instead of altering and destroying it.
‘the bear rug’ is site-specific to a cave out in New Jersey’s bear country; they have reclaimed their habitat and fortunately are protected.
I am the guest here. We are all the guests here.
Dear Marisa,
There’s a universal appeal in the way you generate ’something from nothing’ that belies a certain gravity in your work. Was the bear rug a solitary encounter? Do your projects involve performance with assistants and observers or do you create the habitats and clothing by yourself and document on your own? Who is your audience? How would we find your cave?
Take a look at Shana Robbins’ new work. She shares some of your sensibilities about the natural world.
her work is so great Wish she never stop doing her Art. Marisa one of the great Artist we have now…