Calypso, 2019

Exploring the tension between human ambition and the fragility of the body, Calypso reflects on how modernity has both expanded our physiog­nomic capabilities and imposed new limitations upon it. While our collusion with technological progress initially promised infinite speed and clarity, the consequences of such advancements have also forced us to confront unexpected instabilities and the boundaries of our physical and mental endurance. Calypso uses the paradox of oxygen—which, though essential for life, is toxic and disorientating in its pure form—to investigate relationships that are both beneficial and destructive, be they technological, socioeconomic, or ecological. In Calypso, this question of uncertain support systems, marked by control and surrender, is embodied by a diver’s mask, the chromed surface of which reflects the wearer’s gaze inward, transforming it into a mirror for self-reflection. This introspective design invites viewers to consider their place in a world driven by relentless technoscientific progress. Paired with Le Corbusier’s LC4 chaise longue—an icon of modern design—this juxtaposition of comfort and stillness symbolizes a moment of pause within the frantic race toward mastery. Yet even in repose, the viewer is reminded of their own limitations, tethered to the confines of perception.

Calypso invites the audience to navigate the liminal space between the familiar and the unknown, diving into the uncharted depths of their subconscious in search of an elusive sense of connection, often described as the “oceanic feeling.” Rather than striving to conquer the unknown, the work challenges us to embrace it as an ongoing, infinite process—an ever-receding horizon that shapes understanding while remaining just beyond reach.