Catherine BIOCCA, 2019 Marines V Marines V

“Marines V” is part of the “Marines” series, made for Biocca’s “Infinity Pool” exhibition in 2019. Catherine Biocca created a large spatial installation depicting an underwater world for the show. In the series, the artist addresses a number of ships that sank between 1870 and 1956, including her extensive research on their history. She also ties shipwrecks to depictions of sea monsters. Using fine industrial marker pen, she draws the swell on the PVC, a sailing ship struggling to stay upright amidst the frothing waves, a small boat with oarsmen attempting to navigate through the ocean while a monster with a unicorn-style horn emerges from the depths. The element of water is the elixir of life, yet also harbors myriad dangers. Biocca picks up on the archaic theme of the connection between humans and water, focusing explicitly here on portraying disasters on the high seas. Reflecting on past eras, she also draws attention to current developments; her focus spans Antiquity and its mythological sea monsters, the Industrial Revolution with the first major maritime disasters, and extends to the present day, where many set off across the sea hoping for a better future. The series embodies a thirst for adventure, yet also touches on escape and suffering. Nonetheless, Biocca’s artistic execution also adds a certain playfulness to her motifs, initially leading viewers down a different track before turning the spotlight to reflections on global social issues.

Catherine Biocca (Rome/IT 1984) studied at the Art Academy Düsseldorf and won the STRABAG Artaward International in 2015.