rites of passage: charon (a stroboscopic zoetrope)

during my first night out on the playa, i discovered one of my favorite installations...

{photo by trey ratcliff}

the piece is called charon and it was created by san francisco artist peter hudson. in his words...

Based in Greek mythology, this visually arresting piece will physically engage people in a vigorous genuflection of sorts which bring life to Charon, the gondolier to the afterlife. Charon engages them to reflect on their own mortality, and ponder how to give and get the most from their brief time here on earth. The artist’s hope is that they will not dwell on their ultimate demise, but to instead ponder how they might make their own lives richer and more meaningful. Recent losses in the artist’s life give him reason to consider the piece a final farewell and bon voyage to those who are cherished, gone but not forgotten.

the zoetrope movement was created by teams of people pulling the ropes...

{video by mark day}

it gave the illusion that the skeleton boatman was rowing us across the river styx in his vessel, gazing steadily from side to side...

{photo by michael holden}

charon was ominous, beautiful, eerie, grand, mesmerizing.

an interview with the artist...