Tech Shaman: Shaman Art for the New Age

All images copyright © BG Dodson

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Arthur C. Clarke once postulated, "A sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." As shamans of ancient times acted as the conduit between the Worlds of Mystery and the here_and_now, the new Shamans of Technology explain the mysteries of circuitry, software and the Interface.

Techno-Shamanism is coming. The time is yet early, but the stirrings can be felt. Technology is rapidly outpacing the technician. All too soon only the "Uber Technician" (aka Tech Shaman) will be able to diagnose/troubleshoot/repair the most advanced equipment. These techs will soon bear the sobriquet of "Shaman" due to their ability to sense and translate the Song of the Electrons.

In a few more decades, when circuitry virtually disappears from visual sight, when software is written entirely by machine, all but a few engineers will lose connection with the origins of the technology. The masses will depend on the Tech Shaman to explain the Mysteries of the Unseen and Unknown. Once this breaking point has occurred, when the network goes down, the shamans will be called. Great fires will be lit, machine sacrifices offered, Trance Muzac plugged into the intercoms and the Tech Shamans will begin their frenzied dance of healing - a cybernetic meshing with the rhythms of the Great Circuit.

These pieces attempt to capture the esoteric beauty of the ancients and merge with the current technology - creating a juncture where advanced science is indistinguishable from magick. In short, these are masks for the New Shamans.

Masks are approximately life-size.





Network Shaman Plugged In

Title: "Tech Shaman Mask #1: Plugged In" [sold]
Date: 2003
Comments: Mixed Media. Overall framed size: 17.25" x 14.25" x 4" projection
Circuit board size: 10" x 8.625"



Trench Warfare Shaman Tech Shaman Warrior Coup Counter

Title:Tech Shaman Mask #3: Shaman Warrior Coup Counter [sold]
Date: 2003
Comments: Mixed Media. Overall framed size 17.5" x 14.5" x 4" projection.


Computer Daemon

Title:Tech Shaman Mask #4: Computer Daemon [created for TG Browning]
Date: 2003
Comments: Mixed Media. Overall framed size 17.5 x 14.5 x 4" projection.
Notes: Inspired by my good friend's newly published novel: "Wired" by TG Browning.


WebWalker

Title:Tech Shaman Mask #5: WebWalker [sold]
Date:July 2003
Comments:Mixed Media. Overall Framed size 17.5" x 14.5" x 4" projection.


Hardwired (click to see larger image)

Title:Tech Shaman Mask #6: Hardwired (sold)
Date:August 2003
Comments:Mixed Media. Overall Framed size 15" x 15" x 6" projection.


Once Tech Shamanism has spread into the lives of the common citizen and has ensnarled itself into everyday life, perhaps the Roman Catholic Church will seek to capture a small piece of the pie by merging the new river of knowledge into the old sea of tradition. If so, I think we'll see stuff like this:

Tech Ikon #1 (click to see larger image)
Title:Tech Ikon #1: Disciple (sold)
Date:September 2003
Comments:Mixed Media. 18" x 10.5" approx.


The Enlightened One (click to see larger image)
Title:Tech Shrine #4: The Enlightened One
Date:October 2003
Comments:Mixed Media. 21"H x 19"W x 5"D approx.

Interocitor Repairman (click to see larger image)

Title:Tech Shrine #5: The Interocitor Repairman [sold]
Date:November 2003
Comments:Mixed Media. 18"H x 14"W x 5"D approx.

The Hierophant (click to see larger image)

Title:Tech Shrine #6: The Hierophant V2.0 [sold]
Date:December 2003
Comments:Mixed Media. 18"H x 22"W x 5"D approx. Altered Oct 2004

Android Love (click to see larger image) Android Love (click to see larger image)

Title:Tech Shrine #7: Android Love [sold]
Date:January 2004
Comments:Mixed Media. 20"H x 13"W x 8"D approx.


Shaman Ego (click to see larger image)

Title:Tech Shaman Mask: EGO [sold]
Date:October 2004
Comments:Mixed Media. 16"H x 15"W x 6"D approx.


Floating Point Unity (click to see larger image)

Title:Tech Shaman Mask: Floating Point Unity
Date:October 2004
Comments:Mixed Media. 16"H x 15"W x 5"D approx. (sold)



Cthulhu (click to see larger image)

Title:Mask: Cthulhu
Date:December 2005
Comments:Mixed Media. 12"H x 9"W x 5"D approx. Created for a friend.

Click here to see the CTHULHU GALLERY



Crux (click to see larger image)

Title:Tech Shaman Mask: CRUX
Date:2006
Comments:Mixed Media. 21"H x 16.5"W x 6"D approx.



Emergence (click to see larger image)

Title:Tech Shaman Mask: Emergence
Date:2006
Comments:Mixed Media. 17.5"H x 15"W x 5"D approx.



Madonna of Vacuum (click to see larger image)

Title:Tech Shaman Mask: Madonna of Vacuum
Date:2006
Comments:Mixed Media. 26"H x 19"W x 5"D approx.



Eater of Technology Eater of Technology

Title: "Tech Shaman Mask: Eater of Technology"
Date: 2007
Comments: Mixed Media. Overall framed size: 18" x 14" x 5" projection
" Scream of the Machine" built upon w/a new mask. Vacuum tube lighting via LED.




Shaman in a Box (click to see larger image)

Title:Shaman Mask: Shaman in a Box
Date:2007
Comments:Mixed assemblage. 21" x 21" x 4.5" approx.




Shaman Time (click to see larger image)

Title:Shaman Mask: Shaman Time (sold)
Date:2007
Comments:18.5" x 17.5" x 3". Functional clock.




Untitled Complete Head(click to see larger image)

Title:Tech Shaman Mask: Untitled Head (sold)
Date:2008
Comments:Life-sized head.



Technical Evolution (click to see larger image)
Theological Evolution (click to see larger image)

Title:Tech Shaman Mask: Evolution (sold)
Date:2008/2009
Comments:Life-sized head shaped in DAS clay with electronic components and acrylics. Reliquary base with LED-lit tubes.




Salvare (click to see larger image)

Title:Tech Shaman Mask: Salvare
Date:2009
Comments:28.5" x 18.5" x 5-inches. Mixed media: ceramics, wire, acrylic, wood, electronics.




Vision (click to see larger image)

Title:Tech Shaman Mask: Vision
Date:2009
Comments:26" x 18.5" x 7 inches. Mixed media: ceramics, wire, acrylic, wood, electronics.




Faith Amplication (click to see larger image)

Title:Faith Amplication Shrine (sold)
Date:2011
Comments:38" x 18" x 8-inches. Mixed media: ceramics, wire, acrylic, wood, electronics.



Pi Ascendant (click to see larger image)

Title:Tech Shaman Mask: Pi Ascendant (sold)
Date:2009
Comments:15" x 20" x 5 inches. Mixed media.



Soul Box (click to see larger image)

Title:Tech Shaman Assembly: Soul Box (sold)
Date:2010
Comments:20" x 17" x 6 inches. Mixed media. Tubes lit via LED. LED chase circuit illuminates face & circuitry. UV LED illuminates face. Sold



Shrine of Time (click to see larger image)

Title:Shrine of Time
Date:2012
Comments:32" x 12" x 8 inches. Mixed media. Working clock. LEDs. (Sold).





Time Never Sleeps (click to see larger image)

Title:Time Never Sleeps
Date:2016
Comments:36" x 10" x 8 inches. Mixed media. Working clock. (Sold).





Says it all, eh?


Wired For Words


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