The Iliad Cenotaphs combine the classic text of Homer’s Iliad with modern medical mapping of the human body. Throughout the Iliad, over two hundred and fifty soldiers are given names, birthplaces, and lineages, only to be slaughtered on the battleground in anatomically precise detail.
A cenotaph, a word derived from the Greek kenos (empty) and taphos (tomb), is a monument erected for one whose remains are elsewhere. With the Iliad Cenotaphs, it is my intention to erect monuments for these mythic figures, to illuminate their enduring purpose in the canon of human stories.
As the location of their wounds is recorded, as well as the weapon of transgression, it is possible to trace this mortal passing with a physical passage of assault. In this body of work, I am currently sculpting and painting the negative space of each soldier’s wound as if it were an anatomical model to be studied and analyzed. Through the cartography of the body, the medical view of the world illuminates not only the physical properties of life, but also the intangible value of it. In this representation, the Hippocratic oath stands in stark contrast to the futility of war. Against the horror and literal disembodiment that is modern warfare, these ancient warriors offer an almost eerily serene entry-point for the contemplation of life, and its violent cessation.
Antiphus hurled at him— the son of Priam wearing a gleaming breastplate let fly through the lines but his sharp spear missed and he hit Leucus instead, Odysseus’ loyal comrade, gouging his groin as the man hauled off a corpse— it dropped from his hands and Leucus sprawled across it.
As Peirous moved off, Thoas, an Aetolian, hit him, his spear striking him above the nipple. The bronze spear point bit into his lungs. Thoas moved in to close quarters, pulled the heavy spear out from his chest, drew his sharp sword, then drove it straight into the middle of his belly, destroying Peirous’ life.
…such was the rage of young Diomedes as he closed with the Trojans. Next he killed Astynöos and Hypeiron, shepherd of people, striking one with the bronze-heeled spear above the nipple, and cutting the other beside the shoulder through the collar-bone with the great sword, so that neck and back were hewn free of the shoulder.
…such was the rage of young Diomedes as he closed with the Trojans. Next he killed Astynöos and Hypeiron, shepherd of people, striking one with the bronze-heeled spear above the nipple, and cutting the other beside the shoulder through the collar-bone with the great sword, so that neck and back were hewn free of the shoulder.
Who was the first Trojan the marksman Teucer hit? Orsilochus first, then Ormenus, Ophelestes, Daetor and Chromius, princely Lycophontes, Polyaemon’s son Amopaon and Melanippus too- corpse on corpse he dropped to the earth that rears us all…
Who was the first Trojan the marksman Teucer hit? Orsilochus first, then Ormenus, Ophelestes, Daetor and Chromius, princely Lycophontes, Polyaemon’s son Amopaon and Melanippus too- corpse on corpse he dropped to the earth that rears us all…
Who was the first Trojan the marksman Teucer hit? Orsilochus first, then Ormenus, Ophelestes, Daetor and Chromius, princely Lycophontes, Polyaemon’s son Amopaon and Melanippus too- corpse on corpse he dropped to the earth that rears us all…
Who was the first Trojan the marksman Teucer hit? Orsilochus first, then Ormenus, Ophelestes, Daetor and Chromius, princely Lycophontes, Polyaemon’s son Amopaon and Melanippus too- corpse on corpse he dropped to the earth that rears us all…
Who was the first Trojan the marksman Teucer hit? Orsilochus first, then Ormenus, Ophelestes, Daetor and Chromius, princely Lycophontes, Polyaemon’s son Amopaon and Melanippus too- corpse on corpse he dropped to the earth that rears us all…
Who was the first Trojan the marksman Teucer hit? Orsilochus first, then Ormenus, Ophelestes, Daetor and Chromius, princely Lycophontes, Polyaemon’s son Amopaon and Melanippus too- corpse on corpse he dropped to the earth that rears us all…
Who was the first Trojan the marksman Teucer hit? Orsilochus first, then Ormenus, Ophelestes, Daetor and Chromius, princely Lycophontes, Polyaemon’s son Amopaon and Melanippus too- corpse on corpse he dropped to the earth that rears us all…
Who was the first Trojan the marksman Teucer hit? Orsilochus first, then Ormenus, Ophelestes, Daetor and Chromius, princely Lycophontes, Polyaemon’s son Amopaon and Melanippus too- corpse on corpse he dropped to the earth that rears us all…
…The archer loosed a fresh shaft from the bowstring straight for Hector, his spirit longing to hit him— but he missed and cut Gorgythion down instead, a well-bred son of Priam, a handsome prince, and the arrow pierced his chest, Gorgythion whom Priam’s bride from Aesyme bore one day, lovely Castianira lithe as a deathless goddess… As a garden poppy, burst into red bloom, bends, drooping its head to one side, weighed down by its full seeds and sudden spring shower, so Gorgythion’s head fell limp over one shoulder, weighed down by his helmet…
…Quick with another arrow, the archer let fly from his bowstring straight for Hector, his spirit straining to hit him—shot and missed again as Apollo skewed his shaft— but he leveled Archeptolemus, Hector’s daring driver charging headlong, caught him square in the chest beside the nipple and off his car he pitched as his horses balked pawing the air.