Moat

The landscape in Moat is the magic, yet artificial world of Disneyland, recreated by Clemens from disposable and mass-produced items reconfigured into towers and castles. Toilet rolls, polystyrene, and plastic cups are shrink-wrapped into the pristine, sterile exteriors of this magic kingdom.

Sealed for easy consumption, Moat refers back to the moated castles of yesteryear, their untouchable inhabitants protected from intruders, much as today's gated communities protect the rich from a marauding criminal poor. Waterproof, floatable, and easy to install, Clemens' presents a version of Disneyland filtered through simulation and reproduction, a kind of kit-set playground for the local consumerist.

Eddie Clemens would like to thank Polycut Products Ltd, Amcor Kiwi Packaging NZ, S.P.A.N and Advanced Hair Studio for their support of the Moat project.

Reviews, Essays & Articles
Fresh - A series profiling Contemporary New Zealand Practitioners
The Physics Room Annual, 2001
Devenish, Lee.