Martin disler

evolutionary art.

Martin Disler is a Cape Town based sculptor, artist and revolutionary thinker. His artpieces challenge ones stereotypes and future thinking. Martin's background in architecture helps construct unique pieces from conceptual phase through to three dimensional visions. Combining the use of clay and bronze embodies the earth and being of our world, and in particular the African earth. Martin's influences come from merging the future era with the values and renaissance past of humankind. As an artist, the work that is produced is more than merely conscious thought. The art is an expression of our inner most concerns and excitement of the future combined with repressed concern and rage at the past. more info…

The Series

Future Myth I Chapter 01 is the initial iteration of Martin Dislers’ enquiry into the feminine dimensions within himself and all those around him. This series uses the female body as the site for marriage between technology and nature; as the artist discovers a liminal space in which the organic and inorganic can be imagined in symbiosis. Ever respectful for the conditions of life, these sculpted figures are a study in mindfulness and the limitations of Artificial Intelligence, and the human’s ability to create. Computerisation is designed to overcome imperfections, whereas with nature and humans – imperfections are integral to their expression. Using Ball Clay, a mixture of clay and wax, Martin’s intuitive conversation with his medium is such that he builds and communicates his work alongside his own conscious awakening into this new age. A collection of Goddesses and Gods features in this collection.

#ISLA6

Artists' view of 'Future Mythology'. The central figure in this series conveys a finalisation of the process between technology and humanity. Her expression depicts a generative future, poised, conveying attentiveness and an ability to overcome obstacles. The figure is a human, female body with intricate lattices across her form.

These are energetic conduits and note a source of power that the figure draws on from a technological source, emotionally driven and concerned with the right and just channeling of her power.

A human engulfed in Artificial Intelligence in the form of energy bands, from which sources of power are transferred physically, spiritually, and cerebrally.

55 x 45 x 45cm (Bronze)

#Jones

First Goddess to #ISLA6 expanding on the idea of the pantheon, the artist has taken care not to deify these figures – but rather reference the symbolic nature of how Goddess’- or Powers – and showcases the path towards the first Avatar, with different stages of the energetic conduits – now pixelated, woven into her being.

Her role is supportive to the central figure, yet her own individuation process is underway. #JONES portrays the emotions of power and control, partly covered in fast expanding AI pixelated dressage transmitting and enhancing human abilities.

76 x 30 x 30cm (White Marble Dust, Resin & Gold Leaf detailing)

#Mary

Second Goddess to #ISLA6. Fashioned as a futurist vision of the Mother Mary, the third Avatar in this series holds the familiar gentle facial expression, yet juxtaposed with Christ’s hand signal – suggests Mary as a source of power well within her own right, referencing the untold story of women in religion and spiritual mythology.

The Avatar represents the power of thought – and vision of introspection, in which the cerebral material of human consciousness is understood as the entry point for our current technological acceleration. #MARY portrays the power of serenity, calm, consideration, patience and insight.

60 x 45 x 35cm (White Marble Dust & Resin)

#ISIS

Egyptian Goddess. Woman Pharoah related headress and garments made from AI infused digitized components enhancing cerebral thought and physical capabilities.

This item has not yet been cast and is shown in its original state in clay.

55 x 45 x 45cm

#Thula

The first of the supporting ‘Warriors’ to the Avatar Goddesses in the ‘Future Myth’ series. #THULA translates; To be quiet - To be peaceful - To be still, the power of careful insight, consideration and understanding.

Energetic conduits latticed in the form of electrical circuitry wrap the body feeding cerebral commandments from a head dress shaped in the style of African tribal adornment.

45 x 35 x 25cm (White Marble Dust and Resin)

#Astral

This Warrior Goddess lives in a supposed non-physical realm of existence to which various psychic and paranormal phenomena are ascribed, and in which the physical human body is said to have a counterpart. ‘Spiritual beings from the astral plane’. She is able to fly and cross time and Galaxy.

35 x 25 x 25cm (Ball Clay - Work in progress – ready for casting)

#Athena

This Warrior Goddess, combines wisdom, warfare, female arts, crafts, justice, and skill. She embodies cold rationality, tactics, and strategy, renowned for giving men courage on the battlefield and invention of significantly useful tools and structures.

40 x 20 x 20cm (Ball Clay - Work in progress – ready for casting)

#Reclining Goddess

55 x 25 x 20cm (Ball Clay - Work in progress)

#Young Blood

Future Myth Chapter 02: The initial figure in this series evokes a male support for the Avatars unfolding landscape. A male figure perched in reference to Rodin’s ‘The Thinker’, yet more in a pose of resistance than contemplative. Beneath his foot, a carefully stacked pile of Gold bars are the object of contemplation; for a young African figure – Gold is a symbol of protest, and speaks to the centuries of foreign wealth that has been extracted from Africa’s rich mineral deposits. This Avatar signals a critical shift in cultural and political focus for the ‘Áge of Aquarius’ in which future Myth is situated; namely, autonomy and agency for Africa, and oppressed indigenous people around the world will be fundamental to the shaping of a new earth.

While Chapter 01 hosts the pantheon of feminine powers in a cosmic, higher-idolised framework; Chapter 02 charts a dialogue towards the material and physical imaginings of the future.

76 x 35 x 30cm (White Marble Dust and Resin)

#The Sage

He is the seeker of the truth, wisdom, and knowledge. Engages in meaningful introspection and self-reflection, and strives to understand the world and its mysteries. His merge with technological advancement and artificial intelligence is often blockade by the inevitability of the physical body being unable to go the distance. The shadow of the sage is the damnation of future myth and augmented reality.

65 x 45 x 35cm (Ball Clay - Work in progress)

#The Boxer - Golden Gloves

The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) has become the worlds’ largest fighting sport in modern history with over 50 million followers on social media.

The start for most hopefuls is from oftentimes poor beginnings, and the journey to the top is arduous and long. In recognition of an individuals’ courage and determination and success, an award of the ‘Golden Gloves’, is made by their peers.

55 x 30 x 30cm (Marble Dust and Resin)

#Sumos - Decision making

This earlier Series is an abstraction of the Japanese tradition of Sumo-Wrestling as the embodiment of the three criteria for decision-making. Hindsight, insight, and foresight are fundamental to the practice of Sumo, with wrestlers adhering to strict living conditions, preparations and practice, often for up to twenty years before facing professional bouts, ten years of which are spent studying their opponents, surrounded by thousands of wagering spectators.

Sumo-wrestlers have the least amount of time of all athletic disciplines in which to make their decisions. This tradition as a meticulous expression of decision-making, and the integration of hindsight, insight and foresight as an intuitive art form in achieving exemplary outcomes, is further depicted in three different faces, Concave, Flat and Convex.

45 x 45 x 25cm (Bronze)

#Crouching sumo

This is the Sumo wrestlers’ starting position with fists and feet all touching the ground. This position must be held by both contestants in order to start the bout. It is from here that the Sumo must decide how best to engage in the practice.

Traditional throwing of salt and slapping the thighs is conducted prior to this stance being taken. The winner is the first to get their opponent out of the 15ft diameter Dhojo ring.

45 x 30 x 25cm (Bronze)

#Gaia

Known as the Mother Goddess, the name ‘Gaia’ means ‘The Earth’. She is described as a caring and nurturing figure to all the children and plants of the world.

In this depiction she is seen standing in a pool of water on the surface of the part submerged planet earth carrying a child and spherical head in the clouds of the universe.

55 x 30 x 30cm (Bronze)

#Seated Lady

45 x 25 x 25cm (White Marble Dust and Resin)

#Levitation

50 x 20 x 20cm (Clay and Wax - Work in progress)

#AFRICAN QUEEN

The first African Queen. She had a son with King Solomon of Jerusalem, Melenik 1, meaning, son of the wise. According to history she and her son returned the Ark of the Covenant to Axum in Ethiopia.

35 x 20 x 20 (Bronze)

#Candelabra

This series is about women in entertainment set in the backdrop of the world of Circus. Objectification of women has different connotations in this setting as admiration and amazement takes the form of physical ability, athleticism, and fitted garments to show off the extraordinary talents of the performer.

In real world scenarios these traits are often deemed provocation and stimulate the darker side of the psyche. The flames of the candelabra are seen as a vigil to those looked on in this way to be mindful.

45 x 45 x 25 (Bronze)

#Contortionist

The contortionist in a circus setting amazes and intrigues, the sheer athleticism and extraordinary ability to contort the body in seemingly impossible positions. In this piece the body can spin on the axis of a bite gripped by the teeth of the performer.

Bronze and Stainless Steel (1200 x 1200 x 1200cm)

#Tattoo Series

A series started in 2011 where the artist cast his entire body in plaster, then sculpted the tattoos he might consider having if the urge took. Each tattoo has personal meaning. The two pieces shown here are of the front torso showing the Phoenix rising signifying new beginnings.

The back piece has two jumping Japanese Koi fish, signifying all the good things in the world, and the image of an armed human attempting to prevent this from happening.

55 x 45 x 25cm (Bronze)