Steamroller by Sebastian Errazuriz 3 low.jpg

2012

Art Installation

A large steamroller is set inside a gallery space. Wedged underneath the rolling pin of the steamroller is a pair of pants. A disabled person with no legs lays under the steamroller, placing his legs inside the pants that are wedged below the rolling pin.

The viewer enters a long room with a real steamroller placed at the very end. At first glance it appears to be an exhibition dealing with appropriation and de-contextualization. Approaching the steamroller the viewer notices that there is a figure underneath the rolling pin of the steamroller; imagining it's a sculpture of a person, the viewer walks closer. The viewer freezes when noticing the body under the steamroller moves.

 

The viewer tranquilizes imagining it must be a mechanical contraption of sorts that moves the figure. Relieved, the viewer moves closer and once again freezes; this time acknowledging that the figure under the steamroller is a real person.

Searching for the “trick”, the viewer imagines that the person under the steamroller must have its legs going into a hole in the ground.The viewer approaches the disabled person triumphant believing they have figured out the trick.

Steamroller by Sebastian Errazuriz 4 low.png
Steamroller by Sebastian Errazuriz 1 low.jpg