Josh Sands

Breathe Step Arrive, 2019

This project is a series of maps that examines the intersection of the five stages of grief in relation to water.

BREATHE…Now take a step…aaaaand ARRIVE. Now here is the statement about the piece.

Josh Sands w/ Joely Davis Digital Designs

Breathe Step Arrive, 2019

Bridge Exhibitions Contemporary Art w/ the City of Eugene Cultural Services

Visual Arts Week: Aug 2nd-Sept 4th

Sponsored by Imagination International Inc.

In partnership with LTD, FastSigns, Smith Family Bookstores, & 5th Street Public Market

“Breathe Step Arrive” is a series of five imagined transit maps. At first glance the familiar graphic network seems to describe a complex system of subway or bus routes. We are naturally drawn in to seek our current position and destination among the lines and dots. Another look reveals unexpected suggestions of our possible current “location” in relation to water resources, personal psychological status, our level of distraction verses interaction, and more. The artist invites us to examine our general state of awareness, but he also wants to help us appreciate the luxury we have in being able to “live outside” of the immediate moment. The content of the maps, with their mix of lightly humorous, and more serious “stations”, as well as the leisure moments we spend perusing and considering them, may be foreign experiences to those living in more challenged socioeconomic, environmental, or political circumstances.

Now here are some thoughts about the piece from the artist. "

“ego adsum” (Latin meaning I am here).

The inspiration for the title of this series “Breathe Step Arrive” comes from the great Vietnamese Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh in his profound book “You are Here.” “Breathe, Step, Arrive” is a passage from the book that acts as a suggestion to the reader to better understand their surroundings. A strategy to become more aware of the experiences and sensations of being alive. Much like a map, the quote’s simple suggestion seeks to guide the viewer along to calmer waters, and offers nothing more than an approach to discovering some form of compelling fulfillment. Yet this type of mainstream neo-spiritualism seems forced, and a bit phony. How is it that we become so detached from ourselves and our surroundings that it takes a personal mantra or guide to help us find ourselves again? In one sense this project’s aim is to encourage the viewer to question their awareness in relation to water and their mood, but in another more subversive way its goal is to question the privilege we have to be able to live outside of the immediate moment. People living in desperate socioeconomic situations often times are forced to live in the moment. Others who are forced to deal with potential violence and hate, live in a state of hyper-awareness of their surroundings. Through our greater understanding of the present moment we hope learn more about our internal selves, but also understand how lucky a position that can be, to be given a choice. I chose water for it’s humanizing and humbling quality. An elemental source of life that no person on this planet can live without and thusly cannot avoid being a part of their everyday lives and surroundings.”