Weight and Sea, sculpture by the sea, bondi, sydney

Introduction

Weight and Sea is an interactive sculpture which offers viewers the opportunity to be weighed in public and have their weight displayed on a large LED screen that is visible for hundreds of metres. It aims to challenge people's perceptions about their body image and weight. 


It was exhibited in the 9th annual Sculpture by the Sea, Sydney, and was situated between Bondi and Tamarama beaches. These beaches are internationally renowned as summer attractions for the display of toned, honed, tanned and fit bodies, where the focus is on "the body beautiful" and the competition to create and exhibit a "perfect body" is evident. The contemporary mind-set of "perfectionism" about the body often causes the stress and anxiety in people's lives. Weighing the body usually happens in private and takes a lot of time, effort and money to make the body a particular shape, colour and size. By bringing the private act of weighing the body into the public sphere, Dreyfus has allowed this complex social issue to be addressed. "Weight and Sea" delights and horrifies audiences, adding light relief to this 'heavy" subject. "How much do you weigh? Does it really matter? People come in all shapes and sizes, so don't worry too much, it's only a number." Sculpture by the Sea Kids Guide , 2005

Citation

 

Print Media

5th November 2005

Treasures Glitter By The Beach,

Elizabeth Fortescue,

Courier Mail


 

4th November 2005

Weight and Sea,

Oryana Kaufman,

Australian Jewish News


 

3rd November 2005

Mapping Our Beach Treasures,

Elizabeth Fortescue,

Daily Telegraph