Can I Help You?

This is the Image i displayed on a A4 piece of paper laminated and stuck onto the wall. Accompanied by;

Can I Help You?

By

Jarred Knott

“A live human body and a deceased human body have the same number of particles. Structurally there's no difference.“ - Jon Osterman

My work’s aims to open your mind and considerations to what value ‘life’ has. Is it simply an overrated phenomenon?

“Can I Help You?” explores the mindset of those who kill, who murder, who are so detached from reality and society they choose to take another’s life. A key research aspect was of the Zodiac Killings, by someone who has eluded the law since he murdered 5 people in the late 1960’s, the same time set from the initial starting point of this project of Michelangelo Antonioni’s film Zabriskie Point(1970) which also took place within California like the movie.

This piece takes a very laid back and casual approach to the issues it tackles. Much like infamous serial killers in their motives and considerations towards life. Also there is a undeniable black comedy feel to the work; you don’t know if you should laugh or not. I leave that choice unto you. What I do wish for you to think about though is the fact that anyone of us, your partner, your child, your neighbour, your postman, even you yourself, could be a killer. It is a fact that we cannot deny about our nature, we all have the capacity to kill.

This is the statement which was partnered with my exhibition piece.

I feel this outcome for this exhibition was more of a experimental stage rather than a means to an end. I aim to continue on this project throughout my next one, as there is so much potential in the concepts of my ideas. I would like to maybe look at some site specific work perhaps, for example "how to drown someone" manual in a public swimming pool. Also extending the ideal of the manuals, for instance setting a faux company up which gives advice on how best to murder/kill someone. There is also the prospect of bringing the idea into new mediums, possibly even videos of TV adverts on how to kill someone successfully, or billboards, etc. Before I take this project further I'm hoping to do much more reading and concept proofing my idea with books into the psyche of serial killers, how the media represents them and the attitude the general public has towards them. Another interest i would like to explore is the "value" of life, how it is regarded and what worth we give/imply of it. This could include looking certain cultures and religions outlook on death.