Joshua Goode
'Mammoth Cowboy'
2015

Name: 'Mammoth Cowboy'
Brand: Joshua Goode
Price: 500 USD
Availability: InStock

About the Item

Inspired by amateur archaeologists such as Heinrich Schliemann who discovered Troy and by past elaborate hoaxes like that of the Piltdown Man, Joshua travels the world performing staged archaeological excavations exposing the malleability of our history. During these performances he discovers his own versions of historical artifacts, crafted from objects from his youth--such as baseball cards, G.I. Joe action figures, POGS, and various other toys and items. His discoveries and claims, while false and absurdly comical, are based on real research. ‘As an artist I am researching and developing mythic historical misinterpretations and manipulations in an effort to expose the malleability of our past, present and future. My alternate history and mythology preserve memories of childhood by reimagining objects and imagery from my youth as iconic ancient artifacts. I created the fictitious Texas based Aurora – Rhoman civilization inspired by the achievements of major historical figures. Having studied history and worked as an archaeologist on many actual excavations, I conduct staged excavations around the world, working with the community as a performance. My constructed artifacts of the invented civilization mix fact and fiction to appropriate and distort the history and myths of each region I engage. The actual and fake objects “found” during these digs have been exhibited in Spain, Germany, Russia, Croatia, Egypt, Italy, China, Belgium and the US, among others. My faux research institute, The Aurora-Rhoman Institute of Archaeology and Cultural Relics, examines the evidence of my ancient civilization at locations around the world. Inspired by amateur archeologists such as Heinrich Schliemann who discovered Troy and by past elaborate hoaxes like that of the Piltdown Man, I use my “discoveries” to manipulate and verify my invented civilization. The archaeological performance and installation begin with extensive historical research and end in an exhibit. The discoveries and claims are false and absurdly comical but based on real research.’ Joshua Goode: Born in Fort Worth, Texas in 1981, Joshua Goode is researching and developing mythic historical misinterpretations and manipulations in an effort to expose the malleability of our past, present and future. His alternate history and mythology preserve memories of childhood ranch life in Texas by reimagining objects and imagery from his youth as iconic ancient artifacts. Having studied history and worked as an archaeologist on many actual excavations, he conducts staged excavations around the world, working with the community as a performance. The constructed artifacts of his invented civilization mix fact and fiction to appropriate and distort the history and myths of each region he engages. His ‘artifacts’ have been exhibited in solo exhibitions in international venues such as the Razliv Museum, St. Petersburg, (Russia); Capellades Museum, Barcelona, (Spain); Zendai Museum of Modern Art, Shanghai, (China); Darb 1718 in Cairo, (Egypt); LaSala Gallery, Zaragoza, (Spain); Galerija Miroslav Kraljevic, Zagreb, (Croatia); Borey Gallery, St. Petersburg, (Russia), and the Monchskirchein Museum, Salzwedel, (Germany) Goode received his MFA from Boston University and has participated in residencies in Russia, Germany, Finland, Spain and was a researcher on an archaeological dig for the University of Tubingen at Vogelherd Cave in Germany. He received the Dozier Award from the Dallas Museum of Art and is currently the Chair of the Fine Arts Department at Tarrant County College in Fort Worth, Texas.

Creator:

Joshua Goode (1981, American)

Creation Year:

2015

Dimensions:

Height: 2 in (5.08 cm)Width: 1 in (2.54 cm)Depth: 1.5 in (3.81 cm)

Medium:

Metal

Movement & Style:

Contemporary

Period:

2010-