Collector Man

I have often observed the ability of a chain-link fence surrounding a waste delivery site, or even a large supermarket complex, to collect all manner of material that gets blown against its periphery. Most of this takes the form of ragged plastic bags, dead leaves and newspaper pages. Collector Man is based on this action.

Collector Man is a constructed figure, consisting of a sturdy framework, or mantle, that supports a wire mesh body. He, or She is roughly twice the size of a real person, and is intended to be positioned in a prominent site, which is subject to a prevailing wind.

The mesh of the figure is covered with low level spines, so that any material, like pieces of plastic litter or other airborne detritus which randomly blows along, becomes stuck to the arms, legs, body and head of Collector Man.

In time the figure becomes encrusted, with an ever evolving patina consisting of a mixture of organic material and printed ephemera. Animals and birds inhabit Collector man, who may be joined by other figures to form a crowd, or marching line positioned along the edge of a hill.

When it snows his edges soften as He emerges half buried by drifts.

Eventually some of Collector Man's organic supports will rot, and break down. His mesh will rust and disintegrate causing the figure to buckle and change. Limbs may drop off, or He could become headless, or simply fall over. New figures then replace Him with the scattered remnants and standing stumps left in position at their feet.