Seven Toads

Past Projects:

2022/06

Seven Toads.

A limited series of hand-prints delves into art, nature, and human impact.

A limited series of several handmade linocuts explores the intersection of art, nature, and human impact but also encapsulates Felix’s personal reflections during the trying times of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This limited series of handmade prints offers a commentary on the consequences of our actions on the natural world. Using flattened toads as a starting point, victims of road accidents, Beck has transformed them into a collectable and protectable piece of art by employing a rolling print press. The base of each print is black, symbolizing the somber reality of these toads' fates. Over this black background, a layer of vibrant yellow ink is applied, mimicking the appearance of a toad squashed by a passing vehicle. This striking contrast of colors and textures serves as a visual representation of the harsh collision between the natural world and human activity.

Toad is not only a reflection on the environment but also a metaphor for Beck's personal experience during the Covid-19 pandemic, where many felt overwhelmed and trampled by the circumstances, much like a toad under the wheels of a car. The series invites viewers to reflect on the environmental consequences of our actions, urging us to consider the unintended casualties of our modern way of life and inspire conversations about coexisting with the natural world. Each print is a unique piece of art, crafted by hand, emphasizing the value and importance of each individual piece and mirroring the preciousness of the wildlife we must protect. A statement about the fragile relationship between humans and the environment, encouraging viewers to think critically about their impact and provoke a dialogue about the need for a more harmonious coexistence.

Toad image by FHB, April, 2022

Exploring more perspectives on the intersection of art, artificial intelligence, and personal experiences:

In further explorations of this project, Felix Hardmood Beck conducted visual experiments by inputting relating prompts and images of his produced art prints into DALL-E, an advanced AI model. This approach has enabled the generation of new sequences featuring ran-over toads, bridging traditional art with modern technology. Interestingly, this experiment not only expands the ongoing discussion regarding the consequences of human activity on the natural world but also introduces a unique layer of personal reflection: The feeling of being overwhelmed by the COVID-19 pandemic is gradually giving way to a sense of fascination and being overtaken –or ran over – by AI algorithms.

Image examples generated by Dall-E