The Creation Myth 1998

Jason Rhoades made this installation, “The Creation Myth,” with found objects, lights, and electronics. It's like he took all his studio leftovers and turned them into a chaotic, energetic world. Rhoades throws everything into the mix: glowing buckets, piles of wood, monitors, lamps, tables, and stacks of paper. Nothing is hidden; you can see the cords and the cheapness of materials. Look at the glowing plastic buckets, each one a slightly different shade of neon green. They bring a crude, almost punkish energy to the work. This piece reminds me of Kurt Schwitters’ Merzbau, a constantly evolving architectural environment made from found objects and personal ephemera. Both artists challenge what art can be, turning the everyday into something wild and unpredictable. Rhoades' approach is not about perfection or clarity, but about the raw, messy process of making and thinking.