interventions: Cyclops
Odysseus and the Cyclops (Greek, from The Odyssey, by Homer)
Cyclops was a member of a race of savage one-eyed giants. In the Odyssey, Odysseus escaped death by blinding the Cyclops Polyphemus. After 10 years of fighting against Troy, Odysseus, one of the victorious Greek leaders known for his cleverness, sailed for home with his men and ships. After many adventures, they came to an island. Unbeknownst to them, the island was inhabited by the Cyclops people, a race of giants with only one eye in the middle of their forehead. The Cyclops creatures were lawless, without culture, and ate humans when available.
In the animal kingdom, Cyclops are also, tiny copepods, or crustaceans, that are found in many freshwater and saltwater bodies of water. They derive their name from the single eye located in the middle of their head. Another name often used to refer to this tiny crustacean is "Water Flea," due to the resemblance of the young Cyclops to fleas found on land. The body of the Cyclops takes on the hue, at least in part, from what it eats. Cyclops species can vary in color from blue, green, orange, and red. The single eye may be black but it is quite often red. They are omnivorous, eating algae and a variety of other microscopic debris. On average, they live for about three months. Females are more abundant than males and have paired egg sacs that are carried at the back of the body. When conditions are ideal, Cyclops will rapidly multiply.
Unsanctioned intervention installed in 2021, New York, NY,
materials: acrylic paint, acid-free ink, Fabriano paper (23 X15 inches)
