Future Primitive: A Reflection on Future Vestiges

Future Primitive is an artwork by Jean-Philippe that explores time, memory, and the environmental impact of contemporary society. Inspired by ammonite fossils observed in the Torcal mountains of Málaga during his residency at La Termica, the piece reflects on the traces our civilization will leave behind.

Ammonites, ancient marine fossils, symbolize natural evolution. Jean-Philippe questions what future generations might consider our legacy. For this, he uses an everyday object—a dryer ventilation tube—which contrasts with the natural form of ammonites. This tube becomes a metaphor for the modern, disposable objects we produce, potentially fossilized as relics of a past era.

By transforming the tube into a cement ammonite, the artist comments on the durability of contemporary materials and the fleeting nature of our creations. Cement, a relatively new material, replaces the organic ammonite with something lasting yet artificial, prompting reflection on what will endure from our time.

In essence, Future Primitive invites us to consider our place in the passage of time, blending natural forms with industrial materials to question the legacy we are creating for the future.

La Térmica, Creadores 2016

Technique: Reinforced pigmented concrete.
Dimensions: 51x53 cm each
Year: 2016