Genesis on the Rocks/Packed Up + Ready to Go

A towering pile of assorted stuffed animals, including a prominent Taz character, against a blue gradient background with a rope structure in the center
Sixth Day, Topher Delaney

Exhibition Dates

April 9, 2010 to July 11, 2010

About the Artwork and Artist

This serial installation of seven conceptual “rocks,” Genesis On The Rocks/Packed Up + Ready To Go is a reflection on the creation narrative of the Book of Genesis. As Delaney describes it, “On seven sequential ‘days,’ creation on the macro level was transformed from formless, chaotic darkness into an orderly, hierarchical universe where, on the seventh day, one can rest and reflect upon the enormity of this extraordinary evolution. Genesis on a micro level parallels the trajectory of individual lives; we begin with light.  In our passage through life’s journey, we experience the growth of the tree of life and the tree of good and evil, as we rest on the seventh day.”

With this site-specific installation, Delaney evokes seven distinct passages of time as described in Genesis through the creation of graphic, contemporary sculptural forms. Like other works by the San Francisco-based artist, these seven installations embrace the material world and will continue to change through time and the climate’s weathering of materials. The works of art become part of the everyday, the cycles, the personal narratives, the history of place.

Topher Delaney's twenty-six year career as an environmental artist and builder has encompassed a wide variety of projects including residential gardens ranging from intimate scales up to 400-acre large scale sites, one-acre large corporate rooftop gardens, numerous resorts, award-winning sanctuary gardens for medical facilities, and public art installations, including the plaza at the University of San Francisco’s School of Business.  In addition, Ms. Delaney's work has been recently exhibited at the DeYoung Museum and at the San Jose Art Museum. Her works incorporate many innovative materials including rubber, colored concrete, fiberglass, glass and recycled plastics.

Sponsored by the Thacher Gallery at USF, the Rooftop Sculpture Terrace is located on the third floor of Kalmanovitz Hall at the University of San Francisco.  It is free and open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday. 2130 Fulton Street (at Cole), San Francisco, CA 94117. (415) 422-5178.