Artist Statement
A culmination of experimental work in time travel and topological research, local artist-scientist Chelsea Darling has unveiled a revolutionary device to permit controlled flight through time. Chronos One, as the device has been named, is a timeship that now resides on the Atlanta BeltLine.
This towering futuristic structure features a state-of-the-art crystalline hull that provides both orientation and safety in temporal flight. At the heart of this art-engineered structure is an unprecedented energy source: an oscillating resonator crystal. This mesmerizing gem harnesses fourth dimensional movement, a scientific advancement that opens unprecedented new possibilities for humanity. “It’s not technically new technology, but it is a new way of imagining it. Sometimes repurposing a wheel gets us further than reinventing it,” explains Darling.
Though this timeship has officially been in development for six months, engineering started for many years prior. “I’ve been seeing influences from my future self to guide me through the development of this technology for quite a while now. That’s how most folks in this field get started: there is a point at which every chronoscientist travels back to ensure that the work gets created by influencing their own past.”
Artist Bio
Chelsea Darling (they/she) is a greater Atlanta area sculptor and metal artist known for large-scale sculptures that combine traditional forging with modern fabrication techniques. With a strong background in commercial design and an extensively traveled life through the contiguous U.S., their work displays a broad array of styles and expressions. While high craftsmanship and a feeling of embodied life are characteristic of their works, Chelsea considers their art genre-agnostic and instead focuses on the strength of metal as a communication tool. For a creative practice, Chelsea spends their time methodically exploring the depths of metalworking techniques. Workshops, published curriculums and continued professional training in blacksmithing, casting, fabrication, and machining facilitate this continual curiosity for creation in steel, stainless steel, brass, bronze, and copper.
These traditional and contemporary bodies of knowledge come together to form the unique possibilities that Chelsea forges into meaningful art. Professionally, Chelsea owns and operates a sculptural and ornamental metalworking company, Darling Company. Through this venture, they design and build work for a diverse range of clientele including private art collectors, public and government organizations, commercial businesses, and museums. Chelsea leverages a previous successful career in graphic design to craft well-researched and thoughtful work to encapsulate the stories of their clientele with care and communicate them with clarity.