CORNELIA PARKER (B. 1956)

Parker began the series ‘Meteorite Landings’ in 1998, using actual meteorites. Parker heated up a Gibeon Meteorite, dating back to 1836, and carefully placed it on top of different famous London landmarks from a ‘London A–Z’, in this case the Houses of Parliament. The heat of the meteorite created a charred hole in the map obliterating the original landmark, literally erasing them from view. The holes echo the craters left on the earth’s surface by giant meteors that have fallen from space. In this way, the works can be seen as an apocalyptic reminder of the power of nature and how we are helpless to protect ourselves against it.