Fluid Hemispheres, New York- 2000

Apoptosis

Apoptosis (from the Ancient Greek, describing programmed cell death in multicellular organisms) reflects Petroc Sesti’s early exploration of impermanence, suspension, and the power of fluid materials. Inspired by artists such as Alexander Calder and Medardo Rosso, Sesti combined a fascination with suspended forms with a desire to move beyond static artworks, experimenting with fluids to push materials to their limits and visualize the full extent of their energy and movement.

Using lycra and setting liquids such as plaster, Sesti created reliefs of organic shapes. In works such as Octagon Blue(1999), plaster was poured into lycra, allowing it to stretch and expand naturally in suspension, forming hanging shapes of peculiar beauty, combining solid mass with suspended elegance.

Fluid Hemisphere (2000) and Apoptosis (2000) extended this exploration, suspending lycra from gallery ceilings and pouring 200 litres of water into the hanging forms. The works embraced destructive chaos, making it the focus of the artwork while conveying a surprising quality of peace and elegance. These experiments marked the beginning of Sesti’s ongoing interest in using water and fluid forms to interpret motion, optical phenomena, and the unpredictable power of materials.