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Selected work / 2023

The Sentinel of Memory in the Valley of Vulnerability

A bronze sculpture developed through AI text prompts, DALL-E imagery, and three-dimensional modeling.

The Sentinel of Memory in the Valley of Vulnerability — installation view

AI-generated label

Part of the artwork. The attributions, dates, and accounts in these labels may be fictional.

Corebella Torrers

Argentinian, born 1978

THE SENTINEL OF MEMORY IN THE VALLEY OF VULNERABILITY 1980

Bronze

This striking bronze sculpture presents a dynamic composition of human forms arranged in a thought-provoking and enigmatic configuration. The artist skillfully toys with the interplay of dark and light bronze patinas, creating a visual chiaroscuro that adds depth and dimension to the work. It is rendered in a figurative style with pseudo-realistic qualities which evoke a sense of familiarity, yet the abstraction of the forms introduces an element of ambiguity. The artist titled this work The Sentinel of Memory in the Valley of Vulnerability to convey the deeper meanings and emotions embedded within the sculpture. The title serves as a metaphorical representation of the human experience, with the “Sentinel” alluding to the importance of memory in guarding our personal histories and identity. This guardian figure serves as a protector of our vulnerable selves, as it stands watch over the metaphorical “Valley of Vulnerability.” The valley represents the many emotional and psychological vulnerabilities humans experience in life, such as pain, loss, and insecurity. The Sentinel stands as a powerful figure that guards and connects these experiences, embodying the resilience and strength that humans possess in the face of adversity. The choice of bronze as the medium for the sculpture further emphasizes the themes of strength and resilience, as bronze is a material known for its durability and resistance to corrosion. The dynamic interplay of light and dark patinas symbolizes the contrasts and dualities within the human experience, such as joy and sorrow, vulnerability and strength. “Through the alchemy of bronze, I seek to capture the fluidity of human existence. Each statue stands as a sentinel, a unique embodiment of our shared experiences and vulnerabilities. I tread the boundary between the abstract and the tangible, inviting viewers to embrace the complexity of their own identity.”— Corebella Torrers

About the work

The Sentinel of Memory in the Valley of Vulnerability moves from AI text prompts through images synthesized with DALL-E to a three-dimensional model and a physical bronze sculpture.

The work entered the Crocker Art Museum collection as a gift of the artist and OpenAI in 2023.

Exhibitions

The Sentinel of Memory in the Valley of Vulnerability — installation view
The Sentinel of Memory in the Valley of Vulnerability — detail