Mythologies
Simonds’ work is based on a personal mythology. The rituals of this mythology are periodically enacted by Simonds and have occasionally been recorded as films. A selection is included below.
Dwellings
Since 1970 Simonds has created Dwelling places for an imaginary civilization of “Little People” who are migrating through the streets of neighborhoods in cities throughout the world; New York, Paris, Shanghai, Berlin, London, Dublin, among others. Each Dwelling is a different time and place in the history of the lives of Little People, a chronology of some of the Dwellings that have been photographed is available.
Three Peoples
Simonds has written a fictive ethnography entitled “Three Peoples.” Originally published in 1976 by The Saman Gallery in Genoa, Italy in English and Italian. It has been widely reproduced and translated. “Three Peoples” elucidates the behavior and beliefs through time of people who Simonds imagines live in linear, circular and spiral dwellings.
Floating Cities
Charles Simonds's Floating Cities are changing constellations of social and economic land units transferred to a water site. Although planned and managed, these maritime communities have the flexibility of a natural system, with the ability to divide and multiply their configurations much as an organic, cellular structure. Simonds views these futuristic communities as alternative modes of living.
Installations
Simonds often creates works that address a particular space, place and history. Some are connected to exhibitions, and some are indoors, and some are outdoors.
Object Works
Simonds has created discrete “object” sculptures; some are imaginary places viewed on pedestals, others are freestanding sculptures. A chronological selection of images is available.
Sevres
Since 1995 Simonds has worked at the Manufacture Nationale de Sevres in France. Selections of the works produced at Sevres are available.
