Time Keeper

02.2023
  
Human rib bones, Fomes fomentarius mushrooms, clay, thread, river rocks, fire

A clay piece reminiscent of an insect carapace is precariously balanced atop human rib bones. Smooth river rocks are wrapped in thread and drapped over the top creating a delicate balance between instability and functionality. 

As the tinder conk fungus (Fomes fomentarius) material burns from one end to the other at a rate of ~10 minutes per inch, it leaves the scent of musk & earth. As it burns the threads, the stones fall making a loud sound that signifies the passage of time. This piece represents the human proclivity to measure time, and the absurdity behind all units of measurement. We had a running joke that this piece wouldn't survive the art show. It broke a few times while setting it up, but we incorporated the broken pieces as part of the work. It did survive, and worked as planned. 

In collaboration with Josie Zayner.