Old Work- I Give

Mixed Media

6' x 32'

2009

I Give was an installation that was shown in Edmonton, Alberta for two weeks in 2009. I still like this piece, and I feel like it definitely connects with many things I deal with and thing about now, so I figured I would post it even though it's old work.

Work statement:

In our current day culture it seems that many individuals have filled our innate need for spiritual fulfilment and deeper meaning with a consumeristic approach to life. "Things" begin to fill the place of connection and "stuff" begins to fill the role of spiritual openness. 

In this installation, that artist builds 10 shrines out of current newspapers and everyday objects to the most common "gods" of our day. In front of each shrine the artist places offering plates where the public is invited to write down what it is that they give up in search of gaining more material possessions. As the installation goes on the offering plates fill with more and more physiological energetic gifts. But if one reads the papers, it is hard not to notice that what people are giving up, seems more valuable than what they are seeking.