I couldn't make it to Burning Man, but one of my wood sculptures did! Friends of us organized the “Museum of One” at Burning Man and they invited me to have my work “9000 Years” as part of their curated art experience. Each day they showed just one piece of art. Before the person could enter the space, they did a ceremonial “dusting off” to create an engaging experience and increase people’s excitement. Afterwards, they interviewed the people how the art had made them feel. I really loved this way of presenting and experiencing art. Often, in galleries or museums you are overloaded with a large number of artwork pieces. Here, are some of the experiences the Burners shared:
“This is my favorite thing I have seen on the playa so far. I was rushing over here before the museum closed and then waiting for the piece to be dusted properly before I was able to see it, was one of this big relaxing release of being out of control and forced to be present. First, it was just funny and then it became kind of spiritual. And when I walked in there and saw the piece, it felt to me like relinquishing control and look for the opening, there is always an opening to move forward.”
“The anticipation was building, definitely, as I was sitting there. I know there is a lot of dust out here, and there is a lot of dusting to be done. The piece itself - I really enjoyed the intricacy of the different layers of blocks on top of each other, with the slats of the years of each ring folding into one another, and kind of the negative space in the middle giving a richness to the whole piece as one.”
As an artist I feel deeply inspired, grateful and amazed by what people see in my work, how it makes them feel and how they describe the experience of engaging with my artwork.
Museum of One at Burning Man 2024
Artwork "9000 Years" at Burning Man 2024
Abstract Wood Sculpture "9000 Years"
The curators of the museum had selected the sculpture “9000 Years” because it beautifully fit into the Burner experience and playa setting. Made from 90 pieces of ancient reclaimed redwood with very tight grain lines (100 in each piece), the sculpture represented a time travel of 9000 years of growth (90 pieces with 100 years of growth each). Here are more photos of the artwork.