Fault Lines are geological formations where the crust of the earth has fractured, can shift causing earth-quakes and tsunamis, or be displaced causing a change to the geography. In terms of culture & politics, a fault line can be an idea, a person or group, or even an entire country. These imaginary lines divide us, displacing families, friendships, and alliances of all kinds. And then we are left in our respective groups speculating about whose fault the current unsavory situation is, and it is inevitably always the fault of the other group. Or is it?
This piece did not have a name for a long time. It was not supposed to be a piece of art. It was meant to be fire wood for a small back-yard summer fire pit. Meant to be gone, ashes, blown away in the wind. Being new to the city, I did not know small back-yard fires were not allowed until the fire department showed up. The Fireman said a neighbor called it in and, almost embarrassed, he told me I had to put it out. These pieces were then salvaged. Instinctively, after stabilizing the carbonized surface, the fissures were gilt with 22 kt gold leaf. But I always wondered which neighbor complained; whose fault was it?
- Subject Matter: Fault Lines