Pods

Pod No. 1, 2004 & Pod No. 2, 2004

While travelling in Mexico, I visited a market in the town of Jeuhican. Large pods were for sale everywhere. I decided to buy a few, thinking that they would remain shut and retain their shape. A couple of days later the pods started to slowly open and to reveal beautiful, vanilla fragrant white flowers. I later learned that they were used in homes and churches as decorations for Easter. I packed them up, brought them home, and decided to cast them immediately into bronze. When I cast objects from nature, I realize that by trying to preserve them I am arresting and ending their natural evolution of growth and decay. I am “mummifying” them and transforming them into an object to meditate and reflect upon.

I have always been interested in pods as containers of life.