Adornment marks ideas of preciousness, beauty, sexuality and esteemed value. The repetition of pearls through history has perpetuated the cultural identity of them being something of royalty. There is an inherent preciousness in the forms of these biological gems that are highlighted by these reflective objects. Through the isolation of a cultural obsession of gems and their contributions to status, this work is a reflection on the grandiose. This piece takes a more utilitarian approach to pearls and their value and focuses on the principles of object reconstruction and fabrication. In this, the original functionality of a necklace is removed. Instead, the mirror reflects the audience back onto themselves and the pearls become a looking glass. This kind of display of an object alters the perception of the viewer by removing any sort of original value and replaces it with a value of materials and charged sentimental recognition.

Photo Credit: Doug Manelski
Dimensions: 11 ft x 11 ft x 2 ft