Nailed

Nailed was built by myself, Johnny Simon and the Coffin Crew for Burning Man 2025.

Nailed asks the viewer if they are choosing a safer life with less risk or if they are taking the chances that might make their life more fulfilling. At the end, do you want to wonder what might have been if you had taken the chance?

It is both a meditation on death and a celebration of the choices we make that enhance our lives despite coming with risk and consequences that may shorten our time here. The sculpture is a meditation on mortality and the ways in which our choices contribute to our ultimate demise, but also bring us comfort or joy. While we used cigarettes as the main symbol for this, the piece is about the ways in which all substance use and risk taking behavior both poses risks to us, but also enhances our experiences. It is also a reminder of our mortality and that we should pursue what brings us joy while we can and treasure the experience we get.

It takes the shape of an adult size coffin made out of resin cast panels filled with cigarette butts. The bottom of the coffin features a traditional red velvet cushion. The translucent nature of the panels will allow participants to look at the world through the lens of the choices they make and the way those choices impact their experience of reality. The coffin suffered weather related damage on playa and was repaired with gold resin to mimic kintsugi, since the damage is part of the story and the most beautiful part is often the process of repair.

The piece was shown at Burning Man 2025, the 2025 Reno-Tahoe International Art Show, and my solo show "still moving" at Nevada Fine Arts in October 2025. We are seeking a place to permanently install it. Please email Ray at mybodymyhomecoyote@gmail.com for details.