Nailed

Nailed is a piece being built by myself and Johnny Simon for Burning Man 2025. It is meant to be 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 will be 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 are using 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 will take the shape of an adult size coffin made out of resin cast panels filled with cigarette butts. The bottom of the coffin will feature a traditional red velvet cushion and pillow. The frame will be lined with red neon LEDS. The lights will gently pulse, as if they are breathing, so the piece will seem to almost be a mirage and draw participants to it by the effect of the neon glowing through the resin panels. 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. 

A coffin shaped small offering box will be installed next to the piece as a space for participants to leave offerings for loved ones lost to cancer or meditations on their own vices. This box will be taken to the Temple on Saturday morning.