Ode to a Black Hole, 2019
Casket, constructed music box, plinth
I am scared to die because I am scared to be alone. But it is not certain that when I die I will be alone. In fact, it’s not certain what happens to any of us when we die. Growing up I have experienced death a couple of times, and with each of these experiences, emptiness was present and the assumed promise that their souls were in a better place.
The casket is exposed in the center of this room, on the white plinth. Outside of the casket is a small crank that is connected to an interior music box. When the viewer turns the crank a song plays. The song melody is simple and familiar and has a similar unsophistication to the music boxes we played with as children.
Ode to a Black Hole is about the fears that are associated with death. A black hole is only born when a star dies; therefore it relies on death in order to be born. Without prescribing this as a metaphor to life on earth, it has made me consider what life after death could be and if, like the black hole, we could be reborn in this space.
