Stickism, 2014
A process-based research project, investigating the production of value through the methodology of conservation.
I gathered sticks from my local neighbourhood, purely on a subjective basis of personal aesthetic appeal. These were then stabilized, as they were all fairly rotten to various degrees. First they were thoroughly dried out in a greenhouse. Then they were soaked, for a couple of nights, in Danish Oil. This replaced the natural moisture content, a little like embalming fluid is used on a corpse. Finally, the sticks were brought into the studio for days of intense polishing with a range of finishes, from beeswax to shellac.