Installation
In Buddhist, Hindu, and Bon religions, Samsara is the continuous cycle of life, death, and rebirth. This cycle does not start with life and end in death- but is rather a continuous flow of energy that will hopefully end in the attainment of Nirvana if one has accumulated enough good karma throughout their numerous lives. According to Buddhism, birth, aging, illness and death are all suffering, and therefore life is suffering. The atman, or essential self, is what stays with you through each life, however, memory does not.
In my installation, the the red circle is a constant reminder of Samsara's presence and life's suffering quality. The young fawn looks forward to growing old and experiencing life, but is ignorant to the suffering it will endure throughout it's journey. The doe looks beyond her present life to future hopes of Nirvana. The physical removal of the string represents the transfering of the atman once life has ceased.
Made of nails and thread, this 8x8" installation was on display February 6-20, 2011 in the Schneider Student Gallery located in UW-Stevens Point's Noel Fine Arts Center.
