DARK ON THE INSIDE, LIGHT ON THE OUTSIDE

I CREATED THIS PIECE AS A DIRECT COMMENTARY ON THE PHYSICAL REALITY OF SMOKING. AFTER WATCHING SEVERAL OF MY OWN FAMILY MEMBERS DEAL WITH THE HEALTH IMPACTS OF TOBACCO, I WANTED TO BUILD AN OBJECT THAT VISUALLY DEMONSTRATES THAT DAMAGE. THE LUNGS AT THE CENTER OF THE VESSEL WERE FORMED FROM A SHEET OF COPPER, UTILIZING THE TRADITIONAL TECHNIQUES OF CHASING AND REPOUSSÉ. THIS PROCESS INVOLVES METICULOUSLY HAMMERING THE METAL FROM BOTH THE FRONT AND THE BACK TO ACHIEVE A HIGHLY DETAILED FORM. THE PIECE IS DESIGNED TO BE FULLY INTERACTIVE AND FUNCTIONAL. USERS ARE MEANT TO ASH THEIR CIGARETTES DIRECTLY ONTO THE CLEAN COPPER LUNGS. OVER TIME, THE ACCUMULATED ASH, HEAT, AND RESIDUE WILL TARNISH, DISCOLOR, AND DEGRADE THE SURFACE OF THE METAL, CREATING A LITERAL, PHYSICAL DEMONSTRATION OF THE DAMAGE SMOKING CAUSES TO THE HUMAN BODY.