Instead of an envelope of shredded papers or a half-destroyed book as I’d anticipated, the
material I received in the mail that was to be the stuff of my artwork for Reversing
Vandalism was a book jacket in perfect condition. I could have explored the darker side
of the acts of vandalism (the book my jacket had contained was missing and of course I
was left to imagine its damaged state), but as I began sketching ideas, my pen would
not allow it. Somehow I felt compelled to bring a lighter tone to the work: the very idea of
organizing an exhibition of artworks made from the damaged books was extremely
life-affirming to me; in addition, I did not receive a tangible example per se of “violence”.
(Paradoxically, in order to execute my piece, I dissected my previously undamaged book
cover. I am grateful for the deliberation and respect my doing so required.) The result
is an object that references the greater issues around this exhibition. At the same time, my
small sculpture is sort of visual pun with humor serving as a way out of despair and
into hope.
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