To imitate the experience of looking up into a loose bundle of paper (Yuan Bao), I suspended party store ephemera that represents celebration in my culture at various heights. I intentionally slip cast some of the materials in porcelain and used glazes which mimic the color and texture of the other synthetic materials in order to establish a point of contention. The contrast between the permanent and ephemeral materials is intended to provoke the participation of the viewer to investigate the work and question their own mortality.
While living and working in China, I became fascinated with these loose bundles of shiny paper referred to as Yuan Bao. Yuan Bao, or “spirit money”, is gold Joss Paper folded in the shape of a boat with a circular “bump” in the middle to symbolize the Ancient Chinese small ingot currency. Throughout Jingdezhen, I would frequently see these bundles suspended from entrances of small shops that sold various ephemera (e.g. faux paper currency, paper objects, incense, candles etc.). I learned later that these stores were referred to as “Death Shops” as they sold supplies for funerals, memorial ceremonies, etc. In China, it is a traditional custom to burn Yuan Bao at processions to not only pay respect but also celebrate the life of a lost loved one (and send them money in the after life). The shape and amount of the Yuan Bao offering is variable as the small metal ingot currency was NOT mass produced by a central bank or mint, but instead handmade by local metal smiths.