For those who wish to exist

Wood, metal, PU foam, plaster, goat images, latex, a goat skull, human teeth, rabbit fur, textiles, spray paint and lacquer paint, taxidemy fox.

As my graduation project, this installation symbolized the close of an important chapter in my life as well as the conclusion of my academic career. This work symbolizes a jump from the familiar into the unfamiliar, a very personal shift. It represents both thinking back on the past and looking forward to future adventures.

A person with mask-covered eyes stands in the middle of the piece, representing the blindness and uncertainty that come with life’s forays into unfamiliar territory. The mask serves as a metaphor for the bravery and vulnerability needed to face the unknown by concealing while simultaneously providing protection.

the route leads to the altar of offering, which serves as the installation’s focal point and represents transformation and sacrifice. The altar serves as a reminder that letting go of the familiar—whether it is comfort, ingrained beliefs, or antiquated aspects of oneself—is frequently necessary for growth.
As a surprising way to wrap up the piece, I asked guests to demolish the sculptures while they were on display. It was a tumultuous and exhilarating act of collaborative disassembly. I experienced a deep moment of letting go of the sculptures themselves as well as the emotional burden they held. Soon after, I moved to Berlin and came to the realization that I couldn’t handle these pieces on my own.

Photographed by tommy smits