In the Blink of an Eye
In the Blink of an Eye
by Denise ((bonaimo)) Sarram
20" x 29" x 8" Assemblage, 2022
$1200
lenticular image of the human skull, rifle casings, tin merry-go-round coin bank, wooden child's blocks, board game spinner, vintage black and white photos of children, paper drink coasters, plastic doll eyes, glass drawer pulls, sample eyeglass lenses, fabric vintage book covers, metal rifle replica, handmade paper, reproduction vintage circus signs, chemistry board game pieces.
I created this artwork to cope with yet another school shooting. I am not even sure how to articulate my astonishment that our society hasn't solved this tragic problem.
Set in the context of the carnival games people play, the shooting gallery, in particular, "In the Blink of an Eye" refers to how quickly countless lives can change when individuals with guns attack a group of people.
The letters at the top protruding from the rifle casings spell out the title with chip board symbols from the periodic table of elements.
Shift right and left around the artwork and you will see the lenticular image of the human skull "blinking" at you.
The blue tin coin bank with the image of people on a merry-go-round is from my childhood. It was a coincidence that one of the people is holding his hand in a trigger finger position. I attached it to a wind up music box. Give it a gentle twist and it the tune "You Are My Sunshine". The song's lyrics end with the poignant... "please don't take my sunshine away."
From the collection "Anatomically Speaking- The Carnival of Life"
