Right now, many people are experiencing a multitude of strong feelings in this current world: fear, uncertainty, anger, grief, numbness to name a few.
In this communal installation What Melts, Remains, participants place small objects representing their emotions in ice trays which are then frozen. These blocks of ice are placed in the vessel located in the SCI Lobby and, over time, the ice will melt; the objects are revealed and come to rest together.
What was frozen becomes visible.
What was separate becomes collective.
The melted ice water is gathered and used to nourish seedlings of plants representing peace, protection and resilience. The melted ice water symbolically transforms harm and fear into care. What once held tension will help something grow.
When the plants are ready, they will go back out into the world.
What is frozen can melt. What remains is what we must care for.
Emporium of Ice and Time
To participate, visit the Emporium of Ice and Time in the Media Arts + Practice office space located in SCI 101, Monday-Friday, 10am-4pm.
Choose a small object that represents how you’re feeling right now.
(Use the materials provided or bring your own)
Fill out a card explaining what your object means to you.
Place your object and card in the ice tray. (Use the Overflow jar if the ice trays are full)
Return the next day (Monday–Friday) to witness the ice melt and water collected.
Visit often. When the seedlings are ready, consider taking one with you.