RELIQUARIES
Shortly after our return to Anchorage from London in mid-May of 2004 I underwent orthopedic surgery to replace one of my hips with a prosthesis. The preliminary procedures, the drawing of blood, the MRIs, the x-rays, became oracles delivered by the priests and priestesses of diagnostic science. Even prior to the operation I coveted the bone the surgeon would remove from my body. I couldn't imagine a more intimate element for use in my work. It was these sentiments, combined with my ongoing experimentation in printing on transparencies, which led straight to the conception of "Reliquaries."
Unlike a symbol, a sign with a shared meaning; or an icon, an image containing elements associated with the person portrayed, a relic is a bodily remain, a remnant of clothing or other object related to the subject of the reliquary. This direct physical relationship forms the basis for the spiritual power invested in it by believers. The reliquary itself, the vessel in which the relic is displayed, may reinforce this sense of sacred authority.
These shadow boxes are contemporary reliquaries. They contain bones, objects, artifacts, blood tubes, MRIs, X-rays and DNA panels, the materials and icons of the diagnostic and genetic sciences--the oracles of contemporary dogma.
Reliquaries are available for the prices shown below. Shipping and handling charges are not included in these prices. For details e-mail artworks@eagle.ptialaska.net
Click the images below for enlargements--high-resolution photographs may take a few minutes to load.
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ALL IMAGES AND TEXT CONTAINED HEREIN ARE © TED HERLINGER AND ART ATTACK ALASKA. THEY MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED IN WHOLE OR IN PART WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION, IN WRITING, OF THE ARTIST. TO REQUEST PERMISSION, SEND AN EMAIL TO artworks@eagle.ptialaska.net
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