Vanitas: The transience of earthly pleasures

After my tutorial with my tutor, I concluded that my project isn't just about decay but rather the process of transformation and change. The impermanence of material. While researching on the net, I came across this intriguing exhibition which I would have loved to have gone too!!!

Vanitas was first developed in Holland during the 17th century where the wealthy would display their earthly treasures but in the end you cannot take it with you to Death. This was frequently displayed using the human skull to symbolise the passing of time and fragility of human existence which links quite well with Lori Nix's work. Other items that were used ranged from books and candles to flowers and insects.

The pieces below are contemporary interpretations of this well known theme of our own mortality:

 Bertozzi e Casoni - Electric Chair with Butterflies

 Kate MccGwire - Slick - 2010 - Magpie and crow feathers, mixed media and antique fire basket

Ori Gersht - Time after Time

 Tim Noble + Sue Webster

 Tom Gallant - Moths - Cut black paper, collage, cork and taxidermist pins

 Tom Gallant - Rose Window V (After Morris) - 2010 - Wood, glass, cork, collage, varnish, cut paper, taxidermist pins (porn magazine)

Wim Delvoye - Untitled (Car Tire # 2) - 2009 - Handcarved lorry tire