Living
2011
Retroreflecting tissue, sublimatic print, 250 x 150cm

The Living is a series of five blankets designed to absorb and accumulate the energies released from the human body during sleep. The covers are made of retroreflective fabric and printed on one side with a pattern generated by fusing an image of a meteorite with that of a crystal. The prints were realized using a thermo-sublimating process that makes the ink pass directly from a solid to a gaseous state under particular conditions of pressure and temperature. The works thus becomes a “de-materialized” object: the reflective material makes it into something that can capture and reflect light, and the pattern itself takes on the “weight” of a projection – it is like a holographic wormhole.

These works explore themes of collective consciousness and transformation. By accumulating the sleep of many individuals, they act as repositories for subconscious experiences, weaving together personal narratives into a communal tapestry. The use of retroreflective fabric imbues them with an almost enchanted aura; they do not merely reflect light but seem to absorb and re-emit it, creating an interactive play between visibility and invisibility.

The fusion of meteorite imagery with crystalline structures symbolizes both cosmic origins and earthly solidity, suggesting that our dream activity is anchored in both celestial phenomena and terrestrial realities. The thermo-sublimating printing process further emphasizes this duality by transforming solid ink into gas, mirroring how dreams can shift from intangible thoughts to vivid experiences. In this way, each blanket serves as a gate inviting viewers to step through into alternate realms where time and space are fluid constructs.

This series of sculptures is part of a larger body of work titled Family reunion, which also includes the Ancestors and the Descendants. The trilogy references a circular form of time in which those who have passed away, those who are alive, and those who will be born meet.