In this thought-provoking exhibit, visitors were invited to walk along the surface of 100,000 miniature porcelain skulls. The project, entitled What Will You Leave Behind?, was created by artist Nino Sarabutra to explore the idea of death in contrast with our connections to a living, physical world. The artist said, “I don't see the skulls as images of fear or sadness. They are liberating: look at all the opportunities, all the lives you could live, how serious your life is. Then go out and make the most of it.”
To create the piece, friends, family, neighbors, students, and workers helped Sarabutra to create the tiny skulls. During that process, the artist asked them to consider their own personal answers to the exhibit question, and those answers were then projected onto the gallery walls as part of the collective display.
As visitors delicately traveled throughout the room, they were greeted with heart-shaped plates hanging on the walls that encouraged them to “act now” and “do today.” Also placed throughout the room were skull-covered pillows, a table, and chairs. The inspiring project was meant to spark questions of how we choose to live our lives and, upon our inevitable demise, what lingering impressions might we be leaving behind.
