Renee Zettle-Sterling
Coopersville, Michigan
Worth Its Weight in Earth?
4.6 grams of compressed earth cut into the shape of an engagement ring and wedding band.
I took the weight of my gold engagement rings with diamond and the
weight of my wedding band and converted their weight into dirt.
3.81 cm x 3.175 cm x 1.27 cm Engagement Ring;
3.175 cm x 3.175 cm x 1.27 cm Wedding Band
During last year's conference I attended the panel discussion on the effects of gold mining. I was struck by how much waste mining for gold produces and its detrimental effect on the earth (Franky, it also made me think about other forms of mining and their impact on the world). This experience really made me look at my engagement ring and wedding band differently. How much waste was produced from the production of my engagement ring and wedding band? How is it that these ultimate symbols of love and commitment are ultimately helping to destroy our environment? Where does all of this leave us? I think that this dialogue is a wonderful start towards reconsidering our awareness and responsibilities toward the environment in both our personal and artistic practices.
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