SHYLOCK ON THE FAR SIDE OF THE AEGEAN
80 kg of butter, cherry wood, glass belljars, two impersonations, video 2014
This installation explores themes of affirmation, validation, loneliness, and the complexities of communication through the figures of Mimi and Father Hughes, a priest from St. Paul’s Cathedral. Positioned on opposite sides of the room, they engage in a ritualistic "call and response" every hour: Mimi recites a recipe for mussels in butter, while Father Hughes recites the Lord’s Prayer. Their intermittent dialogue highlights the challenges of meaningful connection and the potential disconnect between different forms of expression.
At the center, melting butter symbolizes their diverse love languages—culinary and sacred. The butter’s gradual melting represents the flexibility and difficulty of bridging their divide. As it melts and deteriorates, it underscores the struggle and often transient nature of their attempt to connect.
The sensory experience of the butter’s scent permeates the installation, linking the mundane with the sacred. This work invites contemplation on the nature of affirmation and validation, the nuances of love languages, and the impact of time on interpersonal relationships.
