In Praise of Shadows

Solid wax, cotton wicks, wooden bases / 20” x 30” / 500 lbs. each / 2019

Why large candles were not created throughout history is unclear, so making them now feels like an act of historical correction. With wicks proportionally scaled to burn like large versions their smaller counterparts, these two candles are capable of staying lit for more than a year. Their ideal use will be for quiet, collective contemplation in public settings. The title is taken from a 1933 book by Junichiro Tanizaki. In it, he praises the quality of candlelight on Japanese art and architecture, advocating for shadow and subtlety over light and clarity.