Untitled-detail of installation (work in progress) , 2010

Lauren Rumley

My work involves a process of gathering, arranging, placing, altering and modifying small hand-held everyday objects that are usually considered to be ordinary, trivial, unimportant, and useless. I collect items like: half of a piece of candy, a flattened empty can that had gotten tossed on the ground, discarded, and run over by a truck; and a 2-inch piece of thread. I take these kinds of items and place them next to other sorts of small everyday objects, ones that are of utility, things that can be used, are functional, and serve a purpose, such as: a spool of thread, rubber bands, some wire, nails, a bobby pin, a safety pin, a staple, and a piece of tape. Also in this juxtaposition can be found, (but only if paid very close attention to) small items considered to be highly valuable and rare, and other items too, that are vital for human nourishment, survival, and well-being. These sorts of items include: a pearl, money, vitamins, water, food, and medicine.

Living in a material world where there is a tremendous amount of importance placed upon objects and items, where people work so hard at their jobs, and then attempt to find a sense of happiness or satisfaction by spending their paychecks on stuff, things, items, and objects, this work is contemplative and it is about questioning: What is useful? What is essential? What is truly valuable? And what is not?

I am hugely influenced and inspired by the teachings of artists Rose Shakinovsky and Claire Gavronsky.