Secretarial Ashtray
Porcelain, Walnut, Electronics

The Secretarial Ashtray appears to be a nondescript porcelain object; its purpose is latent. It hides from the public eye the unappealing ash and waste that accumulates from smoking. After lighting a cigarette, it senses the smoke at hand and responds to the user by providing a place to dispose of ash. It recognizes without judgment that the activity of smoking is present.

This object is temperamental, like a person responding to the signal that someone needs it. How would President Obama treat such an object? Like the behavior of playing politics, whispering smoke into its tiny aperture, like an ear, is an act of gentle persuasion that makes things move. The new President may find this interaction becomes a familiar part of his concealed smoking habit, and a nice analogy to his political approach.

Please come see this work exhibited in Making Modern, June 13th in Chicago
At the Carson Pirie Scott Building, Sullivan Center Gallery, 7th floor

Previously Exhibited
Salone Satellite
Fieramilano Strada Statale del Sempione 28 20017 Rho
Milano Italy

Making Modern
Sullivan Center Gallery
Carson Pirie Scott Building
33 S. State St. Chicago