The Adoration of Pinne

In "The Adoration of Pinne," I explore the tension between devotion and destruction, permanence and impermanence, and the human inclination to elevate the mundane into the sacred. The central element—a bowling pin, stripped to its wooden core and scorched by fire—acts as a relic, an object simultaneously desecrated and sanctified. The burned surface stands in stark contrast to the pristine white HO scale catwalk encircling it, suggesting a dichotomy between purity and ruin.

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The etymology of "Pinne," rooted in the Old English word for "peg" or "post," hints at the pin’s historical utility, simplicity, and steadfastness. By burning it, I strip away its intended function, leaving only the symbolic essence—an empty vessel open to reinterpretation. Around it, small red human figures embark on a ritualistic procession, their movement evoking the act of veneration. The downward-facing red triangles on the banners allude to the pin's original function, now inverted in both form and purpose. These symbols suggest a sink or fall, referencing the transformation from a utilitarian object to a false idol.

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Religious adoration often centers on the intangible: faith, divinity, the ineffable. Yet, human history is replete with the worship of tangible idols—objects imbued with power by collective belief. "The Adoration of Pinne" critiques this phenomenon by presenting a humble, burned object elevated to sacred status. The procession, the banners, and the stark white platform all mirror rituals of organized worship, but they frame an idol that is neither divine nor profound, merely a remnant of destruction.

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This work questions the essence of sanctity and the human propensity to project meaning onto objects, challenging viewers to consider what they revere and why. By burning the pin, I both desecrate and consecrate it, inviting a reflection on the nature of reverence and the dangers of misplaced adoration. "The Adoration of Pinne" asks: Are we worshiping the divine, or are we bowing to the hollow remains of our own making?

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The Adoration of Pinne

Mixed media
00 x 00 x 00 in / 00 x 00 x 00 cm
2020

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​The Bowling Pin Show — The Comet Bowling Alley - Atlanta, GA - 02.20.2020