Clarissa Arvin (WV)
Activated Pocket Idols

With this project, I created a hand-held idol form to explore the relationship between physical touch and spiritual connection through material manifestation. Each idol will hold the same conceptual meaning, no matter materials or processes used. The historical idea of idols being vessels that project or contain something intangible but with a more personal significance. I wanted to create an object that might offer an immediacy in comfort by being on their person. If it is believed to hold this comfort in its physical form and activated all the personal would have to do is touch it for reassurance. The form I created to be a maternal-like roundness and gentle form that abstracts figure into just a head and body. A crucial element that I think promotes the pocketed ability of the idol is the nail or screw at the center: the idol is not activated until the owner drives a nail or screw personally into their idol. Making this physical connection and experience the idol is then able to release and fulfill what it embodies.