D E S I G N /// ck

A new interesting book is out, Library of Dust by Davis Maisel:

Esteemed photographer David Maisel has created a somber and beautiful series of images depicting canisters containing the cremated remains of the unclaimed dead from an Oregon psychiatric hospital. Dating back as far as the nineteenth century these canisters have undergone chemical reactions causing extravagant blooms of brilliant white green and blue corrosion revealing unexpected beauty in the most unlikely of places. This stately volume is both a quietly astonishing body of fine art from a preeminent contemporary photographer and an exceptionally poignant monument to the unknown deceased.

It reminds me of the words recited as ash was placed on my forehead a few weeks ago:

Remember that you are dust, and into dust you shall return.

We live in a decaying, broken world... yet unexpected beauty accosts me everyday. It's in this tension I find the most peace, why I find things like Library of Dust so fascinating.