Remains

Remains
By Madisen Schorno

                When I think about the energy we produce and where it begins, I think about the core regions of our body; the heart, lungs, and stomach.  These high functioning organs are both part of the human and animal anatomy.  These necessary organs provide us our basic needs, blood flow, oxygen, and nourishment.  When these vital organs stop working we cannot survive, nor can an animal.  And when these body parts stop working, so does the being it inhabits.

                When an animal dies, why don’t we think about what happens to these vital organs?  We tend to think about the entire body as a whole instead of looking at the individual pieces which makes up the whole.

                My intentions for this work were pure, true, and honest.  Using glass jars and honey to preserve the normally discarded remains, it keeps these thoughts transparent allowing us to share more compassion for the inner organs.  I’ve preserved these normally-discarded remains in honey as an act of compassion.  Honey is used to protect and preserve in a sweet way giving them the full respect they deserve. 

                I learned that although my intentions were good and the initial product was beautiful and respectful, the final outcome was unsatisfactory.  Being unable to seal the jars that held these precious parts, gave way to an outcome that ended up feeling disrespectful as the organs began to deteriorate.  I did, however, proceed with a final act by giving a respectful burial at my home.