The Great Birth

A "hand-organ" sculpture with miniature elements.

A black box with a crank that the spectator is able to spin. On the top of the box there is a hole with a magnifying lens. One is able to peek inside the box and see the landscape inside: a presumably hung figure with a light coming from his abdomen, enclosed by trees that will move when spinning the crank.

"The Great Birth" is a wordplay from the term "la petite mort". But instead of orgasm (and the sensation of emptiness it may cause afterwards), this term describes a sensation that might feel insignificant or unpleasant but that will result in an enlightened state of mind.

• Type: Sculpture
• Date: 2010
• Materials: mixed media
• Status / collection: Dismantled