Clavis Aurea : In Search of the Golden Key

As a tool that allows opening, the key is a symbol of freedom. As a tool for closing, the key can symbolize privacy and security. The key is also a symbol of ownership, knowledge and power.

This site specific installation was mounted as a response to a personal conflict I encountered with our town planning department and certain policies they have in place that I am opposed to. The issues were regarding affordability of housing.

Timing being everything, I'd serendipitously been scheduled a long while ago to display my work in this window in our Town Hall. In a moment of poetic justice this window display happens to be in direct view from the Planning office. I tried hard to reserve making hard value statements or judgements as I wanted the work to have space for contemplation from many perspectives.

Its hard to see the details, but each key has been gold leafed and the wood used at the base was salvaged from a natural forested area that was cleared for a new retail development.