THOMAS MANN DESIGN - the Oxidation/Burial project

This project began in July of 1995 for exhibition in the Fall of the year 2000. It is an experiment for the future about the end of the decade, century and millennium. It is about the effect of oxidation on materials and life. Each of the twenty pine boxes contain a one-of-a-kind neckpiece made of steel, brass and silver handcrafted by Thomas Mann and are thematic to the particular burial site. The boxes also contain work by other artists in a variety of media. The boxes are "buried" in earth, water, fire and air at sites of importance to the artist located around the country.

Calistoga Box Calistoga Neckpiece

Calistoga,CA : I love the way things happen sometimes. I had expressed the idea to Paula and Eileen at the Artful Eye that, being a wine collector, I'd like to bury this box in a vineyard. Did they know of anyone or could they direct me in some way? Well, sure enough, at just the right moment Eileen came up with a connection to the Robert Pepi Winery. It all came together and the burial will be during the harvest.

San Francisco Box San Francisco Neckpiece

San Francisco, CA : When I decided that the San Francisco box would be an air burial, Maria and Abrasha's rooftop immediately came to mind. They had moved into a new house on Protero Hill that had a fantastic view. With assurances to my friends that the box's presence will not produce any "roofing" dilemmas, the box was installed on their roof, on a specially designed rack weighted down by cinder blocks, in the early part of August of this year.

Boise Box Boise Neckpiece Boise, ID : The Idaho location provides a link to the circuit of burials around the country and links many of my own artistic concerns to one location. It also brings up connections to my old friends, Chaz and John. I remember Chaz's "walks in the wilderness". I have always looked at these walks as a meditative act. This project is also a meditative act. John's love of the plains and mountains and his surveying ability lend themselves to the mapping aspects of this project because the placement is a critical component. Also, the fact that Chaz's and Lois's daughter, Alexa, is now a young woman and budding artist helped this choice. A piece of her work is included in the box.

Derby, MS Box Derby, MS Neckpiece

Derby, MS : Friends Rick Fifield, Jim Charbonnet, Amasa Miller and Anita Cooke own a lovely piece of property up in Mississippi where they created a weekend hideaway that they often share with their friends. I love their place. I love them and the wonderful opportunity they have provided to enjoy Thanksgivings and Easters and the Pesto Festivals.