Raphide
Collection: Houston Airport System (HAS)
2007
Stainless steel, copper
Location:
William P. Hobby Airport (HOU)
7800 Airport Blvd
Houston, TX 77061
About the Artwork:
Raphide (2007)
by Rebekah Frank
Metalsmith and jeweler Rebekah Frank, born in Alaska in 1977, has been a blacksmith, welder, and machinist whose work has been featured in the US, Thailand, Netherlands, Spain, England, Mexico, Germany, and more. Here is a cylindrical container by Frank in Bush Intercontinental Airport measuring six inches high, 18 inches wide, and six inches deep. The toothpick-like spikes are made of steel and attached to copper panels through rivets and welding; the title hints that the steel is meant to mimic raphides, which are needle-shaped crystals of calcium oxalate monohydrate found in the cells of plants. According to Frank, each raphide was hand forged and tapered, then buffed with steel wool. The use of metal to create natural cells seems off-putting, especially since the piece is a box with an opening to store items. Interestingly, raphides are thought to be a defense mechanism by plants against animals since they tear the soft tissues of the animal’s throat when eaten. Then, the pricks from the raphides inject protease enzymes, causing swelling, stinging, and burning. Why would this be used as a design for what seems to be a jewelry box?
Rafidio (2007)
por Rebekah Frank
Raphide (2007)
by Rebekah Frank
Metalsmith and jeweler Rebekah Frank, born in Alaska in 1977, has been a blacksmith, welder, and machinist whose work has been featured in the US, Thailand, Netherlands, Spain, England, Mexico, Germany, and more. Here is a cylindrical container by Frank in Bush Intercontinental Airport measuring six inches high, 18 inches wide, and six inches deep. The toothpick-like spikes are made of steel and attached to copper panels through rivets and welding; the title hints that the steel is meant to mimic raphides, which are needle-shaped crystals of calcium oxalate monohydrate found in the cells of plants. According to Frank, each raphide was hand forged and tapered, then buffed with steel wool. The use of metal to create natural cells seems off-putting, especially since the piece is a box with an opening to store items. Interestingly, raphides are thought to be a defense mechanism by plants against animals since they tear the soft tissues of the animal’s throat when eaten. Then, the pricks from the raphides inject protease enzymes, causing swelling, stinging, and burning. Why would this be used as a design for what seems to be a jewelry box?
Rafidio (2007)
por Rebekah Frank
La orfebre y joyera Rebekah Frank, nacida en Alaska en 1977, ha sido herrera, soldadora, y maquinista, y su trabajo se ha presentado en Estados Unidos, Tailandia, Países Bajos, España, Inglaterra, México, Alemania, y otros países. Aquí se muestra un contenedor cilíndrico hecho por Frank en el Aeropuerto Intercontinental Bush que mide 15 cm de alto, 45 cm de ancho, y 15 cm de profundidad. Las púas, similares a palillos de dientes, están hechas de acero y sujetas a paneles de cobre mediante remaches y soldadura; el título sugiere que el acero está diseñado para imitar los rafidios, cristales aciculares de oxalato de calcio monohidratado presentes en las células de las plantas. Según Frank, cada rafidio fue forjado y afilado a mano, y luego pulido con lana de acero. El uso de metal para crear celdas naturales resulta desagradable, sobre todo porque la obra es una caja con una abertura para guardar objetos. Curiosamente, se cree que los rafidios son un mecanismo de defensa de las plantas contra los animales, ya que desgarran los tejidos blandos de la garganta del animal al ser ingeridos. Luego, las picaduras de los rafidios inyectan enzimas proteasas, causando hinchazón, escozor, y ardor. ¿Por qué se usaría esto como diseño para lo que parece ser un joyero?