Treen Three

Kirsten Hassenfeld
Treen Three
Found glass, ceramic, plastic, metal, wood, shell, enamel
2011

Forms reminiscent of the small, 17th – 19t century carved and turned household objects, collectively known as treen, hover here in a multitude of jewel-like clusters. The individual pieces are assembled from small ornamental and utilitarian objects found in thrift stores, gutters and junk drawers. Bangles, vintage buttons, plastic bottle caps, hobnail lampshades and napkin rings are carefully stacked on top of one another to reveal complex symmetrical configurations. While the individual bits of matter have outlived their intended purposes, they find new life in relationship to one another, together becoming curious treasures suspended in vast multiplicity.

Photos by Arthur Evans