Wooden Box-Digging The Universe

Wooden box Digging the Universe

This wooden box with lid stands on 4 spade shanks with the handle of the spade shank on the floor.
While when using a shovel one grasps the spade handle by the handle and inserts the shovel downwards into the earth.

The title of this work: “Digging in the universe”,
is a metaphor for the exploration, research and other activities that take place in the universe beyond our earth and atmosphere.

And the universe is immeasurably large.

The earth has been dug since the dawn of humanity.
But the Earth is also big and should in principle be big enough for humanity.
But the earth is not. This because of our lifestyle and large number of people.
And by our attitude towards stewardship of the earth.

Due to the way we treat our living environment, “the earth”, it has long been clear that the earth is not in good condition.
There is serious contamination of soil and water with, among other things, PFAS.
And the high concentration of CO2 in the air is the cause of climate change.

One of the last untouched places on our planet are the deepest seas.
This was because there were no technical means to explore the deepest seas.
But now that this is technically possible, consideration is being given to how to exploit these areas;
deep-sea mining for metals and minerals.

This vulnerable nature, about which not much is known yet, is then disturbed.

The space belongs to everyone and no one.
The result is that after the launch of the first satellite in 1957, now, in 2023, there is already an annoying amount of space debris.

Space debris or space pollution is man-made waste that exists in space, outside the Earth's atmosphere.
It can vary from paint chips or metal particles, to no longer needed covers of satellite instruments, bolts or springs, to a complete discarded artificial moon or a rocket stage.

And mining on the moon is also being considered.
Examination of soil samples from the moon's surface must reveal whether rare, and therefore valuable, materials are present and which we can use here on Earth.
And whether they can be exploited profitably.

To put it melodramatically, I conclude that the earth is bleeding.
Our living environment is seriously threatened and even becoming hostile by all the changes resulting from human actions on earth.
Too dry, too wet, too hot.

And now the exploitation of the moon is also in the spotlight.

But in what way and with what consequences?
Fortunately, the universe is immensely large!

Details wooden box "Digging the Universe"

Part of our solar system is depicted on the dark blue-black background of this wooden box.

The planets revolve around the sun. With Neptune - Saturn and Mars on the left side of the box.
On the lid Venus, the sun, Mercury, the Earth with the moon, and Jupiter.
Uranus is on the right side of the box.
The planet Pluto is still floating somewhere in space.

With a button on the front to open the box as a Black Hole.

On the inside of the wooden box there are 2 radiant, white surfaces from which new stars are formed and shot into the universe.
The so-called "White Holes".

The box is supported by 4 spade handles that extend into space.

If you stick a shovel into the earth you change the surface.
You dig a hole and, as it were, inflict a wound.
And wounds can bleed.
The spade handles are stained with blood.

Dimensions of wooden box
wide 28 cm
deep 21 cm
high 18 cm

Measurements completely
wide 32 cm
deep37 cm
high 98.5 cm

Materials wooden box "Digging the Universe"
pine wood
beech wood
acrylic paint
gold leaf