Brittany Paolella

Brittany Paolella

MediTEAtion

2014

Wire, steel, tea bags

48" x 40" x 20"

This piece was initially inspired by tea and tea leaves. After researching the idea more, it expanded and I explored the monks of Zen Buddhism and their practice of yoga. The monks used to drink tea to stay awake so they could meditate without falling asleep. I decided to incorporate the two together by referencing the position in which the monks would meditate in and adding the tea bags for emphasis. The combination of the organic fluid figure with the commercial tea bags brings in a juxtaposition of the materials and the overall idea. The paper beneath the sculpture was also part of the process and how the liquid form of the tea leaves an imprint just the same as the practice of meditation imprints on the monks themselves.