These Things That Remain - Courtney Donovan & Zoe Harr

Thousands of people every year are fitted with bionic limb reinforcements and replacements - artificial knees, hips, rods, screws - but no one considers what happens to these pieces when someone passes away. These objects exist within millions of people, yet most have no idea what they look like.

We were presented with an amazing opportunity to utilize these parts in a meaningful way. We were inspired by these pieces to ask questions about the things, and relationships, that are left behind when we die.

Our idea is to curate a collection of these objects in a gallery setting, addressing the overarching question - when we are gone, what is left behind? While showcasing these objects in a way that creates reflection and exploration - much like a curated set of objects in a museum - we will use literature to discuss all of those elements of humanity; life, death, love, loss, and so on. As the piece is still in progress, our research will come from development of the idea, and the physical creation of the piece.

We believe this project - while being unconventional - will be impactful on every audience it encounters. By presenting a set of uncommon physical objects in an artistic setting, the project will ask the viewer to consider tough questions about life and loss. It will bridge science, sculpture, and creative writing in an innovative and emotional way that has never done before at K.S.U.