Hand Gun Series

This ongoing series explores the absurdity of conflict and diplomacy in politics.

Each piece is a variation on the idea that adversaries can shake hands without having to touch each other. In some cases actual electrical vibrators are installed to produce the necessary shaking when the trigger is pulled. The smaller designs are intended for politicians to “reach across the aisle” while the larger one is for long distance use and can be set to either “shake” or “slap” hands.

Every element was found — scrap yards, second-hand stores, dumpsters — then cleaned, stripped, sorted and rebuilt. Found aluminum is TIG-welded and sanded seamless; nothing is cast. The electronics are salvaged from consumer devices, repaired and rewired so the piece does something when you touch it.