-Liberty Bell c. 1919

This small Liberty Bell, made of an unknown material, sits in the Minneapolis Institute of Art, reminding us of grand narratives cast in miniature. It’s kind of great how anonymous it is, like it just appeared, ready to ring again. The bell’s surface is a warm, aged bronze, with a patina that suggests years of handling or maybe just the slow march of time. The texture isn't smooth and pristine, but marked, almost like a thumbprint, suggesting use. And the words cast into its form, the promise of liberty, feel weighted by this history. There's a small plaque attached, a reminder from the First National Bank of Alexandria, Minnesota, urging us to "Ring it Again." I love that the bell is sitting here, mute, and waiting for the call to action, caught in a state of potential. It reminds me of something like Rauschenberg’s use of found objects – repurposing everyday things into something newly meaningful.