The Amulet Project: The Heart of the Matter

My present project continues my work related to the human heart and combines elements which speak of spirit and matter, past and present, science and art. Amulets have been used since ancient times as objects which have powers of healing or protection against disease or ill fates. They are meant to contain the spiritual, ie., invisible powers of the universe. With the scientific pursuits of medicine in the Western world, there were discoveries regarding how the body actually functioned and healing then required physical, material . . . medical intervention. The amulets that I am creating contain the intention of healing, but they also incorporate biomedical devices which have addressed the malfunctions in cardiological electrical conduction systems. The amulet below is made of the following: the case of a defibrillator, covered in sterling silver; the "wings" are the connection mechanisms between the lead in the heart and the pacemaker; an antique watch mechanism; and an ivory hand, with a gold pin that had conducted someone's heartbeat in an electrophysiology procedure.

The amulet below is created with miscellaneous vintage camera parts, gold leaf, mirror and magnifying glass, The upper chamber opens to reveal the circuit board of a pacemaker.

In the amulet above, the upper chamber can be opened, revealing the circuit board of a pacemaker which had been used to adjust the electrical conduction system of a person's heart. Originally, it was encased in a hermetically sealed titanium case. Through various atttempts, I was able to open the case with a diamond disc, and remove the circuit board.

The amulet below is created with an antique watch mechanism, an aluminum grid ,and a sterling silver backing. The gold pins in the grid were conduction points which carried a person's heart beats in an electrophysiology procedure.