library of dust

Library of Dust is a really interesting series of photographs, by David Maisel, of found objects - namely old copper canisters used to hold the remains of cremated mentally ill patients. The most interesting part for me is the way that the human remains have altered the copper, various minerals such as calcium have different effects on the canister. This article about it is also very fascinating as the writer talks about the fact that when these images were on display the story behind them was not made clear and until it was the images didn't have the desired impact.