What Are We Looking at?

Carson's seemingly simplistic images may appear to state the obvious, the difference between relaxation and stress. If that is so obvious, why is everyone constantly stressed and rarely relaxed, if ever at all? The images are visually appealing. The elements in the photograph are sparse just like what they claim to represent. The red platform, floating in space, adorned only with its golden nails and a generic rubber band.

The only difference between the two images is the placement of the nails. That is it. Everything follows from that one simple choice. In one image the nails do not exceed the length of the rubber band and it is in its natural state. In the second image the distance exceeds the length of the rubber band and it is severely stretched. Image number one exerts no pressure on the nails, image two does. Not only that, image number one looks like an imperfect oval. Image number two like a parallel track. We can't really refer to it as a long rectangle because the rubber band assumes the curvature of the nail at the two points of attachment.

Now we have words like oval, parallel track, point of attachment, all of which remain predicated on how the nails are positioned in the first place or, to use a more familiar cliché, how we move the goalposts.

How Can the Images Be Interpreted?

This begs the question of who places the nails, the symbols of both crucifixion and the preferred method to not only hang a crucifix on a wall but the majority of two-dimensional art. Nails, it seems, are simply too practical not to be used to hang a religious icon, even by the very method it mourns.

Another way to think about Carson's work is as the misshapen circle and its subsequent stretch into the parallel lines. Neither serves a purpose as such but both intrinsically describe the difference between tension and no tension. When looked at in sequence, this becomes compounded when repeated. Breathe out—breathe in, asleep—awake, at peace—in pain, undercapacity—overcapacity, healthy—ill, or getting ill. We all know stress is a killer. Yet, this is more admired than a state of idleness. We are constantly expected to be active. To be inactive is frowned upon though we already know that a rubber band that is not stretched lasts longer than one that is. The latter state will eventually lead to the breaking point. The weakest molecule of a constantly stressed rubber band will become the weakest link in the chain that can no longer hold the tension. And then it snaps. We actually do better when we both relax and challenge our minds and bodies. Exercise of either makes us stronger but that necessitates relaxation. Not the kind where you go on holiday to do something but the kind when you go on holiday to do nothing. Since this is arguably a waste of a good holiday, Carson may encourage us to do that at home every so often, which is to do nothing. Nothing at all. Try it, this is one of the hardest things to learn and one of the most recuperative and energizing activities, since to be truly inactive would require death. This doing nothing at all requires commitment, discipline, patience, and utter determination by the practitioner, commonly referred to as meditation. If you believe that there is absolutely no way to fit an extra twenty minutes into your life, try to get at least a reasonable amount of sleep.

Conclusion

The proverbial burning of the candle at both ends temporarily provides more lumens but for a much shorter time because the candle has to burn horizontally rather than vertically and thus drips the wax that fuels the wick much faster.

This is the wisdom that Carson is showing us with her rubber bands. She reminds us that a thing that once, long ago, taught you good lessons, may yet have more to teach you, if you are willing to stretch yourself a little.