Crates, with all their stoicism, conjure up in me a great sense of mystery. The overall shape, size, weight, and insurance value are all clues to the mystery. Some crates have a window for inspection. The mundane crate can begin to take on emotional weight and wonder. The shattered glass in this piece reminds us of the destruction of civilizations and the value of world unity. The use of the shards adds a sense of movement of ideas across space and time—joining the past to the present and reminding us that what is important is not always obvious.
