Dice

2024
5x5x250cm
Bituminous coal, aluminium foil

The dice trace back to an ancient game called Knucklebones, where goat or sheep bones were weighted with lead and tossed onto the ground. In the 1st century in the Roman Empire, these bones began to take on a cubic shape. However, in many parts of the world, people still use animal bones to play this game.

Since the bones of vertebrates do not decompose but instead become embedded in the Earth’s crust, remains of ancient creatures are often uncovered during mining, making some of the most fascinating discoveries a by-product of resource extraction. Archaeologists, paleontologists, and miners all share an interest in digging, though for different reasons.

The work explores what we treasure, along with themes of time, chance, and the game of life we all play—one with a definite outcome.