Library of Dust

I can believe I hadn't stumbled upon this earlier, especially with all the work the twentyten spent researching asylums for our Spring 2011 collection. Above is a selection of photographs from photographer David Maisel's series called Library of Dust. Each copper can contains the cremated remains of a patient that died at the Oregon State Insane Asylum from 1883 to the 1970's. Each can has been neglected becoming exposed to the elements causing mineral deposits to form from the interactions of moisture with the copper and lead of the cans and the calcium deposits from the remains inside. The real beauty of these images isn't from Maisel's photographic skills but from the subjects and Maisel's documentary approach to the project.