Eggs bring life. Grenades bring death. These Fabergé grenades reveal their uncanny similarity
"The idea behind art for me is that it's provocative enough that it stops you and you want to look."
A grenade is a powerful symbol of destruction, and even a decommissioned one suggests violence. That's what Toronto artist Dave Krovblit noticed when he ended up with one lying around his studio. He found himself uncomfortable with the weapon. But when he thought out its uncanny resemblance to a life-giving egg, the artist's fascination sparked a three-year-long (and still going) art project.
Watch the video:
In this video made by filmmaker March Mercanti, Krovblit opens up about why he became obsessed with photographing grenades and morphing the results into images of decadent and menacing Fabergé-inspired eggs. If you're not familiar with Fabergé, here's a little primer: the intricate ornaments, which originated in nineteenth-century Russia, are still a symbol of affluence (they're coveted and worth more millions of dollars than anybody likes to think about).
A grenade is so volatile and destructive; you wouldn't want to hold it. a Fabergé egg is so beautiful and delicate and priceless; you wouldn't want to hold it!- Dave Krovblit
You'll also find out how Krovblit's grenade-egg photographs ended up being an essential ingredient of an award-winning American PSA campaign to end opioid abuse.
Follow Dave Krovblit here. And you can see his work at the 57th Toronto Outdoor Art Fair, July 6-8. See more of his Fabergé grenades below:
Watch CBC Arts: Exhibitionists online or on CBC Television. Tune in Friday nights at 11:30pm (12am NT) and Sundays at 3:30pm (4pm NT).
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