My dog, Tyler Foote, and I made ten DANK Koans for the DANK Inaugural. Five are left and available to purchase for $20 each.
A koan is a paradoxical anecdote or riddle used to train Zen Buddhist monks to abandon dependence on reason and achieve sudden intuitive enlightenment: from the Japanese kōan, kō (public) + an (proposition).
You probably know the koan, "Two hands clap and there is a sound; what is the sound of one hand?" attributed to Master Hakuin Ekaku (1686-1769).
The DANK Koans are three dimensional objects on which to meditate and gain enlightenment.
Each box holds an environmental object found by Tyler Foote. They are wrapped in pages of the book Essentials in American History written in 1905 by Albert Bushnell Hart.
I envisioned one experiencing the DANK Koans by ripping them open like a fortune cookie to contemplate what's inside. But fellow DANK artist, Kathy Frey, the first person to purchase one, told me she intends to keep hers intact and meditate on the unknowable inside.
Whoa.
That's awesome.
At the DANK opening, someone stole one. I thought it was appropriate in a offensive, counterintuitive way.
Another Koan holder wants to keep hers intact for a while, in reserve for a day or moment when insight is needed, and then open it.
My dad said he would never open one. He saves things. My mom, like me, would open hers immediately. We're curious. But I am my father's daughter and I see his point too. They do look pretty. Why muck things up pondering questions with no answers?
Here is a sneak peek of one...I hope it doesn't ruin it for you...
Tyler Foote and I would be happy to pick one out for you...
DANK Koans are $20 each.
Shipping $5.95 in the US. $15.00 internationally.
Puchase via PayPal here...