Carey Young

Is it possible to own dark matter? Missing Mass presents a simple cube of 18 inches square. Inside we are told are 5,461 particles of dark matter, based on the best estimates of modern physics. By including a legal disclaimer as part of the work, Young suggests that dark matter particles are the only truly free entities in existence, since they can pass through any material on the planet. This piece requires the audience to play a critical part - do they agree with the disclaimer or not? If they were to purchase this artwork what exactly would they own? And either way, is there a want or need to own dark matter - something that we as yet do not fully understand?

Image credit: Missing Mass (detail on right) © Carey Young. Courtesy of Paula Cooper Gallery, New York. Photo: Thierry Bal

Click here to go back to exhibition