From a reader

A letter from a reader:

I came upon twin fawns in the display case of a mom and pop toy and science store in Kansas City, Missouri. It took me two years to win the trust of the shop owner and save the money to buy them. A taxidermist spotted a dead deer by the side of the road. He stopped to properly dispose of the body and realized she was pregnant. He opened her and found near full-term twin fawns, he removed and preserved them.

Deer rarely have twins and the taxidermist retained the uterine gesture of their bodies. I built them a vitrine with a light blue base. Their prematurity exaggerates the delicacy of an incredibly sweet thing. The points of their hooves, the length of their lashes, the spots of their hides, nose to small nose in an ur-cartoonish realism ... Viewers' eyes trick them into believing the fawns are breathing. The tragedy of beauty is its transience.

The twins live forever in their own demise. They are sleeping beauties.They have been muses since I first saw them ... We dress death in lilies and bronze the names of our dead sons on walls. We erect altars of toys and hold candlelight vigils to express hope. My twin fawns sleep endlessly on their baby blue block in my studio. The twins never opened their eyes yet their wondrous fatality evokes an acceptable alternative to death.
— Peregrine Honig

Comments

[Maika]

I am absolutely entranced by these twin fawns and the wonderful commentary that was posted along with them. I am so struck by the tenderness and delicacy of their bodies and their pose. At once heartbreaking and yet so exquisite as to be uniquely uplifting and inspiring as well. It seems that they found a wonderful caretaker in Peregrine Honig, which also makes me feel good. Now knowing that they exist, it is good to know that they reside in a place where they are so tenderly and thoughtfully appreciated. I've only just discovered this site and it's remarkable. But I keep returning to these two fawns. . .Thank you for sharing this.

[Frumingelo]

Just like Maika I was seized by the image of the sleeping beauties. The storie of the twins is sad, but gives me a good feeling because the're now in good hands. It's al good in the end, just like in the faerytale of the real sleeping beauty. Thank you for sharing this heartbreaking, Wonderful, tender and delicate story. This makes my day.

greetings,

Frumingelo
http://frumingelo.blogspot.com/

[Leo]

I saw this sculpture when I was at Art Basel and I couldn't believe how amazing they were. The piece is so well taken care of, it feels like they are about to breathe. I am so happy to see them on this site with the text. The words are beautiful.

[Alli Victoria]

This broke my heart. After reading this and witnessing how beautiful they are, I'm absolutely torn between crying and smiling. This is a beautiful story, and I'm so glad that they are in good hands.

Thanks for sharing!

[erik]

thanks alot for sharing this. it made me feel.