Text replaces image and words form material presence in many of these works. In Brace yourself a quote from “The Book of Job” is burned onto the surface of three plywood tablets. The oak timber of WHO lies on the floor like a casket, or sarcophagus. The words carved in relief on its top refer to the Christian mystery of an incarnate God. But its purpose is not religious. “I am a” (Buffalo) includes forty-nine hand-painted signs arranged in a grid where a “Bowl of Potatoes,” “President McKinley” and “The Temple of Music” each occupy an equivalent physical and imaginative space. The painted surfaces of Mrs. Peter name characters from “The Tales of Peter Rabbit.” Other pieces in the exhibit invoke a social transaction or political contract. covenant is a rusted steel ballot box and table. measure is an oversized silver begging cup engraved with “please” on the outside and “thank you” on the inside. These are social sculptures. MICHAEL MERCIL Related articles and writings Davis, Lisa. “From the Mouths of Artists: Mercil, Hamilton Exhibit Works . . .” Grand Forks Herald (15 August 2003) p. 3C. Reuter, Laurel and Robert Silberman. Increase: Ann Hamilton/Michael Mercil (exhibition catalog) 2005. Grand Forks. North Dakota Museum of Art. Simon, Joan. Ann Hamilton: An Inventory of Objects. 2006. New York. Gregory R. Miller & Company. pp. 238-239 ARTWORK