Core77

This Just In-box: Dirt from every state by H. Mathis of ANTI©SUCCESS

By Core Jr - March 17, 2009

in Object Culture

THE DIRT designed by H. Mathis. LINK

"Using Craigslist, I posed a listing in every state. Each had to be unique.

The Craigslist post read that I was working on an art project. (oh man, do people love that) I explained that I created a dirt retrieval system to get the dirt back to me, postage paid. They simply had to go into their backyard, collect it, and throw it in the mail. Due to postage each kit cost me around 10 dollars. I ended up sending out over 100 kits to receive the 52 state total.

I unexpectedly learned many many things from this collection. The massive differences in soil from each state, the stories told from each individual sending the dirt in, oh...and the dirt from Hawaii is cursed..."

Check out all 50 states, and their dirt after the jump.

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soelo

15 years ago

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Nice, I had to hunt down Minnesota since it doesn't look the way I'd expect. I wonder what the bases are made from.
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Julie

15 years ago

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I noticed that you included Long Island in the NY bit of dirt and every island from Hawaii however MA's islands are conspicuously missing. Do you have something against Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket? Sincerely, A Masshole who wants some representation lol
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Karen

15 years ago

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Very cool but I think you have NJ facing the wrong way. (Can't see Cape May.)
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Melissa

15 years ago

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I love this. I am fascinated by soil. I'm not understanding Florida's, though. It's almost white. Where did that come from, specifically?
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GoingLikeSixty

15 years ago

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But Mr. Picasso, people have two eyes!
But Sr. Dali, watches can't droop!

hee. love art critics.
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Christy

15 years ago

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Very cool.
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Shantessa Knutson

15 years ago

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Wow that is amazing!!! i think i just may blog it tomorrow! great job VERY interesting
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Zach

15 years ago

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Cool project... But there are only 50 states. DC and Puerto Rico aren't states.
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Ruth

15 years ago

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Okay, maybe it's been a long time since my geography classes in school--but there are only 50 states in the US. There are 48 contiguous (connected in a single land mass) and 2 not connected, with some protectorates. I'm not too sure on what those are since things have changed in the 30 years since I was in school, but I know Puerto Rico is one of them. Can you explain this a little?
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George

15 years ago

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Puerto Rico is not a state. Aside from that, cool.
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