After visiting Gloucester Cathedral I managed to get hold of a few empty tealights that were used a sprayer/votive candles. I had originally thought about using the aluminium casing to be melted down and cast into words or phrases but I will need to wait to be back at uni to do this if it is possible. For the time being I have cast them in burnt candle wax, dripping the black wax drop by drop into the cases. I'm not entirely sure what this is supposed to represent apart from drawing attention to the candle as an emblem. The darkness is almost a reverse of the 'light of the world' symbol as well, although that has far too negative and anti-religious connotations that I have no interest in.
Conceptually it would probably be better if I used a different material other than wax that was more neutral, which would highlight the space where a prayer once was before it burnt away. I'm interested in the prayer, or feeling of hope that the candle represents as a physical thing. However after a few initial experiments and some thought i am very wary of using too may religious connotations lest it becomes a little twee...mentioning anything to do with prayers or hope sounds far too spiritual for me... I need to find something that symbolizes these things without having connotations that will be offputting.
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