Beth Lipman's three-dimensional still life was inspired by the “vanitas” painting tradition of the seventeenth century, in which groupings of luxurious objects offered a commentary on the transience of all human life and material possessions. The artist's monochromatic black palette evokes the rituals of funerals and mourning, and several elements, including the hourglass, snuffed candles, and shedding flowers, are traditional symbols for the passage of time.

This compelling sculpture, which mingles desire with revulsion, draws a pointed parallel between the extravagance of Europe's Baroque Golden Age and the excesses of our own era. The glossy black surfaces of the objects, which include a dead bird, evoke oil spills and point to the dangers of overconsumption. Lipman's glass may also depict a failed parlor trick: a tablecloth is pulled out from under the tabletop objects, resulting not in their staying perfectly put, but rather in their downfall—a collapse that recalls the fragile nature of all economic bubbles.