Charon

Charon, 2011 

At Burning Man 2011, Peter Hudson debuted Charon, a three-dimensional stroboscopic zoetrope commemorating one of the great rites of human passage.

Based in Greek mythology, this visually-arresting piece physically engages people in a vigorous genuflection of sorts which bring life to Charon, the gondolier to the afterlife. Charon engages them to reflect on their own mortality, and ponder how to give and get the most from their brief time here on earth. The artist’s intention is that they will not dwell on their ultimate demise, but to instead ponder how they might make their own lives richer and more meaningful. Recent losses in the artist’s life gave him reason to consider the piece a final farewell and bon voyage to those who are cherished, gone but not forgotten.