SCAD MOA-deFINE ART

A really interesting piece by Xu Bing called '1st Class'.  His exhibit, called Things Are Not What They First Appear, is part of the deFINE ART 2015 program at SCAD Museum of Art through July 1st 2015.

It looks like a tiger skin rug from a distance.

Upon closer examination you see it is made of cigarettes.

This is the equivalent of 68 years of a pack a day habit.

It completely changes color from different angles.

The tobacco gives the room a distinct smell as well.

This was my favorite angle, where you can see some of both. 

This made me think of 'paper tiger' because of the cigarette paper.  Probably not what he was going for as a paper tiger is something that is supposed to look dangerous but really is not.  This is the opposite of what I would say about cigarettes.  But that's what popped into my head.  Also this apparently took the better part of a week to install.  Some sections are glued together but they are all loose around the edges.