Crossings Then and Now

Crossings Then and Now contrasts the practical realities of modern travel with the timeless hopes, uncertainties, and longing that have accompanied journeys throughout history.

Mixed Media Assemblage

16 x 18 x 4 inches | Custom Framed

2026

Inspired by Charles Baudelaire’s poem Le Voyage, Crossings Then and Now explores how travel has changed—and how it has remained remarkably constant—over millennia.

Miniatures of The Iliad and The Odyssey and a crystal ball reference ancient travel, when storms, monsters, and the whims of the gods shaped every voyage. Today’s travelers navigate airports rather than open seas, presenting passports, visas, and boarding passes.

By placing ancient literature alongside the familiar artifacts of contemporary travel, Crossings Then and Now suggests that while technologies evolve and routes become more predictable, the emotional experience of leaving home, venturing into the unknown, and seeking connection remains profoundly human. The journey itself may look different, but the desire to explore—and to find one’s way home—endures.

Materials: Vintage stamps, dollhouse miniatures, wood, paper

Framing: Custom wood frame with museum glass in a gold wooden frame, produced in collaboration with Chevy Chase Art Gallery, Washington, DC.