THE GIFT was a public art performance which took place in Victoria B.C. Canada on September 17, 2005. THE GIFT was created by Fran Benton as the final cycle of three works. The other works were TEETH AND CLAWS and ABANDONMENT. TEETH AND CLAWS was the origin of this work. It started when Fran Benton decided to make 5000 teeth and claws as an installation art project. This project referred to the idea of art collections, especially the collections of the early Victorian naturalists. These objects were made from ceramic and glazed or surface treated. Some of them looked very old, others looked quite new. They were made in sets so that there were a collection. The early teeth were based on the kinds of shapes and forms that occur in the animal world. The sizes were allowed to vary considerably from the original animal form. As the collection grew, more artistic license was taken with the shapes and forms.
When TEETH AND CLAWS was complete and installed it became obvious the piece did not work. It was reconfigured as a wall piece with similar results. The project was set aside for a few months to get redefined. Sometimes art projects veer off from their original course and become much more interesting. This project"s purpose was not to be a static gallery piece. It became obvious that this project was created to be owned by other people. At that time it was renamed ABANDONMENT.
ABANDONMENT was conceived as a process rather than an art piece. The teeth and claws now needed to have new homes and the creative part of the work became how to find new interesting challenging homes for them. They were abandoned in numerous places and ways over a period of 6 months.
The final action in this work was THE GIFT. After Abandonment there were still many many teeth and claws remaining. On September 17, 2005, Fran Benton and filmmaker Grace Salez rode a pedicab through the streets of Victoria and gave away the teeth and claws. This was done because Fran wished to do something which would spark the imagination of the public. By presenting the teeth and claws to people on the streets they were asked to reclaim these objects as gifts. At each stop Fran would offer the teeth and claws to the public. After the objects were selected she wrapped them in tissue and placed them in a shopping bag. Each gift was accompanied by a PAMPHLET describing the process of the project. Grace Salez VIDEOTAPED the event.