The 11th Hour — A 4-Foot Study in Radical Presence

The 11th Hour — A 4-Foot Study in Radical Presence

$12,542.93

From the 11th Hour to Full Bloom

There are moments when the world asks us to be smaller. We experienced this during a case where an 11th-hour intervention from an outside party sought to claim control over months of our dedicated, personal work. In that friction, we didn't shrink—we evolved.

We realized that "the show" is not a mask; it is a natural imperative. This table is a one-month meditation on the choice to be more of yourself, not less. While the world encourages a "bureaucratization of the spirit," this piece is a declaration for the "small crew" who understands that to live a creative life, we must lose our fear of being extraordinary.1

 

The Evolutionary Irony: Beauty as a Burden

The peacock's train is one of nature’s greatest ironies. Charles Darwin famously remarked that the sight of a peacock feather made him "sick" because it seemed to defy his laws of survival.13 The train is heavy, energy-intensive, and a literal challenge to the bird’s ability to evade predators.

Yet, it evolved through what biologists call the "Handicap Principle." The train's very burden is what makes it a reliable signal of quality; only a truly healthy and vigorous creature can survive while carrying such a magnificent weight. This table represents that same "costly signal." It is 160 hours of meticulous, un-faked labor—a heavy, beautiful glory that refuses to be ignored.

 

The Craftsmanship: A Museum-Quality Installation

Visible in the vibrant blues and teals of the central figure, this 48-inch round table top (covering approx. 12.57 square feet) is a masterclass in "Curated Maximalism."

  • Andamento & Flow: Every hand-cut tessera follows a deliberate "Opus Musivum" flow, radiating outward to create a "vividness" that shifts as you move around the piece.

  • Symbolic Materials: The central peacock utilizes "Transformative Teal"—the signature 2026 color of restoration—composed of iridescent vitreous glass and deep cobalt Venetian Smalti.

  • Structural Detail: The design replicates the densest form of packing found in nature—a zigzag follicle arrangement that provides a perfectly symmetrical visual field.

  • Versatile Design: Engineered as a table top, this piece is designed for architectural versatility. It can anchor a space at coffee table height, standard dining height, or elevated bar height depending on your pedestal choice.

Technical Specifications:

  • Dimensions: 48" Diameter (4 Feet).

  • Materials: Venetian Smalti, Iridescent Vitreous Glass, Gold-leaf tile accents.

  • Labor Intensity: Hand-crafted over 1 month (160+ hours).

  • Finish: Intentional hand-laid texture. We have preserved the raw, archival integrity of the tiles; no epoxy is used, allowing the glass to refract light naturally for generations.

  • Maker: FlyingSquirrels.art (Robbin Farrell, Darlene Norton & Collaborative).

"I presume I take up a great deal of room; but of course you must see it is necessary, as my feathers are all in full bloom."

 
The 11th Hour — A 4-Foot Study in Radical Presence
  • The 11th Hour — A 4-Foot Study in Radical Presence
  • The 11th Hour — A 4-Foot Study in Radical Presence
  • The 11th Hour — A 4-Foot Study in Radical Presence
  • The 11th Hour — A 4-Foot Study in Radical Presence
  • The 11th Hour — A 4-Foot Study in Radical Presence
  • The 11th Hour — A 4-Foot Study in Radical Presence
  • The 11th Hour — A 4-Foot Study in Radical Presence
  • The 11th Hour — A 4-Foot Study in Radical Presence
  • The 11th Hour — A 4-Foot Study in Radical Presence
  • The 11th Hour — A 4-Foot Study in Radical Presence
  • The 11th Hour — A 4-Foot Study in Radical Presence
  • The 11th Hour — A 4-Foot Study in Radical Presence

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