Lot's daughters
2009
5" x 8.5" x .75"
lasercut MDF

what happens when an image repeats in unexpected places and surfaces?

MDF (medium-density fiberboard) is an engineered wood made of wood fibers. It used extensively in construction. If not sealed well, it swells and breaks when waterlogged.

"Formaldehyde resins are commonly used to bind MDF together, and testing has consistently revealed that MDF products emit urea formaldehyde and other volatile organic compounds that pose health risks at sufficient concentrations, for at least several months after manufacture.[4] Urea formaldehyde is always being slowly released from the surface of MDF. When painting it is good idea to coat the whole of the product in order to seal in the urea formaldehyde. Wax and oil finishes may be used as finishes but they are less effective at sealing in the urea formaldehyde.[5]

Whether these chronic emissions of formaldehyde reach harmful levels in real-world environments is not yet fully determined. The primary concern is for the industries using formaldehyde. As far back as 1987 the U.S. EPA classified it as a probable human carcinogen and after more studies the WHO International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), in 1995, also classified it as a probable human carcinogen. Further information and evaluation of all known data led the IARC to reclassify formaldehyde as a known human carcinogen [6] associated with nasal sinus cancer and nasopharyngeal cancer, and possibly with leukemia in June 2004[7]."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medium-density_fibreboard#Safety_aspects_of_MDF