We have stumbled into the 21st Century with the advanced technologies of "Star Wars" and the emotional maturity of cavemen. If we can't find more creative solutions to solving worldwide social and political problems than sending young men and women to shred and incinerate one another's flesh with weapons of ever increasing efficiency, we will not survive to celebrate the passage into the 22nd century. And to make a dangerous situation worse, too many of our fragile planet's nations are now in the hands of ideological thugs and fundamentalist tyrants who are fumbling the planet towards World War III.

The pieces in the "Heart Teapot" series explore the origins of conflict in human culture -- both the collective conflicts between various nations, ethnic groups, religions, etc., and those inherent in relationships between individuals. The seeds of all conflict are to be found in each human heart. Such pieces as "Heart Teapot: Hiroshima", "Heart Teapot: Beirut", and "Heart Teapot: Salvador" were created to commemorate specific instances of the human species' dark side, but the message of each piece is intended to outlive its respective moment in history. The current pieces in the "Heart Teapot" series reflect on the metamorphosis from our individual human vulnerabilities and frailities into a collective tolerance and capitulation to a culture of military power and its ever more efficient death machines.

The spirit and power of art are exemplified by a work of art's ability to transcend time and cultural boundaries. It is not the objects created which are of prime importance, but the lives of people who may be touched in significant ways.

--Richard Notkin, 2009