Becca Kacanda
August 12th, 2025
✳ What found objects do you incorporate into your work? Do you alter the found objects in your work, or do you present them as they are?
The found objects I use are pretty varied but mostly based on capturing some pretty nuanced vibes that are based on my interests. Things that are either truly vintage or from the bargain bin at thrift and craft stores are generally what I’m after- the more nostalgic or unusual, the better. I like objects that are colorful or neon and seem to be from the 80s and 90s (my early childhood) such as slices of polymer clay canes with fun designs, animal beads, or pieces of jewelry, figurines, and charms, as well as objects that are reminiscent of archaeological artifacts (even if in an ersatz way) such as old tarnished coins or talismans, milagros, or drops of soldered lead. I’m also into more natural objects from the earth- shells, stones, mother of pearl, coral… things of that nature. I love it when objects are authentically what they present themselves to be, i.e a real old coin, genuine pearls… but sometimes, the fake versions of these objects can be humorous, and if they pass the vibe check I’ll include them. I rarely alter the objects beyond slight modifications such as cutting off a piece of wire or sanding down something sharp. Keeping them as they are, so that it feels like a collection of found things, is what I’m after. I think it’s sort of funny to include things that are genuinely real and also obviously fake alongside each other. It’s sort of a subtle commentary on authenticity vs. the modern world in a mass-produced commodity culture and how they influence each other. However, I’m sometimes tempted to include things that might be really valuable or rare and always hesitate where to draw the line.
✳ If you could find and work with any lost or discarded object from history, what would it be?
This question is so good and I’ve been tossing it around in my mind for a while now. In my fantasy world, I would work with holy Catholic relics, shards of the vessels that held the dead sea scrolls, fossilized food found in the stomachs of ancient dead bodies, and hardened bubble gum that’s been stuck to the streets of New York City. To be clear I would never actually do this- except maybe the bubble gum if ever possible - it’s a fantasy. The latter two categories are interesting because modern DNA technology can tell us a lot about the people who ate the food (and what they ate) and information about the people who spit out the gum. It’s so nuts. So there’s a lot of info literally contained in those objects which makes them valuable despite how gross they are.
My more realistic version of this question would be just to collect random handmade or manufactured objects that people have, for example forgotten under floor boards in old houses or just donated to thrift stores…maybe things that are slightly more historically significant than what I typically work with.
✳ Do you remember the first found object you incorporated into your work?
Old miniature tiles that came in a ton of crazy colors and finishes. They were made in Japan I think and my friend's mom donated a TON to me. It was a jackpot! I still have so many.
