Metabolism is a consideration of the consumption of food as fuel, the metaphor of burning calories, and the consuming of biodegradable materials such as cardboard through composting and decomposition, and the effects on both of processed food stuffs. The pressboard that makes up the wax forms and drip, as well as the candle holder base, are all reclaimed frozen pizza boxes. The wick and flame are reclaimed cereal boxes. The central pillar of the candle was made from corrugated cardboard reclaimed from the box of a kitchen butcher block fixture. The wax edge sections and the layers of the flame bring variety to the repetition that is apparent in them and the cut lines of the pillar and the regular edges of the base.

I learned a lot about shaping the cardboard through preliminary trials, a failed first project, and a whole lot more trial and error. It was not an ideal medium for the organic and flowing shapes I wanted to accomplish for the wax flow areas, and I had to resort to more piecing of areas than anticipated. I found it to be a challenging medium, but the symbolism made it worth while.