Modern Fossils Discovered

Four unique fossils were discovered today in the heart of San Francisco. Although they looked like they had been buried for centuries, they bore a strong resemblance to items from the recent past. And a more careful investigation revealed that these "modern fossils" were actually surrealist sculptures, reflecting our technological flux.

            SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. -- July 22, 2002 -- Four unique fossils were discovered today in the heart of San Francisco. Although they looked like they had been buried for centuries, they bore a strong resemblance to items from the recent past. And a more careful investigation revealed that these "modern fossils" were actually surrealist sculptures, reflecting the rapid pace of technology.

The fossils, which appear to be formed from very old stone, closely resemble certain consumer electronics products, such as a personal digital assistant, calculator, remote control and camera. The artist, Bill Freund, said he had multiple objectives. "I wanted to reflect our constant craving for the 'new and improved' and to prompt people to wonder what else future archeologists will uncover from our time, especially as products become increasingly intangible."

Freund was inspired to produce his art while working as a Silicon Valley executive. His company's primary focus was to help corporations develop new products faster and he had a chance to witness first-hand the rapid compression of product lifecycles. Freund, a Harvard MBA, remarks that "some clients were making products that had life expectancies that were shorter than their development cycles, and their products were practically obsolete the moment they rolled off the assembly line."

As Freund chisels each piece, he reflects on the ironies surrounding his artwork. He thinks about how his handmade approach resembles early tool making, how complex the original products were with their electronic circuitry, and how large the factories must have been that mass-produced them. The most recent irony on his mind, however, is that he is already receiving requests for additional fossils. "The craving for the 'new and improved' continues," quips Freund.

            Having displayed his fossils in his own home and office, Freund knows they make great conversation pieces, but he also believes they will make great investments. Although you typically would not seek investment advice from your artist, when they have an MBA, you have to think twice. The price of each fossil is $250 and they can be purchased separately or as a set. For more information, visit www.modernfossils.com.

- E N D -

To view this page in HTML with photos, please visit: www.modernfossils.com/pressrelease1.html