A robust nickel-plated steel exoskeleton shields at its core an organic element, crafted from electroplated volcanic rock from Mexico. The use of volcanic rock as a material reflects a fascination with the most primal substances, as it originates deep in the Earth. This choice also evokes the specificity of Mexico’s geology, where Mao is based, and its association with the Ring of Fire, where volcanic activity is prevalent. Evoking a torture device through its sharp studs, the sculpture presents a transformative process through electroplating, which confers a futuristic quality upon this otherwise raw natural material. Contained within this compact box form, the amalgamation of the natural-ancient and the artificial-futuristic invites viewers to contemplate a linear timeline of materials, echoing the journey from the Earth's core to the artifice of technology.