Cutest Stress Ball Ever

Artist unknown, ca. 2018-2020

Foam and acrylic paint

Dimensions variable

Prize from claw machine at the Lindsay Fair

Personal collection

This object came into my personal collection through one of the most ‘ephemeral’ ways - as a trinket I never expected to win. The cheaply made item made for the purpose of the town fair has come to represent a wealth of memories and family traditions. The aesthetic of the item can be attributed to associations of the cute and sweet, taking the form of a pink puppy - in stark contrast to its function;as a stress ball for squishing. I included this item as an object of the museum because of the transient nature in which the item came into my own personal collection. It has been used, squeezed and squished while working through stressful times as a result of school, working at the same time as taking classes, or just sheer insecurity. I am drawn to soft things such as pillows and blankets as a source of comfort and safety, and this stress ball became a natural focus for my negative energies.

These special items, stress balls, can be something passive that people fidget with in times of stress or even just to keep hands busy, but it can also become a crutch to get through the thick of things. While I have been personally using this squeeze toy through my university career, I feel that sharing this item with the audience and the exhibit offers catharsis and coincides with the end of my university career. With all the instability in the world, we need to find the little things that can help keep us grounded. Having an item which can hold all the nervous or uncertainty that you feel can be a great comfort. By sharing this item which had been such a comfort for me, I hope that the audience will feel a connection. We are all struggling and attempting to maintain normalcy, while knowing that everyone around us is going through the same experience. In this uncharted territory, we know our personal items become even more important.

Rachel Kraus