Philly-based artist wants your toenail clippings. Here's why

As an artist, Clarence Philbrick is used to working with various mediums. Toenails, however? Well, that's a new one.

The premise? A full-scale World Cup replica trophy meant to be a social commentary on the labor behind the modern-day entertainment events we enjoy, Philbrick, 39, said.

The Philadelphia-based artist has put out a call on social media for people to send him their nail clippings (fingernails work too) for a FIFA-related project he hopes to have completed by the time the summer games hit Philly — June 11 is a goal date, but "definitely during the World Cup," Philbrick said.

He was inspired by the reports of migrant worker deaths during preparations for the World Cup in Qatar. What struck him was "just this idea of ... labor," he said, more specifically, using "nails as this, like, ledger of labor."

And what better timing than the World Cup coming to Philadelphia.

Philbrick said that the participatory project, a literal collection of pieces of other individuals, will "embody a coming together," in addition to challenging the way we view labor, its place in the world, and the ways in which global empires are "buoyed by labor, unseen labor, unpaid labor, extracted labor."

The artist, who has lived in the Philly area for the last 12 years and often uses sports as a "catalyst to have bigger conversations," has already received contributions from across the world, including Canada, Ecuador and Nicaragua, he said.

He's also planning an in-person opportunity for people to participate, donate their clippings and learn more about the piece on Saturday, April 11 from noon to 3 p.m. on the north lawn of Rittenhouse Square.

He'll have nail clippers "and probably some hand sanitizer," Philbrick joked.

Other than "eat the rich," Philbrick said he hopes that participants and eventual viewers of the project and art piece will not only take away the understanding that "there's so many problems and challenges in the world. Like horrible, horrible atrocities, and so much of it ends up just being supported by labor," but find opportunities for conversation, critique and the chance to "envision the world we want to have" with new societal norms.

Those interested in mailing their contributions can send clean nail clippings ("don't send me yo stank," Philbrick wrote on his Instagram post calling for submissions) to PO Box 18017, Philadelphia, PA 19147-9998.

Kaitlyn McCormick is a Philadelphia-based reporter writing all things trending, breaking and city-related for USA TODAY's Philadelphia Metro Connect Team.