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The Hull, The Bodice
Calculate latitude between a pair of bodies fastened together by lacing. A buoyant force equals weight of displaced fluid Archimedes’ principle. Structural strength, watertight. Afloat, a tall ship, certain. This, such soft stuff-- hair, yarn and brown paper ‘neath a copper sheath, defending Dress, a fitted portion at the waist a variety of coatings, trustworthy darts into one dart to align, unlike the mariner’s compass, variable. I count the number of knots measuring sextant, angles between horizon and Sun, Moon, or stars while we sail this New Age. Watching the skirt-sail furl Watching the direction wind blows across soft water and hidden depths. — A. Flowers |
The Hull, The Bodice
610 x 610 Mixed Media - Paint, dress patterns, graphite, charcoal, metallic foil This was an interesting piece to make, inspired by a laundry copper which my parents acquired when they were young. I connected: the laundry copper > clothing > corset bodice > rib cage > boat hull structure > historical use of copper as a protective cladding. You can see a sextant used for navigation on the bottom right. The ships’ sail filled by winds, and bordered by meteorological symbols for rain showers (slight) and fresh breezes. There are two lines extending down from the bodice’s shoulder, these are Cuneform for ‘TAB’ meaning to double, repeat, companion, partner, or friend. I wanted to include something as a nod to both the boat hull and bodice being connected. The blue references ‘Egyptian Blue’ an artificial lapis colour made from a mix of copper, silica, lime, and an alkali. I have also used cuneiform-inspired script (ancient Sumerian language) ‘words’ for wood + boat along the ships hull. Sumerian’s we’re some of the earliest people to use copper for useful items. They also made art with copper. |