DIVINING FOR PRACTICE

The supernatural and pseudoscientific fields are odd. they concern themselves with monsters, ghosts and for some inexplicable reason the ability to find water using bent metal rods. That being said, they are also incredibly important. Having existed long before organised religion, supernaturalism fueled its proliferation with reappropriated themes, stories and characters.

Locating myself within this area already rife with discourse I was afforded the diplomatic immunity of agnosticism. From here, I could observe pre-existing objects and processes taking particular note of the odd, for that which isn’t ‘deserving’ of supernatural status can be more readily adopted and adapted. There was methodology here after all: the adoption of an observed three-dimensional dialect and thereafter its use to craft objects which facilitate corpo-spiritual experience- the synthesis of a Corporeal Affordance.

A Wayfinder in bone and metal (makeshift photo studio)

A Wayfinder in bone and metal (makeshift photo studio)

Exhibition at St James Hatcham Church, New Cross

Exhibition at St James Hatcham Church, New Cross

The objects which emerged respected the relevant supernatural principles. Divining rods crafted from bones washed up on Greenwich ‘beech’ and silicon bronze brazing rods came first. Next came Earthenware Echo Chambers, thrown on the wheel before being adorned with spouts to draw in lips and their whispers. Both were wayfinders, used in the everyday to make meaningless decisions but their dual purpose was delve into my own past projects and divine for a thread of practice.

As proof of concept, proof that my objects emanated that otherworldly aura I took them to a car-boot sale the home of the odd. With a quick barter and the exchange of a £5 note for a bone hewn Wayfinder, the project concluded. A success and proof, if of nothing else, that ‘gallery based artwork‘ doesn’t always cost the earth.

Car-boot sale

Car-boot sale

My wares

My wares

That lucky customer

That lucky customer

This was my first knowing foray into Corporeal Affordance and leads directly on from the deluge of text that is DEFINING CORPO-SPIRITUALISM, so if you want more context/ babble, thats where to find it.