Mirror of Ink
2010
Song Dynasty (960–1279) 'Hare's Fur' ceramic bowl; ink; wooden table
This work combines my interest in Chinese aesthetics and the occult practice of scrying, by which spiritual visions — of the past, present, or future — are observed in a medium, whether obsidian, water, or ink, an activity that has been noted in many varied cultures. In this new work, a small Chinese ‘Hare's Fur’ bowl from the Song Dynasty (960–1279) is placed before the large window of the gallery, looking out onto the landscape beyond; into this is placed a freshly ground solution of Chinese ink, thereby creating a black reflective surface much as might be used for observing psychic visions.
Installation view: HICA (Highland Institute for Contemporary Art), Loch Ruthven, Inverness-shire 2010
2010
Song Dynasty (960–1279) 'Hare's Fur' ceramic bowl; ink; wooden table
This work combines my interest in Chinese aesthetics and the occult practice of scrying, by which spiritual visions — of the past, present, or future — are observed in a medium, whether obsidian, water, or ink, an activity that has been noted in many varied cultures. In this new work, a small Chinese ‘Hare's Fur’ bowl from the Song Dynasty (960–1279) is placed before the large window of the gallery, looking out onto the landscape beyond; into this is placed a freshly ground solution of Chinese ink, thereby creating a black reflective surface much as might be used for observing psychic visions.
Installation view: HICA (Highland Institute for Contemporary Art), Loch Ruthven, Inverness-shire 2010
