Gordian knots
(from wikipedia) The term “Gordian knot,” commonly used to describe a complex or unsolvable problem,
(from wikipedia) The term “Gordian knot,” commonly used to describe a complex or unsolvable problem,
Alexander the Great arrived, and after trying vainly to untie the knot, he drew his sword and cut it open. Since then, the Gordian Knot has become the symbol of an apparently impossible problem—one perhaps solvable only through bold, creative, and sometimes destructive, action.
The clay coils
It is about the gesture of its making; rolling the coil of clay with both hands, trying to use equal pressure with both hands to make the coil an even thickness and not succeeding even after repeating it over 100 times. The clay is moist, cold and not as malleable as I expected. I want to master it, be in charge of it not allow it to be in charge of me. Who is stronger? Who will yield in this primal struggle to dominate? We come to a compromise, or rather we reach a condition of mutual respect. Each coil varies in thickness and in length. The shape of the knot is determined by how the coil of clay falls and twists. I want the coil to determine how it falls, twists and turns…and creates the knots. I am amazed by how each one is different….even after making over 100..are there infinite varieties or at some point will there be duplicates?
I repeat the same movements: cutting the block of clay with fishing line, scrunching it to form a log-like shape to begin rolling it thinner. Black clay, on my hands, defining my pores and lines on my palm, black under my nails…like playing in mud; my hands, arms and back are tired and my hands are cold. This is hard work, kneading the clay and the paradox of trying to be spontaneous and in control.
"Repetition is fundamentally the insistence of speech." Jacques Lacan.
And what about the repetition? Why keep making the same thing over and over. Because it is never the same…like each day is different. It’s about marking time and the duration of the beginning and end of each clay knot. It’s about accretion, accumulation…how many can I make? How many is enough? Repetition is comforting. Repetition is anxiety (maybe next time will be perfect). Repetition makes each piece unique and anonymous as part of a whole. Repetition says ‘look at me’ but ‘don’t look too closely’. Repetition is a futile attempt to stop change, to stop time even as each millisecond defies the attempt. Repetition is compulsion. Repetition is about loss. Repetition is an act of reparation. Repetition is structure. Repetition is order. Repetition is anxiety about chaos. Repetition is avoidance. Repetition seeks validation.
Repetition is a rhythm. Repetition is a heart beat. Repetition is the music of Philip Glass.
Repetition is soothing.
.
It is about the gesture of its making; rolling the coil of clay with both hands, trying to use equal pressure with both hands to make the coil an even thickness and not succeeding even after repeating it over 100 times. The clay is moist, cold and not as malleable as I expected. I want to master it, be in charge of it not allow it to be in charge of me. Who is stronger? Who will yield in this primal struggle to dominate? We come to a compromise, or rather we reach a condition of mutual respect. Each coil varies in thickness and in length. The shape of the knot is determined by how the coil of clay falls and twists. I want the coil to determine how it falls, twists and turns…and creates the knots. I am amazed by how each one is different….even after making over 100..are there infinite varieties or at some point will there be duplicates?
I repeat the same movements: cutting the block of clay with fishing line, scrunching it to form a log-like shape to begin rolling it thinner. Black clay, on my hands, defining my pores and lines on my palm, black under my nails…like playing in mud; my hands, arms and back are tired and my hands are cold. This is hard work, kneading the clay and the paradox of trying to be spontaneous and in control.
"Repetition is fundamentally the insistence of speech." Jacques Lacan.
And what about the repetition? Why keep making the same thing over and over. Because it is never the same…like each day is different. It’s about marking time and the duration of the beginning and end of each clay knot. It’s about accretion, accumulation…how many can I make? How many is enough? Repetition is comforting. Repetition is anxiety (maybe next time will be perfect). Repetition makes each piece unique and anonymous as part of a whole. Repetition says ‘look at me’ but ‘don’t look too closely’. Repetition is a futile attempt to stop change, to stop time even as each millisecond defies the attempt. Repetition is compulsion. Repetition is about loss. Repetition is an act of reparation. Repetition is structure. Repetition is order. Repetition is anxiety about chaos. Repetition is avoidance. Repetition seeks validation.
Repetition is a rhythm. Repetition is a heart beat. Repetition is the music of Philip Glass.
Repetition is soothing.
.
The Knots…
tied in knots, tying the knot, a knotty problem, my stomach is in knots, a nautical mile
The ceramic pieces are not quite knots. Can they be considered knots? Even though they are not like knotting fabric or hair or rope or other twistable materials like shoelaces.
But they are a metaphor for knotty problems and situations like my fraudster brother or other difficult relationships like marital discord, sibling rivalry, The Israeli/Hamas war, Ukraine and on and on.
tied in knots, tying the knot, a knotty problem, my stomach is in knots, a nautical mile
The ceramic pieces are not quite knots. Can they be considered knots? Even though they are not like knotting fabric or hair or rope or other twistable materials like shoelaces.
But they are a metaphor for knotty problems and situations like my fraudster brother or other difficult relationships like marital discord, sibling rivalry, The Israeli/Hamas war, Ukraine and on and on.
