zero representation.
simply geometry, colour, patterns, motifs.
direction, intention, ritual, repetition, routine, discipline, order.
visual and tactile support, accessory, necessity.
the tangible subordinate to the ineffable.
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tangible /// ineffable
April 21, 2010 by katekearapelen
Suddenly prayer rugs in amongst the science. Intriguing, what was the lead to this? You been visiting the Imperial mosque? The way things break down or become ordered at a microscopic level is incredible. In my head it links in well with the order of the rugs…
My position here, based within the ecumenical / interfaith chaplaincy of a scientific community, seems to be very much about negotiating the languages and processes involved in both the spiritual and the scientific disciplines… It’s trying to find a new visual vocabulary that speaks of and to both, familiar yet special – elevated and elevating, if you like.
There is a common thread, something about repetition, perseverance, routine, commitment, dedication.
The issue of representation within Islam is one that has come up while walking and talking on campus. As someone working with very tactile materials – thread, fabric, wood… the logical move for me was to take a look at the prayer rugs used in daily worship – devoid of figurative or literal representation, but beautifullly conceived in terms of colour and pattern. In sequencing them as permutations or variations on a theme, they gain a second level of pattern / motif / in addition the one inherent in their individual designs… This obviously appeals to the serial / sequential maker in me… The rugs I’ve been looking at also start to define a colour palette and geometrical element pretty much absent in my work to date.
A conversation emerges between chaos and order, random events and planned ones, routine action and spontaneity, inspiration / perspiration… parallels seem to multiply in this place, it’s great.