in your hands
2018 participatory/relational artwork
"in your hands" was devised for and realised on a sunny autumn day at jenny ellerton's fun palace project in hereford, october 2018.
taking the expression and using its literal meaning to demonstrate its metaphorical significance,
"in your hands" consisted of participants being invited to make origami paper boats, writing messages or wishes on them and then carefully transporting them, floating in their water filled cupped hands, to a container about 25 metres away before gently setting them adrift -
taking the expression and using its literal meaning to demonstrate its metaphorical significance,
"in your hands" consisted of participants being invited to make origami paper boats, writing messages or wishes on them and then carefully transporting them, floating in their water filled cupped hands, to a container about 25 metres away before gently setting them adrift -
obvious care was taken by each participant in making their boats and much concentration seen as they not only tried to retain as much water as possible, as it leaked between their fingers, but as they transported them across the path to their destination -
the piece appeared as a 'fun' activity, with an almost fairground or village fete like appeal - it's deeper layers of meaning were purposefully underplayed and not explicitly made apparent |
|
despite this, a few people did quizzically notice that the water used, both in the tank and to fill their hands, was saline, however, no one on the day spoke of the poignancy of what they were doing -
that significance was recognised in the piece was demonstrated by one particularly prescient wish:
"I dream to survive the trouble ahead"
that significance was recognised in the piece was demonstrated by one particularly prescient wish:
"I dream to survive the trouble ahead"