Barry Schwartz on the paradox of choice

VS Ramachandran: The neurons that shaped civilization

Imagining the unknown

Drawing of the homunculus inside human spermatozoa by Nicolaas Hartsoeker
1694

The drawing was conceived by Hartsoeker not from what had seen, but what he presumed would be visible if sperm could be adequately viewed.

Memory Portrait

After a busy year working on the Mutations project I feel able to think about new work. During the project I began working with movement, which has opened up new ways of considering the body. With this new focus I want to go re-visit a work I completed several years ago working with my Grandfather, who at 79 is a practicing 3rd Dan, Black Belt in Karate. The work entitled The Rules of Engagement (see below) created a portrait, not only of the individual and the actions but of memory The work, filmed from a static camera documented 11 Wadō-ryū style katas - fighting dances with an invisible opponent.

The practice of the kata and Karate can be viewed as a strive for perfection, for a harmony of body and mind, the attainment of which can only be achieved through repetition. Repetition encodes the action in the body and muscle, making it reflex, making it instinct.

I am interested in exploring proprioception and kinesthetics, the memory of my body, muscle and genes. I am going to work with my Grandfather again, we share genes, will this effect the way we work together? I have asked him to teach me to perform kata. I will attempt to learn from observation, mirroring his actions, perhaps we will have to re-think? I will be attempting to run before I can walk, obviously.

The Rules of Engagement (2006) from Paul Grimmer on Vimeo.

Changeling closes at Globe tomorrow

Changeling
Preview: Thursday June 24th 18:30 - 20:30
Exhibition: Friday June 25th - Saturday August 14th (gallery opening times: Wednesday - Saturday, 11:30 - 17:00)

Globe Gallery
97 Howard Street
North Shields
NE30 1NA

0191 259 2614
info@globe gallery.org

Changeling reviewed in The Journal

Review of on current Globe shows by David Whetstone, download PDF here.