Crypt Show
Once We Dwelled In A Cave
Crypt gallery is an unusual space and we agreed on poetic theme, In the shadows of subterranean river. The theme reminded me of Bachelard’s text on Water and Dreams, especially his writing about invisible presence aroused at waterside in the dark, sense of cold vapour, drowning in the limit of seeing.
Since my interest is in interpreting space rather than sensing fluidity, it comes to me as the image of limestone cave.
In my psyche, wondering in the limestone cave is a resonant imagery of what Gaston Bachelard shows in his poetic writings. It has image of shelter, a glimpse of light in the dark, cold air with the sound of water. It is the place where everything is vaguely shows their shape. Also the shape contains memory of the cave and mine, and it transforms little by little in every second.
My first plan was floor based, column-like structure in my interpretation of cave space. I imagined a conglomerate of wood and plastic structure with plaster as if it grows from ceilings. However, I needed to consider how to manage time, material collecting and transportation. Furthermore, the ceiling is not even and each section is in different height. I couldn't measure the height of column to reach the ceiling.
I decided to use recycled wood in wood workshop which is the most accessible material and my favorite. I just started to draw my impression about cave in my mind and make wooden pieces without technical concern. I made 5 wooden structures for the beginning and carried on with the thinking of wondering in a cave. I also imagined making things in my shelter as it is my own cave.
While I choose wood for my small structures, I saw some of them already varnished or painted. Some had nail marks, worn out edges. Each is different kind of wood and has contained its own colours as its memory. I didn't need to paint them again. Finding wood and cut-and-gluing them are the same process as I decide colour and paint on blank paper. In this stage, I planned to do 3D work with less painting or without painting.