Hinging on Seeing
A heap of clay hinges
Hinging on Truth (Spoken) and Lies (Heard)
I'm often asked "why the hinge".
I find that both an interesting question and a difficult one because it’s hard for me to verbalize what floats in my head without adequate words and because I seek its meaning with each piece. It boils down and condenses into an understanding about the hinge itself in practical use. In combination with the human form it becomes an exploration of the possibilities and complexities of human nature and relationships.
The hinge is a practical and ingenious piece of hardware that opens and closes both our most personal and public spaces. It’s a pretty simple object and ingenious in design, so useful for our comfort and privacy. What would life be without it? We’d be shoving boards or hanging cloth across openings. I’ve developed a great appreciation for the humble hinge.
The exploration of the hinge in my work boils down to being curious about something and seeing what it brings. Inspiration in this case, was found, in a set of old wooden drawers of salvaged hardware at the wonderful old Hardwick’s Hardware Store in the U District. (The old brick family-run store will be replaced by a modern tower. The back story is sad, so I accept it with regrets.)
It was always such fun to dig through the drawers and try to guess what bits of hardware were for and feel ties to some old house and the people who lived in it; much like our own house and its families with their unknown stories. Over many visits I was drawn back to the drawer of old hinges; fascinating in their variety and character, from tiny to big and fancy to utilitarian. One day, I bought some.
A clay hinge is essential to my way of expression.
I like the idea of my sculpture being made of clay throughout. Entwining different media draws attention to the contrasts and interactions of different materials, adding to and shifting meanings, resulting in something that I do find interesting but also a distraction from an essential core thought. The relationship of materials affects concept: a clay head with a real hinge says something different than with a hinge of clay and a clay head.
Manipulating the clay hinge gives it personality. It becomes a character in the story. For instance, in Hinging on Truth (Spoken) and Lies (Heard) the hinges are like critters grabbing onto mouth and ear - they’re serious and whimsical at the same time; bringing to life an abstract idea.
So, now I'm curious if this helps open the door to understanding "why the hinge" - let me know!
The hinges! ready for a pour of plaster to make the press molds.