How twine changed the course of humanity completely and forever...

'It probably happened like this, some 40,000 years ago… 

Man, might have been a woman, twisted strands of grasses together and made twine for the first time. Cording was invented. The twine made was used to tie sticks together, then longer lengths of it woven together to make coiled baskets. Where grasses were not so abundant other plant materials were used such as bamboo in Asia, willow in Europe or palm fronds in the Pacific. With the use of different materials, techniques were adapted to make the most of these such as plaiting, stake and stand and numerous other weaving techniques from basketry to textiles.

The use of baskets was revolutionary. With their use, communities were able to switch from hunting and gathering to a more agrarian and sedentary way of life. For the first time food stuff, grain and other goods could now be stored, transported and exchanged; basketry (and making twine) led to advent of trade and commerce.'

- inspired by a conversation with Eva Sajovic talking about reason for wanting to show a large piece of rope made from corded waste plastic at Danielle Arnaud Gallery next year, as well as Barry Flanagan's work currently exhibited in the Duveen Gallery, Tate Britain.
 

 

 (Photos above are included in the cording chapter of Practical Basketry Techniques) 

time to talk

A few photos taken when Eva Sajovic and Corinne Silva paid me a visit in my old studio in New Cross, wanting help with casting Jaffa oranges for a project they are working on in Jordan. While the moulds were setting, Eva and I joined and cupped our hands for Corinne to pour plaster in. 

The plaster started to set and heat up while we stood still and faced each other. When it started cooling was an indicator it was set and we released our hands.

During the time it took for this to happen, roughly 15minutes, we discussed the possibility doing this as an activity for the pilot event at Tate Exchange of Unearthing, a collaborative project between The People’s Bureau and me. Strangers would commit to holding hands while waiting for the mould to set, prompting conversations that would be recorded. Off now to find the images of the actual event...