TALKING KNOTS
Above: Handa an old form of currency used in the Congo made of copper...
I’ve always been interested in the spatialization of ideas or ways in which an idea could literally take up space. As a kid I remember finding out that a sculptural piece that had been stationed on the shelf in the living room was actually an ancient form of African currency. Somehow the idea that a metal object with dimension and heft could be used for trade and exchange was baffling to me. When I think about this piece I think specifically about an object representing its value by way of its materials—copper—and shape/form—two crossed vectors.
String as sculpture
String as writing...
After reading Talking Knots I immediately tried to find an image of the knotted strings. Although I read that the use of color was an important element of the knotting system I was disappointed that I couldn't find more images of colored khipu.
The monochromatic palettte easily reminded me of Eva Hesse. But when I really looked and thought about the comparison the installation of Hesse's work in space as sculpture seemed to be a major distinction. Khipu it seems was read by hand (like braille) and by eye. They seem decidely 2D.
"Binary oppositions were a hallmark of the region's peoples..."
Aesthetic aside, I was also intrigued by the dimensionality and complexity of the Khipu writing system. Comprehension literally seems to enforce a completely different orientation on the part of the reader. I think this very simple idea that context/history/culture changes how you read and understand things was also apparent. The article suggests that it was not until the myriad codes suggested by the textiles themselves were read and historicized did that the myriad meanings of the Khipu were revealed. Or perhaps the significant detail of the reinterpretation of the system lies in the particular orientation of the readers themselves. It seemed striking —and yet not at all surprising —that the updated database of Khipu meanings is a collaboration between the anthropologist Urton and the software developer/weaver/mathematician, Brazine. Apparently It is an interdisciplinary code...
Sheila Pepe's work...
Often crocheted and a web-like organic approach to taking up space. A different secret language of knots...