Palimpsest: Words
ingredients: vintage book cover, vintage book pages, image transfers, found objects, rice paper, vintage mail scraps, bamboo, vintage dress pattern, stitchingpalimpsest -
: writing material (as a parchment or tablet) used one or more times after earlier writing has been erased
: something having usually diverse layers or aspects apparent beneath the surface
I'm not sure how I came across the word 'palimpsest', but since I love to layer things in my art, I found it to be inspiring. So much like life - things covered up but still barely visible underneath. Events, emotions - anything that has affected us is still there beneath the surface, though it may be hard to see. I began to see the word as a metaphor for our lives, particularly where it concerns communication. So much is hidden beneath our words.
“There is something about words. In expert hands, manipulated deftly, they take you prisoner. Wind themselves around your limbs like spider silk, and when you are so enthralled you cannot move, they pierce your skin, enter your blood, numb your thoughts. Inside you they work their magic.”
― Diane Setterfield, The Thirteenth Tale
“Occasionally in life there are those moments of unutterable fulfillment which cannot be completely explained by those symbols called words. Their meanings can only be articulated by the inaudible language of the heart.”
― Martin Luther King Jr.
Inspiring Collage Work!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Sue!
Deletea favourite word beautifully investigated Sharmon
ReplyDeletePenelope Lee 's masters thesis "Codex : code X : a palimpsest reading of the book as a material object in a new media age" from 2005 is very interesting reading and was a wonderful exhibition here in Sydney
http://www.unsworks.unsw.edu.au/primo_library/libweb/action/dlDisplay.do?vid=UNSWORKS&docId=unsworks_751&fromSitemap=1&afterPDS=true
Thanks for the good words, Mo; I'll definitely check out that thesis!
DeleteGreat word! Beautiful collage and inspiring quotes!
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your kind words, Judy; so glad you enjoyed the collage and the quo!tes
DeleteI love that. And I learned a new word today. that's always good.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mary! I agree that learning a new word is always good, too.
DeleteI think this one is a favorite, love red right now and you know palimpsest is my middle name, my art is all about layers. Beautiful! xoxo
ReplyDeleteI tried to reply to this before, Annie, but blogger or my computer wouldn't let me.Yes, you are definitely the queen of palimpsest, which is probably why I like your work so much! Thanks for the kind words.
ReplyDelete