Wanda Gillespie, A Counting Frame for a Transient Era (ART & OBJECTS 2024)

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Wanda Gillespie

Over the past decade I have established a unique practice centred on the form of the abacus. With my bespoke interpretations of this ancient counting instrument, I explore systems of value and how, within them, the material and the sacred become entwined. Counting Frames for a Transient Era serves as a tool for reflecting upon our ever-changing era. It acknowledges that as humanity embarks on a transformative journey into a new epoch, we must re-evaluate our traditional methods of accounting and assessing what holds value. These frames were conceived amidst the fluctuations of time between lockdowns. The central hourglass design within the rod work symbolizes this temporal fluidity and the current era of transition. It juxtaposes the conventional, linear perception of time with the profound, evolutionary timescales embedded in its materials. Counting Frames for a Transient Era invites contemplation of the dynamic nature of our shifting changing world. Materials: Rata and Walnut frame with splines, Walnut geometric chip carved stand with Totara veneer, anodised aluminium, wooden beads. Dimensions: 420 x 309 x 47mm

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