GLOG-RINNIN

Glog-Rinnin is an audio visual exploration by: Rachael Horsburgh, Henri Macaulay, and Carolanne King exploring the relationship between contemporary art and Archaeology. The project began through discussions of what links us as individuals in terms of our particular archaeology and art interests. These discussions brought to the fore ideas of recording sound as a means of capturing ephemeral and intangible archaeology (things that were short lived or are difficult to define as they are feelings generated by places, concepts and ideas rather than physical remains).

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From this came the idea of collecting and recording the sounds of our local environments. In part the visual inspiration for our idea came from Christian Marclay’sinstallation“the Clock. Part of archaeology is about bringing the past into the present. This got us thinking about time cycles, flow, and loops with the visual element of the circle and the flow of water as central themes. Water is common to the local environment of each team member and its sounds an integral element of those environments. These cycles and loops were represented by sound and music based on the rhythms of the human heart. Images and films were woven together with the audio pieces to create a looping film including personal elements from each members location. A further connection was added by including both a singular image of the February 2021 full moon, taken from our three separate locations at the same time, and also a close up image of our left eye.

 

Further research went into the powerful symbol of the circle. Used in many cultures and throughout art history it is still a primary element in contemporary art as represented in the very different works of Richard Long and Yayoi Kusama. Ultimately derived from nature, it brings with it concepts of sacred geometry, perfection, unity, the infinite and cycles of time and life. It encompasses, encircles, enfolds and centers things. The turning of the circle generates sounds that become symbolic in themselves. The team all have circles in their environment whether it be rock art of Scotland, the wheels of industrial Manchester; the mortar in the kitchen or the pattern of rain on a puddle.