Hamish Black

Description

Objects of identical volume may differ greatly in shape or surface area. A book when opened looks different and reveals more surface than it does when closed. If the cover is soft, the appearance changes when the volume is rolled. Through this simple act, supplemented by cutting and shaping, Hamish Black transformed a single copy of the Yellow Pages directory into a maquette which lies at the foundation of YP1. Black took the directory and eased it into a shape which in horizontal cross-section made a key-hole. The pages splayed like mushroom gills, close at the centre, further apart at the outer edges.

Black's choice of brass for the enlarged sculpture is a playful acknowledgement of the colour of the directory's pages. When newly made the polished metal reflected, one sheet facing the next as in a hall of mirrors and produced an impression of light glowing from within. The opposite was true of the book maquette where the innner more densely packed paper, caused the centre to appear dark.

Enlarged to a size where most people have to stand on tip-toe to look into the central cavity, shaped as a key-hole, helps to clarify our perception of the outer shape. Slowly, by looking at YP1 from all angles, tha mabiguous form becomes clear. The way that Black has defined shape, volume, colour, texture and tone in this sculpture demonstrates that the most simple activity - that of rolling paper and cutting it - can evolve into an object of beauty and certain curiosity. Here is a sculpture that is constructed, but which results from carving. It is a form that speaks of volume, yet is fragile, one that indicates lightness but is heavy. YP1 communicates new messages from those in the source document, although both can be read.

Play on meaning, hinted through visual metaphor is part of the pleasure of looking at sculpture; the more we find, the more rewarding the visual and intellectual experience. Other maquettes in this series are formed into a bell, book and candle, bottle shapes and all manner of different profiles. The key-hole which invites looking and understanding of the artists' intentions is a natural first choice.