Dolphin Address 13 2003
July 13th 2003
The last two years, and probably many years before that, there was a straw bale cord with a knot in it, tied to the gate that gave access to Dusty. The knot was to be pulled behind a bent and rusty nail in order to secure the gate. I was touched by the elementary efficiency, the practical technology, based on what common sense can conjure out of the ordinary.
My grandfather was like that, a roof thatcher in the summer and a domiciliary butcher in the winter and a crofter. He passed me his insights in his tool shed. My uncle would mockingly say that grandfather measured everything wit his thumb. That was correct, but he thought in terms of his thumb and what measurement then is closer at hand?
Since 1978 I am a professional sculptor. This sensitivity to tools has led me to explore new techniques, from controlling large irregular volumes and increasing the effectiveness of wood cutting knives to maximal utilization of sandpaper. But it also made me enjoy intelligent interaction with them. In addition to creative inspiration for my sculpturing, tools have always provided that precious down to earth feeling.
This is one of the many reasons I like Ireland: the simple ingenuity and the multitude of taken for granted situations. For instance the green shoulders. In 1994 I wrote:
I pity the may thorn,
reaching her branches to the heavens.
On one side devoured by the salt of the ocean,
on the other ripped off by the hasty traffic.
Now I understand, in addition to the merciless stone walls, you have the vegetable crash barrier. You can really hang in there (you have to whenever you meet the blockbusters) and there is also something environ-mental about grass and flowers lashing by or even get decoratively stuck behind the rear view mirror.
I think, after all, the highest tech will be between your ears.
Puzzle-builders
In 'East of Eden' one of John Steinbecks characters says that he is interested in religion. Not to believe in, but because it has shaped society for an important part. Insight in religion would lead to a better understanding of society.
But what Religion is to the Sunday, Work is for the rest of the week. So insight in work would also lead to a better understanding of society.
Because in Holland building is an important labor sector, I would like to compare her with her Irish counterpart. Contrary to bricks, in Ireland natural stones were, and are still, used. The major difference is, that, with bricks, work can proceed in an even tempo. The Irish start off with big boulders. This is heavy work, but it makes good progress. Next, fitting stones must be found and put in. This needs proper estimation and preferably a photographic memory for the still not used stones.
On the one hand there is creativity and hesitance, on the other efficiency and lack of imagination. I guess it is what you'd rather be, a Dutchman in Ireland or an Irishman in Holland. Fortunately there is nothing about that in my job description.
Jan Ploeg, Fanore meadow, July 13th 2003
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