The film below gives a tour Regrouping though verrelic Spires, Xavier's first Large Scale installation Of his verrelic Spires. Displayed at London Metropolitan Library in Whitechapel
What are Verrelic spries? found objects, changed contexts, interpretation, projection, authority and meaning / symbolism of these Verrelic Molds, Verre (fr glass) + Malic see M. Duchamp, Large Glass 1920) = Verrelic. Fitting together, bonding, capabilities possibilities of engagement, safety in numbers, tough but brittle.
These are exercises in creative practices with these materials to familiarize myself visually, neurologically and tangibly with the complex multifaceted objects (glass items). This runs in parallel with my investigations into the processes involved in human learning, in itself an infinitely faceted subject.
These new makings are building on concepts that have been in my mind for a long time, stretching my neural networks (long-term potentiation) around the multitude of shorter neural networks already started. Reflecting the items previous use and making it part of a bigger whole. The project is entering my psyche and this internal dialogue is being aided by the mentoring which has aided my focus down and energize my mind around the subject area.
The aim was to explore the assembly of the glass pieces, incorporating their lines, patterns and facets carrying the authority of the chess pieces they could represent. Working with materials, cleaning, stretching their shapes, deepening my comprehension of the objects, through hands on experiential learning. It was necessary to make these spires to understand / cognate and reflect on, to refine my thinking on these spires.
Selecting the pieces, using them and my choice of objects for their aesthetic spangle and tactile qualities, initially reflected the aesthetics of chess pieces (motivated by my own interest in glass and tactile shape, Duchamp’s decision to abandon painting to play chess and my friendship with Chess International Master Bob Wade OBE / RIP). Can the language of chess, set rules with infinite variations of players and moves as a metaphor for cognition?
Regrouping relates to my project in a number of ways.
Cognitively - making neurological, physical connections and contacts with a number of specific rules in an unfamiliar academic organization.
Academically – seizing a window of opportunity to research and realise the Windows of Opportunity (stained glass windows around the theme of and inspiring human learning processes.) for the University of Understanding in Cohedia’s mind-expanding cityscape (see large canvas).
Physically - as maquettes for chess pieces on public chess boards on the Opening Moves Plaza situated in the mind-expanding cityscape of Cohedia
He has been making Verrelic Spires as glass visualisation of neurons communicating to make a bigger message neurologically. Where light is the metaphor for the ions that drive the metabolic exchange that travels along nerves….
Do take a look at the movie I have put together to document various different installations I have exhibited with the Verrelic Spires.