Architrave, 2016
Curious Body
Reframing masculinity within a porcelain architrave.
I wanted to create a physical structure, that acted as a conceptual framework, within which masculinity could be performed and projected. Members of the public were invited to wear a chain and ‘perform their masculinity’ within the frame.
I also wanted to bring attention to how military action underpins our construction of masculinity, public architecture, and the resources we have access to in our daily lives.
I chose the architectural detail of the Fascis, a reoccurring motif in London’s architecture, as the starting point for my interrogation. A Fascis is a bundle of sticks tied together, sometimes around an axe, and was a symbol of civic authority backed by military power in ancient Rome. This was a popular symbol of unity and order, especially during the neoclassical period, before it became the symbol for Italy’s Fascist party.
I first became aware of this symbol during school assemblies at Wynberg Boy’s High School.
A teacher would dutifully demonstrate that a single stick can be easily broken, but that a bundle of sticks remains strong together. Fascis can also be translated as faggot, a bundle of sticks used to ignite a fire, and subsequently a gay slur with an inherent death threat alluding to the burning of homosexuals.
Curious Body presents the work of Abigail Schama, Patrick Smith and William Martin; focusing on themes of function, dysfunction and the body. Fortnightly openings feature guest artists and new work to expand the core concept of the Curious Body.
Press Release
Founding Artists: Abigail Schama, Patrick Smith, Will Martin
Quest Artists: Mark Woods, Mariana Bisti, Liam Leslie, Jabulani Maseko, Konstantinos Papacharalampos, Mark Rayner, Jayne Wilton.
Quest Curator: David Rosenberg
Sponsors: Novacastrian