CONTAINMENT

 CONTAINMENT

From the initial visit to Saltaire, the concept of containment stood out for me.  The man-made containers and structures of the allotments, waste management and the self-contained village for the workers of the mill.  I created my list of associated words in a grid-like structure in itself, complete with fences.

The grid concept continued to occupy my thoughts for the project.  This piece by Gwen Hedley was also piquing my interest.

containment

 

CONTAINMENT

 

I jotted down some ideas and thoughts that I had around the theme of containment and containers.  It seems they have different meanings. Containment meaning restriction and containers obviously being vessels to contain. 

I considered my own interpretations based upon my observations and wrote each word in its own contained space, creating a wall of irregular sized bricks. I added fences too, as these were prominent in the allotment space.

The more words I added, the more I noticed a latticed structure emerging.  I wanted to highlight the boundaries as I wanted to consider the pathways that criss-cross through the allotments,  

This might be an idea to explore.  It lends itself to weave structures or could be something I can create using a sewing machine and dissolvable fabric.

 

I also had a good think about what the word habitat means to me.

 

 

My favourite words to come out from this were Nurturing places, Growth, Family, Space.

 The Project brief says

Habitat

‘Habitat: the natural home or environment of an animal, plant, or other organism.'

I found conflict in man-made versus 'natural' habitat. A natural birds nest is a messy but definitive bowl of twigs and feathers, yet man provides a neat square box with a neat hole for the right bird.  A bees nest might hang in a globular irregular shape from a tree branch, yet here at the allotment the bees were contained in high boxes made of stacked wooden planks. 

 

The natural nests of the birds and bees would require the structured foundation of a tree, but on the allotments, square or rectangular boxes made of wood provide the adequate space for both these animal species to live comfortably and safely.

I was also aware that the houses were piquing my interest too, particularly the windows and their illumination.  I consider the function of the house as a place for family, support and home.

Saltaire Habitat art project - initial visit.

14th January 2023

Arriving early at Salts Mill in Saltaire was an opportunity to explore the exterior area of the colossal stone building.  I noticed that a row of arched windows dominate the length of the wall and these were a feature to be found later elsewhere in all the surrounding houses.

Small square doors positioned high on the walls and cubby holes invite my wonder as to what purpose they served when the mill was in operation.  

The green on the stone was a striking colour accent in this space of limited light that caught my eye also.

"On stone and timber features lichens and moss can be very attractive and give a mature look to the garden. Such growths do not harm the surfaces on which they grow, and are a natural part of the garden ecosystem. 

Where growths of algae, moss, lichens and liverworts present no hazard, such as on stone sculptures and features, gardeners are encouraged to allow them to flourish. Their appearance signifies a mature garden, blends in harsh stonework to the environment, and adds to the biodiversity of the garden. Indeed, in rural areas it is possible that gardens could harbour very rare species of lichen." (RHS website on Algae, Lichens and Liverworts)

The Canalside Allotments

A group visit to the canalside allotments was led by Peter. (via a brief stop at the church where Sir Titus Salt is buried.)  

The allotments clearly provide an outdoor, 'natural' habitat for all kinds of creatures, plants and people and here I noticed many containers and contained spaces to support everything and everyone that uses
this area.  There were sheds, greenhouses, plant containers, water containers, bird boxes, beehive boxes.  All of which were segregated by wooden fences of different designs or hedges. 

 

                       

         

A super quick sketch of some of the elements of the allotments that I observed.  The colours, territories, boundaries, pathways and buildings.

NO THROUGH WAY

Back streets and more containers.  Waste management, which is appropriate for the this task on sustainable textile practice.

What can I create with the resources available to me and reflect the habitat of Saltaire?