Bound, the use of cloth as an interface, exploring boundaries and concepts in relation to site and place

Abstract

Bound was a project in which I identified and wrapped, ancient dead trees across the old counties of Wales. The paper is based upon this series of site-specific temporary interventions in the landscape. The paper examines the work and contextualises it against the framework of land and environment artwork. I demonstrate the role of temporary site responsive artwork using cloth and the language of textiles in rural environments in increasing an awareness of natural forms and raising questions of land use, ownership and boundaries. ‘Bound’ refers to the activity of ‘wrapping’ as well as to ‘Boundaries’, and this paper explores the act of binding and the power of cloth to communicate, and to connect people to place. This paper also draws upon the aesthetics, concepts and concerns of working with cloth in the 'environment', and the tacit understanding of how humans relate to cloth in the success of the artwork. The paper touches on the potential of cloth to explore politics of the environment and land. I draw on the work of other artists in particular Jeanne Claude and Christo. Finally I address future development of this work and the power of textile language to communicate ideas through the making of a new commission of art in the landscape in Darning the Land: Seam.