I spent some time drawing axe heads in the Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford and then found an interesting essay by Herbert Read in The Origins of Form in Art. He talks about early human artefacts such as these passing through three stages of evolution towards the creation of art. First, the conception of the object as a tool. Second, the making and refinement of the tool to a point of maximum efficiency. Third, the refinement of the tool beyond the point of maximum efficiency towards a conception of form-in-itself, i.e. aesthetic form. Axe heads started to respond to a spiritual need.
This interests me because I am still thinking about the development of form. I like the idea that form hits peaks or troughs of efficiency during the course of its evolution and how much chance plays its part. I also like the idea that objects exist as a variation on a theme and that they have lineage. I’m thinking of natural or utilitarian objects such as boats, hammers, snail shells, etc. where there are many variations in design. The results are modified by material and structure.
I try to think about this system of selection and development in order to make the ultimate refinement to whatever I am working on. Thinking in this way helped me to rationalise my latest studio work proposal and form the basis for the objects that I intend to make in the next few weeks.
