A 5’2”freestanding Cylinder from used train tickets, has been built by the artist Foster at the Bethnal Green library London E2.
The tickets were laid systematically in loops one on top of the other without the aid of glue. A surprising amount of meditative concerntration was required, being completely absorbing, for it was only possible to think about the action, one clumsy move and many days work would of been no more.
During the past three years I have been exploring the path of the commuter through drawing and sculpture. Ticket Cylinder evolved out of wanting to make something about impermanence. So I deliberately chose a labour intensive project to create a very simple shape, which on reaching the proposed height will be pushed, pulled, teased and coaxed until collapsing. Then left in its fallen position for a short time before removed. This piece being constantly in flux and only complete once it is no more.
The Cylinder has been made from the inside out, the outside reflecting the inside, but quite different. The wall of the Cylinder is a map of the making, which I see as a sort of Richter scale; a scale of what can not be seen, yet housing all the thoughts and experiences encountered along the way. Set in direct opposition to its surroundings, the Bethnal Green Library, the Cylinder is a continual wall of thoughts with no words.
Alongside the work is a film of the construction- more than a straightforward documentary- a template for future work.
The knock down was 12noon 2nd December 2007.
I am looking for other venues to have the Ticket Cylinder built, please contact Foster if interested foster@ticketcylinder.com
