| Architecture LIVE 10 |
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| A beautiful load of daub, resembling a giant elephant stool, now resides in the yard. This prods the clay-straw operation into motion. I make a small test panel then watch over this like an anxious parent. |
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| Up on the roof I wrestle the last panel into place, secure it then stand back to admire my handywork. The protective hands of the roof glow in the light, radiating good energy into the space below. This invites formal opening up of this encouraging the flooring and walling work to proceed. This rhythm has its own momentum – first, relief that the roof has been completed, followed by a re-emergence of fear. |
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| The fear begins its encroachment as I labour on the sub-floor – twinges of alarm set off by the weight of the clay-straw test panel. Will the sub-floor be strong enough to bear this weight? What of the moisture – will this cause a problem? What of the approaching winter – will this attack the exposed walls with storm and tempest? Even my dreams are invaded by questions parading in the guise of fear. |
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| During my waking hours I allay as many of these fears as I can, working on the subfloor and talking myself through to a positive place. I also feel the pull of the southern hemisphere working its magic on me, luring me away. This is something of a relief from the funereal atmosphere that has enveloped Ireland. These contrasts between what is and what might be threaten to stretch me to breaking point, invite me to leave my dismembered parts scattered across the globe. |
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| However, for now I am confined to this place which is bathed in gloom. All and sundry seem implicated in the death of the good times. Allied to this is a sense of embarrasment that people actually believed the hype surrounding the boom. There is no other way to explain what is happening. None of this is the slightest bit of use to me. I will simply have to wait until people emerge from hibernation and face reality. Who knows when that might be! |
| Straw is the latest addition to my shopping list. I make a few phone calls which leave me no better off than when I started. The pile of daub in the yard reassures me that the straw will be found to companion it in its new life. Almost daily people add their names to the helpers list. The imminent arrival of Thomas, my erstwhile apprentice, will expedite progress. With the energy building I tighten my seat belt by a few notches. |
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| Out of this assortment of hope, fear and expectation the Invisible Architecture flyer emerges. This is the roadmap which I very much wish to follow. I push it out over the net and await a response. The quiet which surrounds this waiting is cooled by rain and the attention I must pay the EconoSpaceMaking Course. This work takes on the feeling of something from my past being tidied up and packed away. This contrasts with its potential to shape the future. This motor, propelled by opposites spinning invisible threads, winds around me. Caul, shroud or cloak – who knows? Only time will tell. |
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| Architecture LIVE 11 |
| Architecture LIVE 9 |