If the stitches hold everything together, then, it seems logical in this process of deconstruction/reconstruction, that I take these things apart.
Selection… which do I remove?
Which do I remove in order to show what they do?
The disembroidery was slapdash, violent, haphazard, disorganised… despite my efforts to be otherwise.
(and that in the end, was its undoing)
I have to be more careful with this, be sure that the minuscule stitches, made by an anonymous needlewoman, approximately 40 years ago… maybe a bit longer… are removed judiciously.
The ones that remain must say something about their state… their purpose.
Then of course, what about the stitches that I add?
I want them to stabilise the remaining fabric… hold decay in abeyance… immobilise… keep in check…
They cannot hold back the decay indefinitely. The fabric is worn, faded, struck by sun, rotting, attacked by moths in places, torn.
Some parts are more fragile than others, supported and surrounded by those stronger…
Stitches hold everything together.
I can reinforce, strengthen by adding more stitches, more fabric. But by doing so I also obscure… I also deny original purpose. By wanting to protect do I hasten the decay?
Deconstruct/reconstruct
Degenerate/regenerate
Re-appropriate?
Reassign purpose?
Art or vandalism?
What do you reckon, Bo?
