15th Pollux Awards, Alternative Processes, Honourable Mention
Cast explores magical beliefs about the sea through Cynaotype images of fishing implements. In fishing, the word cast means to throw the hooked and baited end of a fishing line out into the water. In magic, the same word is understood as to cause a spell to take effect.
Humans have traditionally sought witchcraft to impact the sea, from controlling the winds and weather or the ability of fishers to influence their catches, to complete power of the tides and the moon.
The ancient Cyanotype process, with its brilliant blue tones and deceptive depth of field, evokes the beauty and mystery of the ocean. Gestural application of the sensitising materials and exposed interaction with the elements enables unsharp and ethereal impressions of the objects. The light surrounding the item emits a liminal, spectral presence or trace on the surface of the paper. The result hovers between artefact and magical experience.
The ocean is regarded as symbolic of the unconscious or the waters of life. In practical terms, fishing remains the principal livelihood for millions of people around the world. While the work explores the objects in a mythical way it is also an opportunity to reassess our relationship to the sea and marine life.