What is it about?

“the event of a thread” was created by visual artist Ann Hamilton and held in Wade Thompson Drill Hall. The main interactive art involved a large piece of Cloth hung in the center, connected to many threads that intersect and attached to the threads are swings for people to sit on. The hall resonates with voices from radios in paper bags scattered around. While in another area, live inscriptions are read to birds contained in cages. Individuals could also write letters addressed to qualities, emotions or faraway places. With so many events happening in the same space, these events were somehow still connected.

Reflection and thoughts

I felt that it was very intelligent of Ann Hamilton to use the idea of a soft flowing piece of cloth to express the idea of connectivity. As people on the swings may not be able to see the domino effect of how each of their actions are correlated. However, the presence of a physical item that shows the continuous rippled movement of the cloth as it sways left and right, rises and dips, clearly shows how a single movement can affect another in the interlaced and ever complex society.

While the address of the inscriptions is echoed through the radio and throughout the hall, it provides a steady rhythm that connects the individuals in the hall together while providing a sense of intimacy via the voice. Despite being a single individual, the sound is being effectively used in this large area to bring the people together, minimizing distance (not physically) but spiritually into a single space.

While showing connectivity, Ann Hamilton also creates an area for reflection, allowing an individual to write letters. As they reflect on the event that is occurring before them as well as their individual lives. The caged birds released at the end of the day also provides a form of comfort and release for both the birds and the viewers as they regain their freedom.

I think what was interesting was that Ann Hamilton, while she studied textile studies, what she has weaved here in this event is not just simply a cloth, but more of a society where we are individualized and yet connected through elements in the exhibition. At the same time, she creates a time and a common space for people to be in. Selecting the right cloth and locations of activities to be placed at becomes crucial as it brings together the idea of a sense of both connectivity and isolation to engage in and reflect upon. While the event and her studies may seem vastly different, she uses her knowledge of textile studies, and implements them into the the event as she weaves the idea of isolation and connection nicely in this common space and time.

References:
http://www.annhamiltonstudio.com/images/projects/armory/Ann_statement_final.pdf
http://www.armoryonpark.org/programs_events/detail/ann_hamilton

Ann Hamilton’s “the event of a thread”
https://www.thisiscolossal.com/2013/01/the-event-of-a-thread/