Object + Paper Multiples - Unoriginal Sins

09 Aug LAND/SEA INDOOR SUNDIAL. 1970.

Posted at 09:28h in Object + Paper Multiples

Edinburgh: Scottish Arts Council, 1970
33.5 × 30.7 × 7.5cm (when assembled) - etched glass, wood and aluminium gnomon in original custom made wooden box (with postal labels still attached) with 15.1 x 28.8cm, 1pp instruction/commentary leaflet by Stephen Bann. A significant early work which is similar in intent to the print LAND / SEA of 1967. The sundial's hour, declination lines and equinox line etched on the glass dial plate are all practical parts of a normal sundial but they serve to also remind one of the sea and a boat's journey across the lines of longitude and latitude as well as a visual pun of a net being cast from the boat and, finally, that of a sail billowing out from the mast.
The number twelve, which is 10˚ East of South according to the instructions, is etched in the glass such that if wished the sundial can work.
The number of these sundials made is not clear - probably not too many - and they are scarce indeed. This example is in VG+ condition and with all the original shipping materials and packing box.

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26 Sep EARTHSHIP. 1965. ONLY 50 MADE; A MAJOR RARITY.

Posted at 22:24h in Object + Paper Multiples

Edinburgh: Wild Hawthorn Press, 1965
31 x 21 x 18cm., printed shoebox content of a paper sculpture made up from 19 printed cards that are stapled together in such a way that the shape can be varied to create "various permutations of the poem depending on arrangement of the organic curved shapes". The work is most probably meant to be placed to resemble a ship at sea. The words all relate to the earth and elements.
This is by far one of the most rare of Finlay object multiples - it is estimated that fewer than 50 were made. The staples after 60 years are very minorly rusted and the outer box lid has one tear along the fold but else this is in remarkable shape.

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