Gerhardt Knodel








Migrating Values


Beginning in 2018 discovery of a silk tapestry fragment became the source for a four year journey. The silk textile made in Ming Dynasty China reflected long traditions of appreciation for signs and symbols that negotiate with unseen forces. Details of the tapestry fused with unexpected additions. The “new” was found on the edges of the past, discovered as in playing the game Exquisite Corpse.

Destiny 1



Destiny 2




Destiny 3


It Had To Be You:

Genomia
Inevitabilia



Legacia
Marvolia



By products of process




Things That Get Caught In Trees After A Storm




The 17th century textile fragment was made in China, but never used there. Instead, it boarded a Portuguese ship destined for Lisbon, and was ultimately sold as a rare, exotic and very desirable product. The textile “migrated” from one culture to another, transferring aesthetic values, a coincidence with contemporary human migration occurring today in many parts of the world. Cultural values travel with displaced people.


Flower Powered: Embarkation




Flower Powered: Anticipation at Sea






Flower Powered: Projecting Potential




Migration inspires imagination. One finds strength in imaginary forces that accompany boats on the surface of dark oceans propelled forward by the wind and currents, infecting the sky with optimism, the driving force of living things, overcoming doubt.

Minglings:

Hui
Hun
Ling
Mu
Chin
Kuo
Fa
Dong
Hai
Shui
Zugang
Wei
Cheng
Jim
Ju-Long


Homecoming




Port To Port: Invocation On Water’s Edge.





© 2023
Gerhardt Knodel