THE CORN DOLLY TRIPTYCH
At some point in human history, the indigenous Western cornerstones of spirituality were overwritten and committed to myth. These myths, which were imprinted generation after generation by the collective unconscious, developed social structure event symbols that were then ingrained into the human psyche and defined by archetypes. The corn dolly is one such symbol that continues to inspire unity, continuity, connectivity, reverence and awe. Over thousands of years of evolution, the corn dolly continues its relevancy in world cultural communities as an effigy annually celebrated during the harvest at Lughnasadh.
The Corn Dolly Triptych follows the Corn Dollys' evolution over four thousand years through thousands of miles of the terrane. Banks of the Nile River, over the Pyrénées, across the mystic islands of the Atlantic into the future. These three-meter-tall goddesses reside in the Temple of the Harvest, the Harvestum. In attendance at the Harvestum are members of the Cult of the Corn Dolly, ushering the way for pilgrims and worshippers from far and wide. The Harvestum is a sanctuary of visual delight, and wonders explored through light, scent, sound and atmospheric techniques, transporting the viewer to a place of reverence and connection. Tugging at the collective peripheral memories of primal ritual and our instinctual desire to connect with nature sets the tone of the Harvestum, facilitating an opportunity for the viewer to experience a deep sense of empathy in a nourishing and safe environment.
A friend had suggested an ancient shared ritual, hybridized from many places and times, and turned to the particular frequency of here, in an effort to ease her increasing debilitation and paralysis. Her friends set to work, in a gesture of care and solidarity, firstly gathering straw from many places and then learning the craft of thatching. Building straw to benevolent giants, towering goddesses that heal and cure. As her episodes became more ferocious and brutal, their work rate quickened and the goddesses grew to ten feet tall.
excerpt from: áit ait - strange place along the N67 by Laura Ni Fhlaibhín
Technical details
THE CORN DOLLY TRIPTYCH
ORIGINAL TITLE:
THE CORN DOLLY TRIPTYCH
REGISTRATION NUMBER:
S0005
ARTIST:
LETITIA HILL
DATE CREATED:
2019-2021
OBJECT TYPE:
Immersive Installation
MEDIA:
Mixed media installation including Straw, Water Reed, Metal, Dyes, Sound, Scent, Ground Fog Machine, Contemplation Bench, 100 LED Candles and Pinspots. Wall Paint: #16122b
DIMENSIONS:
The Corn Dolly Triptych - Renenutet
304.8cm height x 76.2cm width (120" height x 30" width)
The Corn Dolly Triptych - Tailtiu
304.8cm height x 76.2cm width (120" height x 30" width)
The Corn Dolly Triptych - AKA Robot Maria
304.8cm height x 76.2cm width (120" height x 30" width)
CREDITS:
Thatcher: Tomas Collins | Irish Reed Supply Co.
Design Consultant: Deirdre Dwyer
Carpenter: Tom Elwood at Woodcut
Master Thatcher: Dave Gallery
Sound Consultant: Ling Liu
Blacksmith: Tom Reardon
The Dream Team
COPYRIGHT:
©LETITIA HILL, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED