IMC 2014: Sessions

Interlace, the intertwining of ribbons that are animate or inanimate, is an ubiquitous though mystifying ornamental device handed down to us from classical, Germanic, and Hiberno-Saxon sources.

This is a workshop that accompanies the ‘Imperium Mundi’ series of sessions investigating the various ‘Empires’ structuring the medieval world, both earthly and unearthly, all of which are visually present in the material objects and artefacts produced in medieval milieu. Lacing them together and thus linking them through the visual record is the motif of interlace, which forms a dominant aspect of the grammar of Anglo-Saxon ornament; framing, separating, and encircling. This 4-hour workshop aims to provide in-depth understanding of this motif through practice - hands-on experience being accompanied by a short discussion of the theory and practicalities of constructing interlace patterns.

Participants in the first half of the workshop will explore, through informal drawing, the internal structure of Insular interlace: the all-importance of alternation (over, under, over . . .), and how closed and open strands perform under this stricture. Participants will begin by drawing the figure '6', and go on to explore the impact on alternation of anatomical 3-junctions (one-limb joints) and 4-junctions (two limbs). The main ideas will be illustrated by, and referenced to examples in the corpus. In the second half, participants will explore the other stricture on Insular interlace: symmetry, in its two-dimensional and, to a lesser extent, its three-dimensional forms. The mode of teaching will be as before - practical experiment and illustration from the corpus. The desired learning outcomes from the workshop will be a deeper appreciation of the principles of interlace and enjoyment in applying the knowledge.

Michael Brennan has a professional background in mathematics education and a family background in monumental sculpture in which revival 'Celtic' art figured prominently. His PhD thesis presented a comprehensive theoretical and analytical framework for early medieval interlace. He currently works as a Research Associate with the Trinity Irish Art Research Centre (TRIARC) at Trinity College Dublin, where his work on the structure of interlace in The Lindisfarne Gospels is grant-aided by the British Academy Neil Ker Memorial Fund.

There are no pre-requisites for attending the workshop. All equipment required (including pencils, paper, erasers) will be provided in the workshop. Tea and coffee will be provided during the mid-morning break.

The workshop can only accommodate a limited number of participants. Early booking is strongly recommended. Participants will receive a certificate of attendance on the day.

Fee: £7.50