Device for birdwatching

Birch plywood, textiles.

6 ft. x 26 in. x 8 ft.

Two tubular, 8-sided, tapering sections are each densely covered with knotted, woven, and tied fabric both inside and outside. Light comes in through the sides and down from the top because of the translucency and spacing of the fabrics. The ends are like portholes, allowing a view of the inner section. The title comes from the twin tubes of binoculars used for birdwatching– but these viewing tubes are focused on themselves and the viewer peering in at one side. The ‘device’ of the title comes from the idea of sculpture as a functional object– a device for seeing.