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Hand wash position 6
Collection:CSM Museum & Study Collection
Date: 2020
Artist: Jo Harrison-Hall
Dimensions:
79 × 28 × 29 mm (7.9 × 2.8 × 2.9 cm)
Medium: hand carved soapstone
Object number: J.2020.114.CC
DescriptionDescription of object
Carved stone hand washing jewellery piece.
Hand wash position 6 is part of a series of pieces created during an ongoing investigation into the fear of contamination.
This research was fuelled by my own personal experiences with germaphobia and fears of contamination as I wanted to fully interrogate these feelings, their origins and the rituals we adopt to protect ourselves.
Ideas surrounding dirt have many connotations, from visible grime and muck to immorality. When germ theory arose in the 19th Century, the embodiment of dirt became an invisible enemy, we live in a metaphorical war with germs.
We are taught to maintain health and cleanliness. Hygiene theories dictate our societies, environments and our behaviour.
A few months into this enquiry the world was plunged into the Coronavirus pandemic and the anxiety surrounding the spread of this illness. Now, more than ever, we are all hyper aware of hygiene practices and how the sensation of ‘feeling clean’ can be felt physically and mentally.
One of the obvious ways society teaches us to prevent contamination is hand washing. We are taught specific positions through posters and videos, in response to this dogma, I have created a series of sculptures using soapstone and alabaster that place our hands in these positions when we interact with them.
These objects seem calming and meditative - much like how hand washing soothes our fears of germs.
Carved stone hand washing jewellery piece.
Hand wash position 6 is part of a series of pieces created during an ongoing investigation into the fear of contamination.
This research was fuelled by my own personal experiences with germaphobia and fears of contamination as I wanted to fully interrogate these feelings, their origins and the rituals we adopt to protect ourselves.
Ideas surrounding dirt have many connotations, from visible grime and muck to immorality. When germ theory arose in the 19th Century, the embodiment of dirt became an invisible enemy, we live in a metaphorical war with germs.
We are taught to maintain health and cleanliness. Hygiene theories dictate our societies, environments and our behaviour.
A few months into this enquiry the world was plunged into the Coronavirus pandemic and the anxiety surrounding the spread of this illness. Now, more than ever, we are all hyper aware of hygiene practices and how the sensation of ‘feeling clean’ can be felt physically and mentally.
One of the obvious ways society teaches us to prevent contamination is hand washing. We are taught specific positions through posters and videos, in response to this dogma, I have created a series of sculptures using soapstone and alabaster that place our hands in these positions when we interact with them.
These objects seem calming and meditative - much like how hand washing soothes our fears of germs.