Lachesis 2009

Enacted at The Space Between The Crypt, St. Pancras Church, Euston Road, London, June 2009.

Camera obscura and mixed media

Photography: Amanda Couch

At the end of a dim corridor, though two pairs of heavy curtains, the viewer enters the small dark chamber, alone. Guided by the grain of light offered by the pinhole, they focus their gaze on the projection screen hanging within. Then they wait. They must allow their eyes to become accustomed to the darkness. The absence of light or activity heightens one’s sense of physicality, one’s own presence. Some visitors are unable to stay for very long in this state.

After some time has passed, an image begins to appear, it is inverted, it (per)forms in front of their eyes. Can they make out a form? A blackness with grey details, perhaps a face, hands, forearms?

A bright dot appears. Then dot becomes line, slowly drawn (out) between fingers, a tear in the image. Is it the absence of matter? Of light penetrating the growing cleft from a realm beyond?

The line is made, and stops, still. The figure stares. Then suddenly, the image is gone. The viewer is once more left alone in the darkness. It is only the memory of the image that offers the comfort of a ‘something’ in the midst of nothingness.

      When Lachesis is not enacted the camera is lit inside. Texts are pinned to the projection screen written by Louisa Elderton and Jonathan Houlding documenting their experiences of Lachesis. 

Lachesis is one of the three Greek Fates or Moirae. She is the disposer of lots, also known as the apportioner. In this piece, she measures time in the form a thread of light.