The work that I submitted for the Blind Art "Sense and Sensibility Exhibition" of 2006, and which received the show's BlindArt foundation purchase prize was "
Quipu II"
Quipu II is a reenvisioning of the London Underground map using knotted string. Each line is a piece of knotted nylon string whose colour matches the original colour of the line in the classic map. The knots represent stations, with multiple knots representing the termini. Where there's an interchange, the lines are knotted together. Different lines are given different textures by different patterns of lacquering. The whole network of strings is stretched like a web across a red frame that echos the London Underground symbol (with a thick rope running across it representing the Thames)
I first thought of Quipu as a representation suitable for use by the blind- or even thought that one could have a map of this form that one could have rolled up in one's pocket or handbag, feeling out a journey from station to station. I first made a
"Quipu" of the New York subway system, though it was mounted on board under glass, and I was excited to make a new version for the Blind art show where it would actually be touched by visitors to the show.
The name "Quipu" comes from the Incan people of Peru who had no system of writing but kept permanent records by creating quipus which were collections of knotted string. Some of the representations for instance showing accounts of produce, have been partially decoded, but it is also believed that quipus were used for recording stories and lyrics. I've used the same knots as the Incas used, but in a more complicated structure. I was interested in the pieces as experiments in knowledge representation and cartography, as well as being in some ways homages to the London Underground map itself, and "The Great Bear" another work inspired by it.
Recently I was happy to see the piece again when I visited the BlindArt offices in London. I retensioned the suspension, readying it for further exhibitions with the permanent collection.
Andrew Senior's Web Page
The original, New York, Quipu:
