Finit

What makes a Bird a Bird? and, On the Subject of Eccentricity

When answering this question, I like to think philosophically. The more obvious answers would be magpies, robins and other such wildlife. However, I always follow the ideas of eccentricity for the simple reason that being normal is boring. Normality is a curse that haunts our culture from the luchtime-sandwich to a social-network page to Z-Factors and jeans. The term "Cliche'" springs to mind. None of these are bad things but they are mediocre, common and therefore boring. So how can we add life to such occurences? Eccentricity is the answer. Notice in the picture above that I have expelled the typical "Hoodie" type of sweatshirt for the somewhat more vibrant waistcoat, felt jacket, pocket watch and tie with only the fact of being indoors causing me to leave out my top-hat. I am not mad (medically speaking) and I understand King Edward is no longer on our throne; I am merely making a protest against mediocrety through a comfortable and smart style of clothing.

To what conclusion am I coming with talk of waistcoats and popular culture? I make a point of my statement:


"...I am merely making a protest against mediocrety..."

So what makes a Bird a Bird?  The answer is not, in my opinion, the obvious magpies and robins for they represent a normal judgement. I think that, philosophically speaking, a bird is a Bird because of its qualities of elegance, beauty and power. Therefore, anything with the qualities of beauty, elegance and power is a Bird. It is for this reason that I decided to base my project on R.J. Mitchel's legendary Spitfire.

The Magpie and the Spitfire are evidently two beings impossible to match. Hence my choice is eccentric to the standard choice of Bird. However they are both equally valid as Birds. It is strange I know! However, that is what makes the Spitfire an eccentric choice.

Stewart L.V

"Carpe diem quam minimum credulo postero." - Horace

Copyright Stewart L.V.

How long is a piece of string?

What makes a bird a bird? My answer is beauty, elegance and power but what we forget is what makes beauty and elegance? Many would say simplicity and it is for this reason that I have made my entire set of wings for my project with simply One material in One technique with One purpose in mind: the humble piece of string.

I take a piece of string- about 6 inches or so in length. I tie a knot. I take another piece of string- also about 6 inches in length- and I tie a knot. I take a piece of string, the most humble of materials, and tie a knot. I take a string, a short string, and tie into it a small knot. I take a piece of string and I tie a knot- ad infinitum. 

The result of this is a beautiful feathery piece which I now coat in thin PVA glue and once dry this provides a quaint and puzzeling board of solid strings. This becomes one of four parts of a wing.

Beauty through purity achieved.

Stewart L.V.

"Carpe diem quam minimum credulo postero" -Horace

Copyright Stewart L.V.