Abstract

Copper and bronze were the earliest metals to be worked into pliable shapes. This allowed the development of metal tools, but also the audacious creation of moulded statues with the form of living humans. Laurence is a master of these complicated ancient processes. Having heated the kiln over several days before our arrival to cook the moulds, he will fire up the furnace on the day and pour the red-hot metal in front of our eyes.

Members of our group will contribute brief thoughts about metalworkers and other shape-shifters: – Prudence Jones will talk about the mythology of bronze in ancient Mesopotamia. – Zoya Tarasova will talk about the magical properties of blacksmiths and shamans in Siberia. – Paul Connerton will introduce the book “The dream of the moving statue” by Kenneth Gross. – Richard Spaul (InSitu Theatre Company) will turn into a succession of different persons.

We need to know numbers, and make sure that everyone has a way of getting there. Please contact this e-mail address to request or offer a lift (or to confirm that you will go by train and cycle the last few miles). Contributions to the barbeque gratefully accepted. If numbers threaten to become too great, priority will be given to Magic Circle regulars.

Time: 2.30pm till early evening (including barbecue on a giant metal disc). See: http://www.globo.org.uk/laurenceedwards.html