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In August 2013 we set sail from Stromness on our second Sea Change expedition, aboard Lerwick community boat The Swan, with a crew of 27 artists, scientists and informers. More ›

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Stone Cut Runes…

Thurso

about 4pm
Monday 19 August – a retrospective diary entry

I found the museum.  I found two standing stones.  Stone cut runes.  And I found this…

to watch the dawn sweep over
a flat grey horizon
that is a stone cut rune
to put your mark on the morning’s silence
that is a stone cut rune 
 
to fish for meaning
in the sea of the air
that is a stone cut rune

– George Gunn

Any journey plans I had, changed.  Right at the start.  What were the plans?  I’ve had a protracted journey by train: Liverpool to Thurso, so far.  Two days, coast to coast.

Off the train – the lines stop.  I arrive in this small, seemingly sleepy harbour town.  This place is a ‘stone cut rune’ written by tides.

As I peramble along the main street, unintentionally I announce my arrival here.  The empty tin water bottle hits my rucksack in time with each step, making a loud but gentle, rhythmic ‘ding’.  Like a song of the rope slowly shivering against the mast of a boat as it waits in harbour, patiently.

Anyway, I found the museum.  I found two standing stones.  Stone cut runes.

In the cafe, in the next room I hear the sound of a small child chortling.  It reminds me of home.  For a moment, I’m moved.

I feel like I’m at the end of something: on the edge of something.  Now, I’m about to cross that space in-between.  A Celt visiting unfamiliar Viking shores.  Now, across into the chase…

JamesBrady_Rune

The Ulbster Pictish Stone, 700 AD/CE

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Author: James Brady

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Joins the expedition for week 1 and 2 Based on the Wirral peninsula coast in Merseyside, James is an interdisciplinary artist, curator and activist. Through his diverse practice he endeavours to reveal creative patterns embodied within our symbiosis with places, environments and natural systems.
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1 Comment

  1. avatar David B says:

    Loved the Stone Cut Rune and sea of air.
    Joining the Swan + company Thursday/Friday and so looking forward to these times and islands. And my own fishy meaning.
    David

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