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Notes
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Title
The Spark Catchers
Date
c.2012
Medium
wood
Measurements
H 250 x W 250 x D 250 cm (E)
Accession number
E20_TJ_S160
Acquisition method
commissioned by the Olympic Development Authority for the 2012 Olympics
Work type
Building
Work status
extant
Access
at all times
Inscription description
cube side 1: Tide twists on the Thames and lifts the Lea to the brim of Bow / where shoals of sirens work by way of the waves / At the fire factory the fortress of flames / In todal shifts East London lampades made / millions of matches that lit candles for the well to do / and the neer do-well to do alike. Strike. / The greatest threat to their lives was / the sulferous spite filled spit of diablo / The molten madness of a spark. / They became spark catchers and on the word 'strike' / a parched arched woman would dive / with hand out-stretched to catch the light. / And land like a crouching tiger with fist high. / Holding the malevolent flare tight / 'til it became an ash dot in the palm. Strike. / The women applauded the magnificent grace / The skill it took, the pirouette in mid air, / The precision, perfection and the peace peace. / Beneath stars by the bending bridge of Bow / In the silver sheen of a phosphorous moon. / They practised Spark catching.; side 2: there is a certain / electric / between us / a spark
