This series of 4 large cyanotypes (sun prints) were created for the “Cartographies” exhibition as part of the Urban Photo Festival. Sarah mapped her moles as if they were stars in the cosmos. In an attempt to map our place in the larger universe, each work explores a different scientific theory.
Here Be Dragons
The first mapmakers travelled the seas, navigated by the stars and charted what they found. The areas that were unknown were left blank and were labelled “Here Be Dragons”. Every human is a microcosm of that, we all have uncharted territories that are as frightening as dragons.
Drawing Lines in the Sand
This was inspired by Brexit, and how we find our place in the universe by inventing, and defending, imaginary borders. The real borders of our existence are far beyond.
1 Mole = 10²³ Atoms = 10²³ Stars
A Mole is not only a random (and potentially deadly) point on the skin, but it is also a mathematical unit, often used to quantify large numbers of atoms and stars. Dots everywhere form microcosms that are part of the larger macrocosm. That also goes for our own “Pale Blue Dot” world which is encapsulated in these round cyanotypes.
Harmony of The Spheres
Pythagoras established a theory that the planets rotated in spherical orbits, the spheres were thought to be related by the whole-number ratios of pure musical intervals, creating musical harmony. Harmony, heard by Man, ties the body to the universe.
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These prints were made by using the Cyanotype technique of photography that dates back to 1800s. Sarah coated the paper in darkness using a mixture of chemicals. She laid plants, her enlarged negatives, and old maps onto the paper and exposed it to the sun. Prints are developed in water, and have longlasting archival properties. Finally she connected the constellations of moles with drawn lines, and added silver leaf for the planets on ‘Music of The Spheres’.
Sarah Garrod 