Wading through the iron River, we discussed the role of the Artist. A proper artist is a Treasure Hunter. What does the treasure look like? That is a question I asked myself as I squinted down through the murky depths into Sheffield's past.
Our eyes locked onto any regular shape or flash of something shiny. Circles always catch the eye. Mostly everything was a dull green brown, even the trout, one of which was so big we felt like the intruders in his territory.
We threw back anything of no value or interest. I realised this process was mostly based on the intrinsic value of materials. Rubbish is defined as plastic, which has done so much harm to the way in which we value things. Plastic usually has negative value, just rubbish on the way to the landfill, cluttering our minds and destroying our natural world.
Below are some River treasures, most of them mystery objects, but please write in the comments if you know what they are!
 | This is a really old stainless steel knife blade. The first stainless knives were made just next to my workshop a couple of minutes from where I found this. The river has ripped into the sharp edge but you can still see this was a classic Sheffield spreading knife. |
Bone...
This was identified by my Dad as an aluminium cover for the engine of a moped.
This seems to be a stone lid...
This was found underneath Skelton Works which sold garden tools, and is possibly the last remaining evidence of four candles by Ronnie and Ronnie.
An Alchemist makes gold out of lead, but I didnt find any lead but I'll see what I can do... Back to the grindstone.
I will make a knife out of a couple of other finds but am already starting my next side project which is about reducing waste plastic and redeveloping the value of an everyday object....
