The production of this flotilla of ceramic
ships is my latest major project. It involves the hand-crafted production of many small high-fired stoneware vessels modeled
(with some artistic license) after the Viking knorrs or trading ships of the 10th-13th centuries.
The knorr was
a wide, shallow drafting ship that enabled it to be pulled onto shore and to load and unload easily. The Viking development
of the keel greatly improved the stability of ships of that era and in turn gave them greater speed. I have noted that my
small models also exhibit a wonderful stability in rougher waters.
Each of these vessels is
meticulously and individually hand crafted with modeled dragon heads and tails. After thorough drying, a light glaze is sprayed
onto the exterior surfaces and then high-fired to 2200° F./1200°C. The mast of the vessel is made from a small bamboo culm
for strength, while the air space between the nodes (branching intersections) serves as additional buoyancy. The bamboo mast
also maintains a natural water repellency with its exterior waxy surface. The vessels are masted with colorful hand-sewn nylon
sails (corporate sponsor's names/logos silkscreened thereon) that are lashed to the masts and boats using monofilament line.
After glazing and firing, the ships are assembled with the masts and sails and tested for water
tightness, and documented with individual data recorded (size, weight, narrative description) and photographed.
After the fleet of Dragon Boats are built, they will be put on public exhibition at two (as yet undetermined)
galleries in Sweden and possibly one exhibition prior to launching from the Canary islands, off the northwest coast of Africa.
The flotilla of vessels will be carried westward by the same everpresent tradewinds
that were responsible for carrying Columbus and the succession of European explorers and trading ships to the Americas.
Ownership of
the found vessels will be transferred from the artist to the person(s) discovering the vessel upon notification of said discovery,
as they wash up on the shores of the Western Hemisphere .
Discoverers will be eligible for a reward for
the information of the discovery (time, date, place, etc.). Boats may also acquire additional value to collectors if those
person(s) discovering them desire to sell.
Upon the discovery of six or more vessels remaining in reasonably
good condition, additional public exhibitions will be scheduled in two major American galleries/museums. Ownership and sales
rights will be maintained by the new discoverers.
Complete rules on eligibility and amounts of Discovery
Awards can be received in PDF format via e-mail or through snail-mail, upon request.
