A N E M O / M E T R E
a study of the wind and its interaction with / relation to mindfulness practices and femininity
anemometer /ˌanɪˈmɒmɪtə / a device used for measuring wind speed and direction / anemo / from Greek anemos, wind; breath / metre /ˈmiːtə / the basic rhythmic pattern of beats
0 - CALM
1 - LIGHT AIR
2 - LIGHT BREEZE
3 - GENTLE BREEZE
4 - MODERATE BREEZE
5 - FRESH BREEZE
6 - STRONG BREEZE
7 - MODERATE GALE
8 - FRESH GALE
9 - STRONG GALE
10 - WHOLE GALE
11 - STORM
12 - HURRICANE!
IN PERFORMANCE
The original exhibition of this piece takes inspiration from images of anemometers found in The Ladybird book of The Weather. The hollowed out semi-cylinder and range of movement offered by what was once a chrome bedside lamp, paired with the ring-bound rectangular form of the bookwork itself emulate the scientific instrument and home-made alternative for measuring wind speed pictured in The Weather.
With each copy of 'anemo/metre’ is the invitation to animate the piece from home. Take your book outside (preferably on a windy day!) and find a sturdy twig, long and thin enough to fit through the rings. Hold the book out and watch the pages move with the passing breeze.
I performed sections of ‘anemo/metre’ in the Royal Holloway Picture Gallery as part of the University’s COP26-adjecent programme of talks and readings on issues surrounding the climate crisis titled ‘Picturing the Weather’.
